Chapter 3 Chapter 3 The Romantic Period The Romantic Period

(1798-1832)(1798-1832)By Song Xiaoqing and Qin Yuhua

English Department in Hetao University

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I. The Romantic Period: I. The Romantic Period: The Romantic period is the period is The Romantic period is the period is

generally said to have begun in 1798 with generally said to have begun in 1798 with the publication of Wordsworth and the publication of Wordsworth and Coleridge’s Lyrical Ballads and to have Coleridge’s Lyrical Ballads and to have ended in 1832 with Sir Walter Scott’s death ended in 1832 with Sir Walter Scott’s death and the passage of the first Reform Bill in and the passage of the first Reform Bill in the Parliament. It is emphasized the special the Parliament. It is emphasized the special qualities of each individual’s mind.qualities of each individual’s mind.

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II. the historical and cultural background of II. the historical and cultural background of English RomanticismEnglish Romanticism

a. Historically, it was provoked by the a. Historically, it was provoked by the French Revolution and the English French Revolution and the English Industrial Revolution.Industrial Revolution.

b. Culturally, the publication of French b. Culturally, the publication of French philosopher Rousseau’s two books provided philosopher Rousseau’s two books provided necessary guiding principles for the French necessary guiding principles for the French Revolution which aroused great sympathy Revolution which aroused great sympathy and enthusiasm in England;and enthusiasm in England;

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c. England experienced profound economic c. England experienced profound economic and social changes: the enclosure movement and social changes: the enclosure movement and the agricultural mechanization; the and the agricultural mechanization; the capitalist class grasped the political power capitalist class grasped the political power and came to dominate the English society.and came to dominate the English society.

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III. Basic Views:III. Basic Views:

Romanticism designates a literary and Romanticism designates a literary and philosophical theory which tends to see the philosophical theory which tends to see the individual as the very center of all life and all individual as the very center of all life and all experience. It constitutes a change of direction experience. It constitutes a change of direction from attention to the outer world of social from attention to the outer world of social civilization to the inner world of the human spirit. civilization to the inner world of the human spirit. The Romantics think literature most valuable as The Romantics think literature most valuable as an expression of this or her unique feelings and an expression of this or her unique feelings and particular attitudes, and valuing its accuracy in particular attitudes, and valuing its accuracy in portraying the individual's experiences.portraying the individual's experiences.

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IV. Literature Characters:IV. Literature Characters:

The English Romantic period is an age of poetry The English Romantic period is an age of poetry and also a great age of prose. The writers and also a great age of prose. The writers employed the commonplace, the nature, and the employed the commonplace, the nature, and the simple as their poetic materials in their poems. simple as their poetic materials in their poems. Gothic novel, a type of romantic fiction that Gothic novel, a type of romantic fiction that predominated in the late eighteenth century, was predominated in the late eighteenth century, was one phase of the Romantic Movement. Its one phase of the Romantic Movement. Its principal elements are violence, horror and the principal elements are violence, horror and the supernatural, which strongly appeal to the supernatural, which strongly appeal to the reader’s emotion.reader’s emotion.

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V. Romanticism:V. Romanticism:

It is a literary trend. It prevailed in England durIt is a literary trend. It prevailed in England during the period of 1798-1832. Romanticists were dising the period of 1798-1832. Romanticists were discontent with and opposed to the development of cacontent with and opposed to the development of capitalism. They split into two groups. pitalism. They split into two groups.

Some Romantic writers reflected the thinking of Some Romantic writers reflected the thinking of those classes which had been ruined by the bourgethose classes which had been ruined by the bourgeoisie called Passive Romantic poets represented by oisie called Passive Romantic poets represented by Wordsworth, Coleridge and Southey.Wordsworth, Coleridge and Southey.

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Others expressed the aspiration of the lOthers expressed the aspiration of the labouring classes called Active or Revolutabouring classes called Active or Revolutionary Romantic poets represented by Bionary Romantic poets represented by Byron and Shelley and Keats.yron and Shelley and Keats.

