The Romantic Era J.L. Ilsley High School English 12 Eras and Ages

The Romantic Era (or Movement) Began in 1789 with the French Revolution Began in 1789 with the French Revolution The French Revolution was about individual rights, passion, and the poor overthrowing the aristocrats The French Revolution was about individual rights, passion, and the poor overthrowing the aristocrats Lasted until the 1830s Lasted until the 1830s

Ideals of the Revolution One of the ideals of the French Revolution was that all men have rights – not just rich men. This was a brand new idea at the time. One of the ideals of the French Revolution was that all men have rights – not just rich men. This was a brand new idea at the time. During this era, people shook off the restrictive rules of the Age of Reason, and let loose! During this era, people shook off the restrictive rules of the Age of Reason, and let loose!

English Literature During the Romantic Era Early Romantics – Blake, Wordsworth & Coleridge Early Romantics – Blake, Wordsworth & Coleridge Late Romantics – Keats, Byron and Shelley Late Romantics – Keats, Byron and Shelley Blank Verse Blank Verse Worship of nature, more than God Worship of nature, more than God Loved the Supernatural Loved the Supernatural Rules be damned – live life to the fullest Rules be damned – live life to the fullest

William Blake – Songs of Innocence and Experience Descent of Peace and theThe Great Red Dragon and the Adoration of the Child by NatureWoman Clothed with the Sun

Coleridge & Wordsworth - Wrote the Lyrical Ballads - Wrote the Lyrical Ballads - Coleridge was an opium addict - Coleridge was an opium addict - He was also a genius, but he felt like a failure - He was also a genius, but he felt like a failure - He wrote The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan - He wrote The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan

John Keats Poor Poor Sickly Sickly A doctor A doctor Diagnosed his illness Diagnosed his illness Knew he was going to die Knew he was going to die Loved Fanny Brawne Loved Fanny Brawne Wrote Sad poetry, like “Ode on a Grecian Urn” Wrote Sad poetry, like “Ode on a Grecian Urn” Died at 25 Died at 25

Percy Bysshe Shelley Gentleman – he didn’t work Gentleman – he didn’t work Kicked out of Oxford for Atheism (and vegetarianism) Kicked out of Oxford for Atheism (and vegetarianism) Married a 16 year old, but believed in “Free Love” – wanted to invite his buddy into the marriage Married a 16 year old, but believed in “Free Love” – wanted to invite his buddy into the marriage Left his wife and child to have affairs with a pair of sisters – both had his children Left his wife and child to have affairs with a pair of sisters – both had his children Devastated when Keats died. Died on a boat in 1822 Devastated when Keats died. Died on a boat in 1822

George Gordon, Lord Byron (He’ll take a couple of slides!) Wealthy and indulged Wealthy and indulged Father left – raised by his mother, who attempted suicide several times Father left – raised by his mother, who attempted suicide several times Governess used to crawl in his bed and “play tricks with my person.” Governess used to crawl in his bed and “play tricks with my person.” Messed up Messed up Fell in love with two cousins Fell in love with two cousins Claimed to have “adult sexual feelings” at age 8 Claimed to have “adult sexual feelings” at age 8

Byron continued… Fell in love with a 15 year old choirboy. Wore his ring for the rest of his life Fell in love with a 15 year old choirboy. Wore his ring for the rest of his life In 1810 he offered £500 for the hand in marriage of a 12 year old Greek girl. Denied! In 1810 he offered £500 for the hand in marriage of a 12 year old Greek girl. Denied! Had an affair with his (married) half sister. Her baby was probably his Had an affair with his (married) half sister. Her baby was probably his Met up with Shelley and the two sisters. Had a baby with Clair Clairmont. Met up with Shelley and the two sisters. Had a baby with Clair Clairmont.

A bit more on Byron Byron traveled to Venice, where he had affairs with two different married women at once. When they fought, he would sleep in his gondola. (LOL!) Byron traveled to Venice, where he had affairs with two different married women at once. When they fought, he would sleep in his gondola. (LOL!) One of the women threw herself in the canal and drowned after fighting with Byron One of the women threw herself in the canal and drowned after fighting with Byron A true Romantic, he went off to fight for the Greeks in their war for independence from the Ottoman empire. He died of an infection (not an STD, surprisingly.) A true Romantic, he went off to fight for the Greeks in their war for independence from the Ottoman empire. He died of an infection (not an STD, surprisingly.)

She Walks in Beauty She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies;And all that's best of dark and brightMeet in her aspect and her eyesThus mellow'd to that tender lightWhich heaven to gaudy day denies.One shade the more, one ray the less,Had half impair'd the nameless graceWhich waves in every raven tress, Or softly lightens o'er her face;Where thoughts serenely sweet expressHow pure, how dear their dwelling place. And on that cheek, and o'er that bro w, So soft, so calm, yet eloquent, The smiles that win, the tints that gl ow, But tell of days in goodness spent,A mind at peace with all below, A heart whose love is innocent!

So We’ll Go No More A-Roving So, we'll go no more a roving So late into the night, Though the heart be still as loving, And the moon be still as bright. For the sword outwears its sheath, And the soul wears out the breast, And the heart must pause to breathe, And love itself have rest. Though the night was made for loving, And the days return too soon, Yet we'll go no more a roving By the light of the moon.

Works Cited s/bshetley/Pictures/The%20French%20Re volution.jpg s/bshetley/Pictures/The%20French%20Re volution.jpg s/bshetley/Pictures/The%20French%20Re volution.jpg s/bshetley/Pictures/The%20French%20Re volution.jpg phies/Literary/Portraits/ByronPhillips.htm phies/Literary/Portraits/ByronPhillips.htm phies/Literary/Portraits/ByronPhillips.htm phies/Literary/Portraits/ByronPhillips.htm -byron/ -byron/ -byron/ -byron/ oem.asp?id=81 oem.asp?id=81 oem.asp?id=81 oem.asp?id=81