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

Turbulent Times, Bitter Realities Started with the French Revolution and ended with the Parliamentary reforms A turbulent, revolutionary age England changed from an agricultural society to an industrial nation

The French Revolution Represented the worst fears of the English ruling classes – the overthrow of an anointed king by a democratic mob Ruling classes feared a revolution would start in England

The “New Regime” “September massacre” – hundreds of French aristocrats and some members of the clergy had their heads cut off by the guillotine France and England went to war Napoleon Bonaparte became dictator then emperor of France, but became as ruthless as the executed king himself had been.

The Conservatives Clamp Down England instituted severe repressive measures such as keeping suspected spies or agitators in prison without a trial Romantics clung to their hopes for the “dawn of a new era” through peaceful change

The Industrial Revolution Finds a Foothold England was the first nation to experience the effects of the Industrial Revolution Production (formerly by hand) switched to factories, where machines worked much faster City populations increased (due to factories), resulting in desperate living conditions Land once shared by small farmers was taken over by individual owners, resulting in a large number of landless people, many of whom migrated to cities and/or relied on begging

The Tyranny of Laissez Faire Laissez faire – let people do as they please Government shouldn’t interfere This resulted in the rich growing richer and the poor suffering even more Small children of the poor were often used as beasts of burden (ex. harnessed to carts for dragging coal)

The Rebellion of the Romantic Poets Believed in the force of literature Turned to a more private, spontaneous, lyric poetry Believed that imagination, rather than mere reason, was the best response to the forces of change

What does “Romantic” mean? A child’s sense of wonder – a fascination with youth and innocence Social idealism – people need to question tradition and authority in order to imagine better ways to live Adaptation to change – an acceptance of change rather than a rejection of it

The Mystery of Imagination – poets Sought a deeper understanding of the bond between human beings and the world of the senses Believed that the imagination could be stimulated by both nature and the mind itself Thought nature’s mysterious forces could both inspire the poet and hint at the causes of the great changes taking place in the world