1. Pre-Romanticism 2 nd half of 18 th century witnessed the arise of a new literary movement in Europe, Pre- Romanticism in England. 2 nd half of 18 th century witnessed the arise of a new literary movement in Europe, Pre- Romanticism in England. As a historical period in English literature, the age of Romanticism extends from 1798, when Wordsworth and Coleridge published their Lyrical Ballads, to the 1832s, when all the major Romantic poets were either dead or no longer productive. Romanticism was expressed almost entirely in poetry. As a historical period in English literature, the age of Romanticism extends from 1798, when Wordsworth and Coleridge published their Lyrical Ballads, to the 1832s, when all the major Romantic poets were either dead or no longer productive. Romanticism was expressed almost entirely in poetry.

2. Impetus of Romantic Movement: the French Revolution (its ideals: liberty, equality, fraternity); the Industrial Revolution (with its new class contradiction between the bourgeoisie and the working class and its result, the workers’ struggles breaking out). Impetus of Romantic Movement: the French Revolution (its ideals: liberty, equality, fraternity); the Industrial Revolution (with its new class contradiction between the bourgeoisie and the working class and its result, the workers’ struggles breaking out).

3. Meaning of Romanticism The Romantic Movement, which Victor Hugo calls “liberalism in literature”, is simply the expression of life as seen by the imagination rather than by prosaic “common sense” ， which was the central doctrine of English philosophy in the 18 th century. The Romantic Movement, which Victor Hugo calls “liberalism in literature”, is simply the expression of life as seen by the imagination rather than by prosaic “common sense” ， which was the central doctrine of English philosophy in the 18 th century.

4. As a way of thinking and as an approach to literature, Romanticism is associated with vitality, powerful emotion, limitless and dreamlike ideas; Classicism, by contrast, is associated with order, common sense, and controlled reason. As a way of thinking and as an approach to literature, Romanticism is associated with vitality, powerful emotion, limitless and dreamlike ideas; Classicism, by contrast, is associated with order, common sense, and controlled reason.

5. Special Qualities of Romanticism The spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings. The spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings. The creation of a world of imagination. The creation of a world of imagination. The return to nature for material. The return to nature for material. Sympathy with the humble and glorification of the common place. Sympathy with the humble and glorification of the common place. Emphasis upon the expression of individual genius. Emphasis upon the expression of individual genius.

6. The return to Milton and the Elizabethans for literary models. The return to Milton and the Elizabethans for literary models. The interest in old stories and medieval romances. The interest in old stories and medieval romances. A sense of melancholy and loneliness. A sense of melancholy and loneliness. The rebellious spirit. The rebellious spirit.

7. William Blake (1757-1827) Life Works Appreciation of his works Blake’s position in English literature

8. Blake ’ s Time Line son of a London hosier; son of a London hosier; never went to school; never went to school; at 14, apprenticed to an engraver; at 14, apprenticed to an engraver; then, making a living as an engraver; then, making a living as an engraver; in 1782, married Catherine Boucher, illiterate in 1782, married Catherine Boucher, illiterate in 1793, began to write poems; in 1793, began to write poems; at late age, gave up poetry, turned to painting and engraving; at late age, gave up poetry, turned to painting and engraving; in 1809, put on a one-man exhibition, failure, not understood; in 1809, put on a one-man exhibition, failure, not understood; in 1827, died in obscurity and poverty. in 1827, died in obscurity and poverty.

9. Blake ’ s Works Poetical Sketches ---1783 Poetical Sketches ---1783 Songs of Innocence ---1789 Songs of Innocence ---1789 The Marriage of Heaven and Hell ---1790 The Marriage of Heaven and Hell ---1790 The French Revolution, a Prophecy --- 1791 The French Revolution, a Prophecy --- 1791 Visions of the Daughters of Albion and America, a Prophecy ---1793 Visions of the Daughters of Albion and America, a Prophecy ---1793 Songs of Experiences ---1794 Songs of Experiences ---1794

10. “Songs of Innocence” : simplest language for children; happy condition of a child before knowing pains of existence. ( harmony, light, peace, love); everything in harmony. e.g.[The Lamb] “Songs of Innocence” : simplest language for children; happy condition of a child before knowing pains of existence. ( harmony, light, peace, love); everything in harmony. e.g.[The Lamb]The LambThe Lamb “Songs of Experience”: pictures of neediness and distress; sufferings of the miserable; conscious of “some blind hand” crushing the life of man, as man crushes the fly. ( power of evil, great misery, pain of people’s life, “ the lapsed soul weeping in the evening dew”.) e.g.[The Tiger; The Sick Rose] “Songs of Experience”: pictures of neediness and distress; sufferings of the miserable; conscious of “some blind hand” crushing the life of man, as man crushes the fly. ( power of evil, great misery, pain of people’s life, “ the lapsed soul weeping in the evening dew”.) e.g.[The Tiger; The Sick Rose]The TigerThe Tiger

11. The Lamb The Lamb Little lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee? Gave thee life, and bid thee feed By the stream and o'er the mead; Gave thee clothing of delight, Softest clothing, woolly, bright; Gave thee such a tender voice, Making all the vales rejoice? Little lamb, who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee?

12. Little lamb, I'll tell thee, Little lamb, I'll tell thee: He is called by thy name, For He calls Himself a Lamb. He is meek, and He is mild; He became a little child. I a child, and thou a lamb, We are called by His name. Little lamb, God bless thee!

13. The Tiger Tiger! Tiger! burning bright In the forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye Could frame thy fearful symmetry? In what distant deeps or skies Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand dare seize the fire?

14. And what shoulder, and what art, Could twist the sinews of thy heart? And when thy heart began to beat, What dread hand? and what dread feet? What the hammer? what the chain? In what furnace was thy brain? What the anvil? what dread grasp Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

15. When the stars threw down their spears, And watered heaven with their tears, Did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the Lamb make thee? Tiger! Tiger! burning bright In the forests of the night, What immortal hand or eye Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

16. To See a World To see a world in a grain of sand To see a world in a grain of sand And heaven in a wild flower And heaven in a wild flower Hold infinity in the palm of your hand Hold infinity in the palm of your hand And eternity in a hour. And eternity in a hour.

17. Blake ’ s position in English literature opposed to classical tradition in the 18 th century; opposed to classical tradition in the 18 th century; displaying romantic spirit; “natural sentiment and individual originality are essential to literature creation." displaying romantic spirit; “natural sentiment and individual originality are essential to literature creation." His revolutionary passion goes near to that of Shelley. So Blake is called a Pre-Romantic or a forerunner of the Romantic poetry of the 19 th century. His revolutionary passion goes near to that of Shelley. So Blake is called a Pre-Romantic or a forerunner of the Romantic poetry of the 19 th century.