The Romantic Era in British Literature 1798-1832

Romanticism The words Romantic or Romance originally referred to Medieval tales of knights written in the original Roman language - Latin. These tales often included love stories between a knight and his lady - resulting in the modern meaning of romance. When talking about the Romantic Era in literature, we are actually referring to romantic as “freely imaginative fiction” and not romantic as in “romantic love”

Age of Reason vs. Romantic Era In the Romantic Era, Writers stressed: Imagination and Emotion Concern with the particular experience The value of the individual human being The value of freedom In the Age of Reason, Writers stressed: Reason and Judgement Concern with the universal experience The value of society as a whole The value of rules

Characteristics of the Romantic Era 1. Common Man and Childhood over Urban Sophistication Romantics believed in the natural goodness of humans, which is hindered by the urban life of civilization. They believed that the savage is noble, childhood is good and the emotions inspired by both beliefs causes the heart to soar. 2. Emotions over Reason Romantics believed that knowledge is gained through intuition rather than deduction. This is best summed up by Wordsworth who stated that “all good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.”

3. Nature over Artificial Romantics stressed the awe of nature in art and language and the experience of sublimity through a connection with nature. Romantics rejected the ideas of the industrial revolution . 4. The Individual over Society Romantics often elevated the achievements of the misunderstood, heroic individual outcast. 5. Imagination over Logic Romantics legitimized the individual imagination as a critical authority.

Which characteristics of the Romantic Era does this painting evoke? William Turner. Arundel Castle, with Rainbow, 1824

Which characteristics of the Romantic Era does this painting evoke? William Blake, Jacob’s Ladder, 1799-1806 (English)

Which characteristics of the Romantic Era does this painting evoke? John Constable, The White Horse, 1819 (English)

To the Romantics, nature provided the pattern on which to base their creative lives. The Romantics watched as cities grew, industry prospered and farming life declined. In an effort to reclaim nature, the Romantics made it a central force in their lives and their literature. Nature was celebrated as a source of delight, an image of love, and a model of moral perfection.

What Romantic Era themes does this painting evoke? Emotion over reason Individual over society Imagination over logic Natural over artificial John Constable, Dedham Church and Vale, 1800

Five Major Romantic Era Poets William Wordsworth William Blake Lord Byron Percy Shelley John Keats

William Wordsworth Helped to launch the Romantic Age His most famous work is The Prelude chronicles the spiritual life of the poet Has an interest and sympathy for the life and troubles of the “common man” He is considered the nature poet by focusing ordinary people in country settings

William Blake Started writing poetry when he was twelve Blake was a nonconformist who associated with some of the leading radical thinkers of his day He rebelled against traditional poetic forms and techniques He valued imagination over reason

Lord Byron He indulged in excesses and had huge debts and many love affairs His most famous creations are his dark heroes, called Byronic heroes, who, in fact, were not heroes at all, but stood out from ordinary humans as larger than life

Percy Shelley Shelley had a very unconventional life and was very idealistic He was also a radical nonconformist He did not become famous until after his death

John Keats During his life, his poems did not receive favorable reviews by the critics The poetry of Keats is characterized by sensual imagery, most notably in his odes