1. European Romanticism Mode of Expression: Poetry 1780-1830

2. Romantic Poetry Unit Objectives:
Use specific poetic terminology to verbally describe the complex themes, techniques, and effects of/in romantic poetry
Attribute authorial choices when describing poetic technique to avoid passive voice and increase specificity of your writing
Develop confidence as a presenter of literary commentary

3. Objective: Activate Prior Knowledge In your table groups, discuss:
Define “romantic.”
(There are many ways to do so.)

4. Romantic (adj.)
1: consisting of or resembling a romance
2: having no basis in fact : imaginary
3: impractical in conception or plan : visionary
4a : marked by the imaginative or emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, remote, mysterious, or idealized
4b often capitalized : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of romanticism
4c : of or relating to music of the 19th century characterized by an emphasis on subjective emotional qualities and freedom of form; also : of or relating to a composer of this music
5 a : having an inclination for romance : responsive to the appeal of what is idealized, heroic, or adventurous
b : marked by expressions of love or affection
c : conducive to or suitable for lovemaking
6 : of, relating to, or constituting the part of the hero especially in a light comedy

5. Objective: Develop historical context
Identify the historical catalysts of romantic literature.

6. Romantic Poetry Historical Context Objectives:
Analyze how the ideology of …
the French Revolution
the Enlightenment
British industrialization
caused a change in thinking that affected romantic writers.

7. Historical Context: The French Revolution impacted romantic writers.
 Marks the decline of powerful monarchies and churches and the rise of democracy and the power of the people
 Literary Consequence: Protagonists were common people rather than aristocracy
Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities
Bronte’s Jane Eyre

8. Historical Context: The Industrial Revolution impacted romantic writers.
British Industrialization:
The economy of England changed from mostly agricultural to mostly industrial
Literary Consequence: The I.R. showed Romantic authors the horrors of industrialism:
urban squalor: poor living conditions
a polluted natural and work environment,
lack of education
the alienation of people from nature
Romantics thought a return to nature could solve some of these problems

9. Historical Context: The Enlightenment impacted romantic writers.
“The Age of Reason” celebrated logic as literacy spread across Europe
Enlightenment philosophers
Logic > Feelings
Literary Consequence:
Romantics return to emotion over logic
Feelings > Logic

10. Objective: Develop historical context
Restate the historical catalysts of romantic literature.

11. Objective: Activate Prior Knowledge--In your table groups, discuss:
1. Restate the definition of “romantic.”
2. What are the characteristic s of literary romanticism?
3. What qualities do literary romanticism and romance share?

12. Characteristics of romantic lit
Celebrates the individual and individual rights and freedoms
Shows strong concern for society and politics and the freedoms of mankind
Liberates the unconscious by freely speaking inner thoughts

13. Characteristics of Romantic Lit
Yearns for ideal states of being
Intense feelings of joy and dejection
nostalgia for the classical past (Greece, Rome)
interest in mystical experiences
Delights in both the common and exotic

14. Rough Progression of Western Painting Trends
“Madonna and child” circa 1230
B. Berlinghieri
Raphael’s “School of Athens” 1510
Picasso’s 1912 Les Demoiselles
D’Avignon
Friedrich’s “Wanderer
over a Sea of Clouds” 1818
Pollock’s 1947 “Lucifer”