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VI. Lake Poets:VI. Lake Poets:

1. Wordsworth, Coleridge, Southey. They lived 1. Wordsworth, Coleridge, Southey. They lived in the Lake District in the northwestern part of in the Lake District in the northwestern part of EnglandEngland

2. They have radical inclinations in their youth, 2. They have radical inclinations in their youth, but later turned conservative and received favobut later turned conservative and received favors from the Government.rs from the Government.3. They criticize the industrial capitalist society. 3. They criticize the industrial capitalist society.

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VII. Main Writers:VII. Main Writers:

A. William Blake(1757-1827): A. William Blake(1757-1827): 威廉威廉 .. 布莱克布莱克 William Blake had been both a poet and an William Blake had been both a poet and an

engraver. Blake was the first important Roengraver. Blake was the first important Romantic poet.mantic poet.

1. Main works: 1. Main works: Poetical Sketches Poetical Sketches 《素描诗集》《素描诗集》 Songs of Innocence Songs of Innocence 《天真之歌》《天真之歌》 It is a loIt is a lo

vely volume of poemsvely volume of poems

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Songs of ExperienceSongs of Experience 《经验之歌》 《经验之歌》 It paints It paints a different world, a world of misery, poverta different world, a world of misery, poverty, disease, war and repression with a melany, disease, war and repression with a melancholy tone.choly tone.

Marriage of Heaven and HellMarriage of Heaven and Hell 《天堂与地狱《天堂与地狱的结合》的结合》

The book of Urizen The book of Urizen 《尤来森之书》《尤来森之书》 The Book of Los The Book of Los 《洛斯之书》《洛斯之书》 MiltonMilton 《弥尔顿》《弥尔顿》

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2.His works’ Characters2.His works’ Characters

Childhood is central to Blake’s concern in Childhood is central to Blake’s concern in the Songs of Innocence and Songs of the Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience, and this concern gives the two Experience, and this concern gives the two books a strong social and historical books a strong social and historical reference. In the Marriage of Heaven and reference. In the Marriage of Heaven and Hell, he explores the relationship of the Hell, he explores the relationship of the contraries. Attraction and repulsion, reason contraries. Attraction and repulsion, reason and energy, love and hate, are necessary to and energy, love and hate, are necessary to human existence.human existence.

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3. Language Characters3. Language Characters

He writes his poems in plain and direct He writes his poems in plain and direct language. His poems often carry the lyric language. His poems often carry the lyric beauty with immense compression of beauty with immense compression of meaning. He distrusts the abstractness and meaning. He distrusts the abstractness and tends to embody his views with visual tends to embody his views with visual images. Symbolism in wide range is also a images. Symbolism in wide range is also a distinctive feature of his poetrydistinctive feature of his poetry

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B. William Wordsworth(1770-1850)B. William Wordsworth(1770-1850)威廉威廉 .. 华兹华斯华兹华斯

William Wordsworth, the “Lake Poets,” is William Wordsworth, the “Lake Poets,” is the leading figure of the English romantic the leading figure of the English romantic poetry, the focal poetic voice of the period. poetry, the focal poetic voice of the period.

1.1. Main Works: Main Works: His Works divided into two groups: Poems His Works divided into two groups: Poems

about nature and poems about human life.about nature and poems about human life. Descriptive Sketches, and Evening WalkDescriptive Sketches, and Evening Walk

《描写速记，黄昏漫步》《描写速记，黄昏漫步》 Lyrical Ballads. Lyrical Ballads. 《抒情歌谣集》《抒情歌谣集》

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The Prelude The Prelude 《序曲》《序曲》 Poems in Two VolumesPoems in Two Volumes 《双卷诗集》 《双卷诗集》 The ExcursionThe Excursion 《远足》 《远足》 The ThornThe Thorn 《荆棘》《荆棘》 The sailor’s mother The sailor’s mother 《水手的母亲》《水手的母亲》 MichaelMichael 《麦克尔》《麦克尔》 The Affliction of MargaretThe Affliction of Margaret 《玛格丽特所受的折磨》 《玛格丽特所受的折磨》 The Old Cumberland Beggar The Old Cumberland Beggar 《老坎伯兰的乞丐》《老坎伯兰的乞丐》 Lucy Poems Lucy Poems 《露茜》《露茜》 The Idiot Boy The Idiot Boy 《白痴男孩》《白痴男孩》 Man, the heart of man, and human life. Man, the heart of man, and human life. The Solitary Reaper The Solitary Reaper 《孤独的收割者》 《孤独的收割者》 To a Highland Girl To a Highland Girl 《致高地姑娘》《致高地姑娘》 The Ruined Cottage The Ruined Cottage 《被摧毁的茅屋》《被摧毁的茅屋》

