Enough of Science and of Art: Close up those barren leaves Come forth, and bring with you a heart That watches and receives. From “The Tables Turned” William Wordsworth

The Romantic Age

Society’s Problems Caused by the Industrial Revolution – overcrowding – working conditions – pollution – long work hours – low pay

The Writers Longed for the simplicity and purity of the past offered a new perspective on the world focused on nature and the common man

The trials and the dreams of the common people developed out of democratic idealism attachment to nature was a response to the industrial revolution

The Beginning of the Romantic Age Wordsworth and Coleridge published the Lyrical Ballads Established principles that would dominate British Literature for decades

Nature Was not a force to be tamed and analyzed scientifically was a wild and free force that could inspire poets to instinctive spiritual understanding – “Come forth into the light of things, Let Nature be your Teacher”

Abandoned Classicism and rationalism condemned the industrial revolution’s encroachment on the English countryside

Events of the Time 1770’s the American colonies won their independence July 14, 1789 French citizens stormed the Bastille to release political prisoners / placed limits on Louis XVI / Declaration of the Rights of Man / constitutional monarchy

France declared war on Britain in 1793 lasting for twenty-two years Napoleonic Wars when France was defeated by the Duke of Wellington at Waterloo

Supporters of the French Revolution William Wordsworth William Godwin – British society would evolve peacefully /freedom and equality Charles James – “How much the greatest event it is that ever happened in the world”

Supporter of the American Revolution Edmund Burke – revolution was bound to grow violent and mourned that “the age of chivalry is gone…and the glory of Europe is extinguished forever”