1. The Romantic Era in British Literature 1798-1832

2. Age of Reason vs. Romantic Era In the Age of Reason, Writers stressed: Reason and Judgement Concern with the universal experience The value of society as a whole The value of rules In the Romantic Era, Writers stressed: Imagination and Emotion Concern with the particular experience The value of the individual human being The value of freedom

3. Characteristics of the Romantic Era 1. Common Man and Childhood over Urban Sophistication Romantics believed in the natural goodness of humans, which is hindered by the urban life of civilization. They believed that the savage is noble, childhood is good and the emotions inspired by both beliefs causes the heart to soar. 2. Emotions over Reason Romantics believed that knowledge is gained through intuition rather than deduction. This is best summed up by Wordsworth who stated that “all good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.”

4. 3. Nature over Artificial Romantics stressed the awe of nature in art and language and the experience of awe through a connection with nature. Romantics rejected the ideas of the industrial revolution. 4. The Individual over Society Romantics often elevated the achievements of the misunderstood, heroic individual outcast. 5. Imagination over Logic Romantics legitimized the individual imagination as a critical authority.

5. Five Major Romantic Era Poets William Wordsworth William Blake Lord Byron Percy Shelley John Keats

6. William Wordsworth Helped to launch the Romantic Age His most famous work is The Prelude chronicles the spiritual life of the poet Has an interest and sympathy for the life and troubles of the “common man” He is considered the nature poet by focusing ordinary people in country settings

7. Lord Byron He indulged in excesses and had huge debts and many love affairs His most famous creations are his dark heroes, called Byronic heroes, who, in fact, were not heroes at all, but stood out from ordinary humans as larger than life

8. Percy Shelley Shelley had a very unconventional life and was very idealistic He was also a radical nonconformist

9. John Keats During his life, his poems did not receive favorable reviews by the critics The poetry of Keats is characterized by sensual imagery, most notably in his odes

10. William Blake Started writing poetry when he was twelve Blake was a nonconformist who associated with some of the leading radical thinkers of his day He rebelled against traditional poetic forms and techniques He valued imagination over reason

11. Songs of Innocence & Experience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzPyeLQ O8DE