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2. Language characters2. Language characters

He can penetrate to the heart of things and He can penetrate to the heart of things and give the reader the very life of nature. And give the reader the very life of nature. And he thinks that common life is the only he thinks that common life is the only subject of literary interest. The joys and subject of literary interest. The joys and sorrows of the common people are his sorrows of the common people are his themes. His sympathy always goes to the themes. His sympathy always goes to the suffering poor.suffering poor.

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He is the leading figure of the English romantic He is the leading figure of the English romantic poetry, the focal poetic voice of the period. His is a poetry, the focal poetic voice of the period. His is a voice of searchingly comprehensive humanity and voice of searchingly comprehensive humanity and one that inspires his audience to see the world one that inspires his audience to see the world freshly, sympathetically and naturally. The most freshly, sympathetically and naturally. The most important contribution he has made is that he has important contribution he has made is that he has not only started the modern poetry, the poetry of not only started the modern poetry, the poetry of the growing inner self, but also changed the course the growing inner self, but also changed the course of English poetry by using ordinary speech of the of English poetry by using ordinary speech of the language and by advocating a return to naturelanguage and by advocating a return to nature

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C. Samuel Taylor Coleridge(1772-1834) C. Samuel Taylor Coleridge(1772-1834) 塞缪尔塞缪尔 ..泰勒泰勒 ..科勒律治科勒律治

He advocated a more spiritual and religious interpHe advocated a more spiritual and religious interpretation of life, based on what he had learnt from retation of life, based on what he had learnt from Kant and Schelling.Kant and Schelling. 他倡导了以坎特与斯凯灵理论他倡导了以坎特与斯凯灵理论的对人类精神化与宗教化的诠释。 的对人类精神化与宗教化的诠释。 He believed tHe believed that art is the only permanent revelation of the nathat art is the only permanent revelation of the nature of reality.ure of reality. 他认为艺术是唯一一种能永远揭示他认为艺术是唯一一种能永远揭示现实的形式。现实的形式。

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1. Main Works:1. Main Works: Lyrical Ballads. Lyrical Ballads. 《抒情歌谣集》《抒情歌谣集》 The Rime of the Ancient Mariner The Rime of the Ancient Mariner 《古航海家之《古航海家之

歌》，， 歌》，， Kubla Khan Kubla Khan 《忽必烈汗》《忽必烈汗》 Christabel Christabel 克丽斯特贝尔克丽斯特贝尔 This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison Frost at Midnight Frost at Midnight 《子夜寒霜》，《子夜寒霜》， The NightingaleThe Nightingale 《夜莺》《夜莺》 Dejection, and Ode Dejection, and Ode 《沮丧，一段颂歌》《沮丧，一段颂歌》 Tragic Drama: Remorse Tragic Drama: Remorse 《忏悔》《忏悔》 Biographia Literaria Biographia Literaria 《文学传记》《文学传记》

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2. His actual achievement2. His actual achievement

His actual achievement as poet can be dividHis actual achievement as poet can be divided into two remarkably diverse groups: The ed into two remarkably diverse groups: The demonic and the conversational. demonic and the conversational. （神祗诗（神祗诗与对话诗）。 与对话诗）。 The demonic group includes The demonic group includes his three masterpieces:“The Rime of the Anhis three masterpieces:“The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”“Christabel”“Kubla Khan”cient Mariner”“Christabel”“Kubla Khan”Mysticism and demonism with strong imagiMysticism and demonism with strong imagination are the distinctive features of this gronation are the distinctive features of this group.up.

