The Quest for Truth and Beauty The Romantic Period 1798-1832 The Quest for Truth and Beauty

Time line 1776-1786- American Revolution 1785-1815- French Revolution & era of Napoleon Bonaparte 1812- Brothers Grimm 1811- Industrial Revolution in England/ Luddites 1818- Frankenstein 1819- Sir Walter Scott 1831- Charles Darwin 1832- The Right to Vote What is going on historically at this time Luddites- group of artisans who attack weaving machines throughout northern England; today we use the world to mean someone who opposes the development and spread of technology Scott- Ivanhoe Frankenstein in 1818- daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft, her novel questions the aims and methods of science 1832-upper middle class British men get the right to vote

You say you want a revolution? American Revolution French Revolution American revolution 1776-1783- begins the end of worldwide British Empire , Britain’s defeat in American Revolution was a huge economic blow French Revolution and Napoleonic era (1789-1815)- storming Bastille and prison protesting against the oppressive policies of the French monarchy—lots of violent protest during this time in France, King Louis 16 executed in 1793 and rise of Napoleon– a military dictator with world conquering ambitions

Discuss- what vibe does this picture put out Discuss- what vibe does this picture put out? What can you imagine about this guy and what his world is like? What is this man doing? What Romantic elements do you see? Answer- solitary figure in dramatic natural setting, the human wanderer

What’s going on? The Romantic period is PART OF the 18th century (Duh !) as the Romantic period spans from 1798-1832 in England. Typically begins with French Revolution in 1789 and ends with reforms in Parliament in 1832—laying the groundwork for modern England.

The BIG 6 POETS WHO MATTER FOR THE ROMANTIC PERIOD AND TODAY

Born before period began and lived through most or all of the period: William Blake William Wordsworth Samuel Taylor Coleridge Blake- The Tyger, The Lamb, A poison tree Wordsworth- Tintern Abbey Coleridge- Rime of the Ancient Mariner

2nd generation poets begin career by 1820 but dead by 1825 Percy Bysshe Shelley John Keats George Gordon (Lord Byron) Shelley- married Mary Shelley, Ode to the West Wind, Ozymandias Keats- Ode to a Grecian Urn Lord Byron- She walks in Beauty

What does “ROMANTIC” mean? Romanticism rejects the precepts of order, calm, harmony, balance, idealization and rationality that went with classicism in the late 1700s. Romanticism “began” in the late 1770s and spread through Europe by 1820s.

What does “Romantic” mean for us as literary scholars? From “romance” popular during Middle Ages Used elements of romance to go back to older types of writing that were more GENUINE. Today….romance= bad, negative term (literature wise) Remember romance from middle ages—Le Morte D’Arthur--- Romance was a term applied to a verse narrative that traces the adventures of a brave knight or other hero who has to overcome danger for the love of a noble lady or some other high ideal. Set in a world in which the ordinary laws of nature are suspended and idealized heroes fight, and try to conquer the forces of evil.

“Romantic” does NOT translate to love necessarily, but has 3 useful meanings: 1. a child’s sense of wonder Fascination with youth and innocence but not in a creepy way Freshness and wonder of a child’s perspective of the world “new dawn”

2. social idealism cyclical development of human cycles (haven’t we talked about this before?) Question tradition and authority to imagine BETTER way to live (as far as happier, fairer and healthier) Similar to IDEALISM which was popular during the late 1960s through 1975

3. adaptation to change Changing with the times Accepting

Good poetry is the “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” Simple language Common subjects “mind poets” - Wordsworth said this quote at the top of the page - Use of simple, unadorned language to deal with common subjects

To summarize– ROMANTICISM Turned away from 18th century emphasis on REASON Embraced imagination and naturalness Rejection of public, formal and witty works of the previous century Romantic poetry speaks of personal experience, and has simple, unadorned language Turning to a past or dream world to escape from ugly found in Industrial Revolution Belief in individual liberty Sympathy for those who rebel against tyranny Nature as transformative So- A deepened appreciation of the beauties of nature A general exaltation of emotion over reason and senses over intellect A turning in upon self an examination of human personality and moods Preoccupation with genius, hero and being exceptional Focus on passion and inner struggle Artist as creator Emphasis on imagination as gateway to truth Preference for exotic, weird, mysterious, monstrous…..this leads us to mention, that this is the PERFECT TIME for:

This period is the perfect time for

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley