1. The Romantic Period Notes borrowed from L. Wengel

2. Romantic Period 1789 – 1850 1789 – 1850 France, August 27, 1789 France, August 27, 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man Declaration of the Rights of Man Stated that all men were born free and with equal rights. Stated that all men were born free and with equal rights. Natural rights included: Natural rights included: Liberty Liberty Property Property Security Security Resistance to oppression Resistance to oppression Governments existed to protect these rights Governments existed to protect these rights

3. “The French Revolution is the master theme of the epoch in which we live.” Percy Shelley to Lord Byron Obsession with the violent & inclusive change in the human condition Obsession with the violent & inclusive change in the human condition Romantic writing cannot be understood historically without an awareness of the extent their distinctive concepts, plots, forms and imagery were shaped by the promise and tragedy of the events occurring in France. Romantic writing cannot be understood historically without an awareness of the extent their distinctive concepts, plots, forms and imagery were shaped by the promise and tragedy of the events occurring in France. Industrialization and Mechanization lead to the idea that mankind had lost its innocence. The Romantic poets sought to regain the innocence and vigor that was lost by using children and nature as subjects/themes in their poems/writing. Industrialization and Mechanization lead to the idea that mankind had lost its innocence. The Romantic poets sought to regain the innocence and vigor that was lost by using children and nature as subjects/themes in their poems/writing.

4. Qualities of Romanticism Revolutionary and rebellious – it emphasized political and artistic freedom, originality, and a discontent with the conventions of the past. Revolutionary and rebellious – it emphasized political and artistic freedom, originality, and a discontent with the conventions of the past. Folksy and down to earth – had an admiration of the simple life and the common man Folksy and down to earth – had an admiration of the simple life and the common man Nature-worshipping – it idealized nature for all its qualities, both destructive and soothing Nature-worshipping – it idealized nature for all its qualities, both destructive and soothing Supernatural and mystical – it can explore the weird, fantastic, and magical Supernatural and mystical – it can explore the weird, fantastic, and magical

5. Adventurous and danger seeking – Pursuing excitement and thrills Adventurous and danger seeking – Pursuing excitement and thrills Sentimental and poignant – Imbuing the past with special qualities and feelings Sentimental and poignant – Imbuing the past with special qualities and feelings Sensuous and passionate – Elevating the amorous from mere feeling to art Sensuous and passionate – Elevating the amorous from mere feeling to art Defenders of Liberty – Upholding individual rights over the power of government Defenders of Liberty – Upholding individual rights over the power of government Emotionally Intelligent – Championing the powers of dreams and emotions as a guide to life Emotionally Intelligent – Championing the powers of dreams and emotions as a guide to life Art loving – celebrating the arts and artists. Art loving – celebrating the arts and artists.