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His conversational groups include: Kubla KHis conversational groups include: Kubla Khan, Christabel, The Ancient Mariner, This han, Christabel, The Ancient Mariner, This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison, Frost at MidnLime-Tree Bower My Prison, Frost at Midnightight

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3. Language characters3. Language characters

He was esteemed by some of his He was esteemed by some of his contemporaries and is generally recognized contemporaries and is generally recognized today as a lyrical poet and literary critic of today as a lyrical poet and literary critic of the first rank. His poetic themes range from the first rank. His poetic themes range from the supernatural to the domestic. His the supernatural to the domestic. His treatises, lectures, and compelling treatises, lectures, and compelling conversational powers made his one of the conversational powers made his one of the most influential English literary critics and most influential English literary critics and philosophers of the 19th century.philosophers of the 19th century.

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D. George Gordon Byron(1788-1824): D. George Gordon Byron(1788-1824): 乔治乔治 ..戈登戈登 ..拜伦拜伦

He was born into an ancient aristocratic He was born into an ancient aristocratic family. He plunged himself into the family. He plunged himself into the struggle for the national independence of struggle for the national independence of that country. on the whole, his poetry is that country. on the whole, his poetry is one of experience. His heroes are more or one of experience. His heroes are more or less surrogates of himself.less surrogates of himself.

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1. Main works:1. Main works: Hours of Idleness,Hours of Idleness, 《懒散时光》 《懒散时光》 English Bards and Scotch ReviewersEnglish Bards and Scotch Reviewers 《英格兰诗人和苏格兰评论《英格兰诗人和苏格兰评论

家》家》 Cantos: four cantos of Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage Cantos: four cantos of Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage 《恰尔德《恰尔德 ..

哈罗德游记》哈罗德游记》 (brought Byron fame), (brought Byron fame), Oriented TalesOriented Tales 《东方故事》《东方故事》 DonjuanDonjuan 《唐。璜》《唐。璜》 Narrative poem: The Prisoner of Chillon, Narrative poem: The Prisoner of Chillon, 《齐伦的囚犯》。 《齐伦的囚犯》。 The IslandThe Island 《岛》《岛》 Drama: Manfred,Drama: Manfred, 《曼费雷佳》《曼费雷佳》 Cain,Cain, 《该隐》《该隐》 Political satires: Vision of Judgment Political satires: Vision of Judgment 《审判的幻境》《审判的幻境》

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2. His works’ characters2. His works’ characters

His persistence attacks at on “cant political, His persistence attacks at on “cant political, religious, and moral”. His descriptions are religious, and moral”. His descriptions are simple and fresh, often bring vivid objects simple and fresh, often bring vivid objects before the reader. “a stream sometimes before the reader. “a stream sometimes smooth, sometimes rapid and sometimes smooth, sometimes rapid and sometimes rushing down in cataracts---a mixture of rushing down in cataracts---a mixture of philosophy and slang—of everything”.philosophy and slang—of everything”.

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He was regarded in England as the perverteHe was regarded in England as the perverted man, the satanic poet; while on the contind man, the satanic poet; while on the continent, he was hailed as the champion of liberty,ent, he was hailed as the champion of liberty, poet of the people. He enriched European p poet of the people. He enriched European poetry with and abundance of ideas, images, oetry with and abundance of ideas, images, artistic forms and innovations. artistic forms and innovations. 拜伦以丰富拜伦以丰富的思想，想象力，艺术形式和创新欧洲的的思想，想象力，艺术形式和创新欧洲的诗歌得到了发展诗歌得到了发展

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E. Percy Bysshe Shelley(1792-1822)E. Percy Bysshe Shelley(1792-1822) 波西波西 ..比希比希 ..雪莱雪莱

He was born into a wealthy family at Sussex. Born He was born into a wealthy family at Sussex. Born in family of the conservative man of the landed in family of the conservative man of the landed gentry.gentry.

1. Main works:The Necessity of Atheism 《无神论的必然性》 , Queen Mab: a Philosophical Poem, 《麦希女王：一首哲理诗》 Alastor, or The Spirit of Solitude 《阿拉斯特或孤独之精神》

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Poem: Hymn to Intellectual Beauty,Poem: Hymn to Intellectual Beauty, 《颂智力之《颂智力之美》美》

Mont BlancMont Blanc 《蒙特。布兰卡》《蒙特。布兰卡》 Julian and MaddaloJulian and Maddalo 《朱利安和马达罗》《朱利安和马达罗》 The Revolt of IslamThe Revolt of Islam 《伊斯兰的叛变》《伊斯兰的叛变》 the Cencithe Cenci 《晨西》《晨西》 Prometheus Unbound, Prometheus Unbound, 《解放了的普罗米修斯》《解放了的普罗米修斯》 Four—act drama: Prometheus Unbound. The play Four—act drama: Prometheus Unbound. The play

is an exultant work in praise of humankind’s poteis an exultant work in praise of humankind’s potential, and Shelley himself recognized it as “the mosntial, and Shelley himself recognized it as “the most perfect of my products.”t perfect of my products.”

