British RomanticismBritish RomanticismEnglish 12English 12

2010-20112010-2011

British RomanticismBritish Romanticism

Began with the publication of Began with the publication of Lyrical Lyrical BalladsBallads by William Wordsworth and by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1798)Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1798)

Ended in the mid-1800’s with the rise Ended in the mid-1800’s with the rise of the Realism movementof the Realism movement

Important WritersImportant Writers

William BlakeWilliam BlakeWilliam WordsworthWilliam WordsworthSamuel Taylor ColeridgeSamuel Taylor ColeridgeJohn KeatsJohn KeatsPercy Bysshe ShelleyPercy Bysshe ShelleyGeorge Gordon, Lord ByronGeorge Gordon, Lord ByronMary ShelleyMary Shelley

Most of these writers were close friends and Most of these writers were close friends and collaborated on literary projects.collaborated on literary projects.

Influences on RomanticismInfluences on Romanticism

French RevolutionFrench Revolution

Social and political norms of the Age Social and political norms of the Age of Enlightenmentof Enlightenment

Industrial RevolutionIndustrial Revolution

Characteristics of RomanticismCharacteristics of Romanticism

Emphasis on intuition, imagination, Emphasis on intuition, imagination, and emotion over reason and and emotion over reason and empirical data.empirical data.

Divinity of all things (pantheism)Divinity of all things (pantheism) Emphasis on spiritual and Emphasis on spiritual and

supernaturalsupernatural Nature is a place of refuge, beauty, Nature is a place of refuge, beauty,

and restorationand restoration ““Carpe Diem” attitudeCarpe Diem” attitude

Phases of LifePhases of Life

InnocenceInnocence: childhood; naïveté: childhood; naïveté

ExperienceExperience: corrupted and jaded by : corrupted and jaded by the worldthe world

Higher InnocenceHigher Innocence: regain the purity : regain the purity of childhood (only attained by very of childhood (only attained by very few)few)

Romantic LiteratureRomantic Literature

Experimentation with (and rebellion Experimentation with (and rebellion against) classical poetic formsagainst) classical poetic forms

Mimic Medieval styles and themesMimic Medieval styles and themes Beauty found in the ordinaryBeauty found in the ordinary Emotive languageEmotive language Emphasis on darker emotions (fear, Emphasis on darker emotions (fear,

awe)awe)

Works we will read:Works we will read:

““Songs of Innocence and Experience”Songs of Innocence and Experience” ““Tintern Abbey”Tintern Abbey” ““Rime of the Ancient Mariner”Rime of the Ancient Mariner” ““Ode on a Grecian Urn”Ode on a Grecian Urn” FrankensteinFrankenstein