The Flowering of Romanticism 1798-1832

Beginning of the Period Beginning marked by the publication of Lyrical Ballads by Coleridge and Wordsworth. Most significant historical event of the Romantic period was the French Revolution. Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) French influence, and considered the father of romanticism.

1st edition published in 1798 Lyrical Ballads 1st edition published in 1798 2nd edition published in 1800, contained an extensive preface, written by Wordsworth, but planned with Coleridge became the “real language of men” drew on the powers of ordinary speech

Romantic subjects the natural or commonplace the supernatural or “romantic” Both were treated similarly to make the reader aware of the human mind and emotions.

What does “Romantic” mean? romance - refers to the highly imaginative medieval tales of knightly adventure written in the original Roman (or romance) language: Latin. Not love between a man and a woman as the word is used today.

History-Revolution & Reaction Near the end of the 18th Century, three major revolutions disturbed the English sense of security and well-being The American Revolution The French Revolution The Industrial Revolution

Causes English to see a cry for democracy American Revolution Causes English to see a cry for democracy Loss of the thirteen colonies causes economic loss, loss of prestige and loss of confidence

Napoleon Bonaparte emerges as dictator French Revolution Being at first exhilarating to the idealists and liberals in England, it becomes a disappointment with the “September Massacre” King Louis XVI beheads hundreds with the latest invention the guillotine. Napoleon Bonaparte emerges as dictator

Industrial Revolution Transforms European society violent in its impact on human life James Watt perfected the steam engine in 1765 industries that depended on traditional hand labor were converted into mills and factories where machines did the work.

The Industrial Revolution sharply divided England into two classes 1. Wealthy property owners 2. Poor class of wage earners deprived of virtually all rights and possessions Rich got richer - Poor got poorer (almost virtually wiped out the middle class).

England suffered from lack of leadership Rulers England suffered from lack of leadership King George III 1760-1811 declared insane in 1811 - Son takes over throne from 1811-1820 Prince of Wales who acted as Regent Years of regency - time of lavish social display, indulgence of upper class Regent - one who governs a kingdom in the minority, absence, or disability of the sovereign

Marked by the death of Sir Walter Scott End of the Period Marked by the death of Sir Walter Scott and the passage of the first reform bill in Parliament

Literature - Romantic Writers were affected by the promise and disappointment of the French Revolution were affected by the controlling effects of the Industrial Revolution Romanticism sought to free itself from the rules and standards of eighteenth-century literature and to open up new areas of vision and expression

The Industrial Revolution’s exploitation of the working class underlie the romantic writers’ love of the unspoiled natural world and remote country settings

Literature - Characteristics Emphasized imagination and emotion Concerned with the particulars valued of the individual took a revitalized interest in medieval subjects and settings Most romantic writers saw themselves as reacting against the thought and literary practice of their predecessors

Writers - First Generation of Poets Born before period began Blake Wordsworth Coleridge

Lived most of his life in London He was an engraver and illustrator William Blake 1757-1827 Lived most of his life in London He was an engraver and illustrator Believed innocence and experience were contrary states of the human soul. Spent final years of his life in poverty.

lived longer than any other romantic poet William Wordsworth 1770-1850 lived longer than any other romantic poet felt there was a deep kinship between nature and the soul of humankind greatest nature poet

Samuel Taylor Coleridge 1772-1834 Brought magic to his poetry by including the supernatural Never completed his college degree Briefly served in the military Planned a utopian community in America His addiction to opium ruined his friendship with WW - reconciled later in life

Writers - Second Generation of Poets major inspiration from Wordsworth & Coleridge felt the founders of English had given values to an unjust & reactionary society moral & political disillusionment Byron Shelley Keats

George Gordon, Lord Byron 1788-1824 born of aristocratic family attended prestigious private schools & universities left England because of social pressures against his unconventional personal life died prematurely in distant Mediterranean country Similar lives Byron & Shelley – differences were in their poetic careers

born of aristocratic family Percy Bysshe Shelley 1792-1822 born of aristocratic family attended prestigious private schools & universities left England because of social pressures against his unconventional personal life died prematurely in distant Mediterranean country

Studied medicine at age 15 Youngest of the second generation John Keats 1795-1821 Studied medicine at age 15 Youngest of the second generation first to die of tuberculosis in a distant Mediterranean country Barely 5 feet tall

The End