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Adonais,Adonais, 《阿多那伊斯》《阿多那伊斯》 Hellas,Hellas, 《赫拉斯》 《赫拉斯》 Prose: Defence of Poetry Prose: Defence of Poetry 《诗辩》《诗辩》 Lyrics: genuine society,“Ode to Liberty”,Lyrics: genuine society,“Ode to Liberty”, 《自由《自由

颂》“颂》“ Old to Naples”Old to Naples” 《那不勒斯颂》《那不勒斯颂》 ““Sonnet: England in 1819”Sonnet: England in 1819” The Cloud,The Cloud, 《云》 《云》 To a ShylarkTo a Shylark 《云雀颂》《云雀颂》 Ode to the West Wind Ode to the West Wind 西风颂西风颂 Political lyrics: Men of EnglandPolitical lyrics: Men of England 《致英格兰人《致英格兰人

民》 民》 Elegy: AdonaisElegy: Adonais 《阿多那伊斯》 《阿多那伊斯》 is a elegy for Johis a elegy for Joh

n Keats’s early deathn Keats’s early death

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2. Personal Characters2. Personal Characters

He grew up with violent revolutionary ideas under He grew up with violent revolutionary ideas under the influence of the free thinkers like Hume and Gthe influence of the free thinkers like Hume and Godwin, so he held a life long aversion to cruelty, injodwin, so he held a life long aversion to cruelty, injustice, authority, institutional religion and the forustice, authority, institutional religion and the formal shams of respectable society, condemning war,mal shams of respectable society, condemning war, tyranny and exploitation. He expressed his love fo tyranny and exploitation. He expressed his love for freedom and his hatred toward tyranny in severar freedom and his hatred toward tyranny in several of his lyrics such as “Ode to Liberty”,“Old to Nal of his lyrics such as “Ode to Liberty”,“Old to Naples”“Sonnet: England in 1819”ples”“Sonnet: England in 1819”

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Shelley is one of the leading Romantic poets, Shelley is one of the leading Romantic poets, and intense and original lyrical poet in the and intense and original lyrical poet in the English language. Like Blake, he has a repuEnglish language. Like Blake, he has a reputation as a difficult poet: erudite, imagisticaltation as a difficult poet: erudite, imagistically complex, full of classical and mythologicaly complex, full of classical and mythological allusions. His style abounds in personificatil allusions. His style abounds in personification and metaphor and other figures of speecon and metaphor and other figures of speech which describe vividly what we see and feh which describe vividly what we see and feel. Or express what passionately moves us.el. Or express what passionately moves us.

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F: John Keats(1795-1821) F: John Keats(1795-1821) 约翰约翰 ..济慈济慈 ::

He was born the son of a livery-stable owner He was born the son of a livery-stable owner who died when the boy was nine who died when the boy was nine

Main Works: Main Works: Poems:Poems: On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer On First Looking into Chapman’s Homer

《初探恰普罗译荷马》《初探恰普罗译荷马》 ““Sleep and Poetry ”Sleep and Poetry ” 《睡与诗》《睡与诗》 Endymion Endymion 《安狄米恩》《安狄米恩》

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Lamia, Isabella, The Eve of St. Agnes, and Lamia, Isabella, The Eve of St. Agnes, and Other Poems.Other Poems. 《拉米亚，伊莎贝拉。圣。《拉米亚，伊莎贝拉。圣。亚尼节前夜及其他诗歌》亚尼节前夜及其他诗歌》 including: including:

Ode on a Grecian Urn, Ode on a Grecian Urn, 希腊古瓮颂” 希腊古瓮颂” Ode on Melancholy, Ode on Melancholy, 忧郁颂忧郁颂 Ode to a NightingaleOde to a Nightingale 夜莺颂夜莺颂 Ode to PsycheOde to Psyche 普赛克颂”普赛克颂” Lyrics: To AutumnLyrics: To Autumn 秋日颂秋日颂 (( 歇颂歇颂 )) Unfinished: HyperionUnfinished: Hyperion 希波里恩（海波里希波里恩（海波里

安）安）

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2. Language Characters2. Language Characters

His poetry is always sensuous, colorful and rich in His poetry is always sensuous, colorful and rich in imagery, which expresses the acuteness of his imagery, which expresses the acuteness of his senses. Sight, sound, scent, taste and feeling are all senses. Sight, sound, scent, taste and feeling are all taken in to give an entire understanding of an taken in to give an entire understanding of an experience. He has the power of entering the experience. He has the power of entering the feelings of others.—either human or animal. His feelings of others.—either human or animal. His poetry, characterized by exact and closely knit poetry, characterized by exact and closely knit construction, sensual descriptions, and by force of construction, sensual descriptions, and by force of imagination, gives transcendental values to the imagination, gives transcendental values to the physical beauty of the world.physical beauty of the world.

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G. Jane Austen(1755-1817)G. Jane Austen(1755-1817)简简 ..奥斯丁奥斯丁

She was born in a country clergyman’s family.She was born in a country clergyman’s family.

1. Main Works:Novel: Sense and Sensibility 《理智与情感》； Pride and Prejudice；《傲慢与偏见》 (the most popular) Northanger Abbey 《诺桑觉寺》Mansfield Park . 《曼斯菲尔德花园》

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Emma Emma 《爱玛》《爱玛》 Persuasion Persuasion 《劝告》《劝告》 The Watsons The Watsons 《沃特生》《沃特生》 Fragment of a Novel Fragment of a Novel 《小说片段》《小说片段》 Plan of a Novel Plan of a Novel 《小说的安排》《小说的安排》

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2. Personal Characters2. Personal Characters

She holds the ideals of the landlord class in She holds the ideals of the landlord class in politics, religion and moral principles; and politics, religion and moral principles; and her works show clearly her firm belief in her works show clearly her firm belief in the predominance of reason over passion, the predominance of reason over passion, the sense of responsibility, good manners the sense of responsibility, good manners and clear—sighted judgment over the and clear—sighted judgment over the Romantic tendencies of emotion and Romantic tendencies of emotion and individuality.individuality.

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3. Her Works’ Characters3. Her Works’ Characters

Her works’ concern is about human beings in Her works’ concern is about human beings in their personal relationships. Because of this, her their personal relationships. Because of this, her novels have a universal significance. It is her novels have a universal significance. It is her conviction that a man’s relationship to his wife conviction that a man’s relationship to his wife and children is at least as important a part of his and children is at least as important a part of his life as his concerns about his belief and career. life as his concerns about his belief and career. Her thought is that if one wants to know about a Her thought is that if one wants to know about a man’s talents, one should see him at work, but if man’s talents, one should see him at work, but if one wants to know about his nature and temper, one wants to know about his nature and temper, one should see him at home.one should see him at home.

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Austen shows a human being not at Austen shows a human being not at moments of crisis, but in the most trivial moments of crisis, but in the most trivial incidents of everyday life. She write within a incidents of everyday life. She write within a very narrow sphere. The subject matter, the very narrow sphere. The subject matter, the character range, the social setting, and plots character range, the social setting, and plots are all restricted to the provincial life of the are all restricted to the provincial life of the late 18th century England. Concerning late 18th century England. Concerning three or four landed gentry families with three or four landed gentry families with their daily routine life.their daily routine life.

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Her novels’ structureHer novels’ structure

It is exquisitely deft, the characterization in It is exquisitely deft, the characterization in the highest degree memorable, while the the highest degree memorable, while the irony has a radiant shrewdness unmatched irony has a radiant shrewdness unmatched elsewhere. Her works’ at one delightful and elsewhere. Her works’ at one delightful and profound, are among the supreme profound, are among the supreme achievements of English literature. With achievements of English literature. With trenchant observation and in meticulous trenchant observation and in meticulous details, she presents the quiet, day-to-day details, she presents the quiet, day-to-day country life of the upper-middle-class country life of the upper-middle-class English.English.