The Romantic Period

Group 3

How were strange and far away places described?For example, coleridge’s ancient mariner, sailed around cape horn to the edge of Antarctica, at the time it was still being mapped and explored.When he came back he stopped a young man from attending something as happy and ordinary as a wedding.He narrated his strange adventure. In coleridge’s “Kubla Khan” the fabulous emperor dwells in a place that has come to symbolize luxury and mystery: xanadu. Also on Shellys’ poem “Ozymandias” it takes us to “ an antique land” the egypt of the pharaohs, which had recently been invaded and plundered by Napoleon.

what worlds became refugees from the smoky cities?Shelly and Byron were rebels who actually had to leave england. The poets who remained wanted to take their readers on imaginative journeys to other worlds. Such worlds were meant as alternatives to the spreading stain of the cities; to the smoky, noisy railroads; to what blake called the “dark”, satanic mills; factories that seemed to chew up people and belch ugly goods.

how did political and industrial revolutions affect society?The revolution was liked by many at first, but once France and England went to war and Napoleon became emperor, most lost hope. When Napoleon was defeated, everyone agreed that human nature couldn’t be reborn, but things would go back to the way they were.

Writers reacting to revolutionary changes?Some writers directly addressed the problem of the changing world. Other writers remained people of other way of being.

Ways romantics rejected previous traditions?They decided that the large changes going on in society caused by the French revolution should also change the traditional styles of writing.

Political Rebels: They started writing against the victor, Napoleon. This was inspired by Milton, a poet who was known for “standing up to kings” with his revolutionary speech.

Poetical traditions the romantics revived?This bold and courageous act in writing didn’t only bring new ideas it also brought life to others who were dying out.

The sonet was old, traditional, piece of love and emotion. It is a 14 line poem with a specific rhyme scheme.

The ode was a perfected, lyric poem,characterized by heightened emotion that pays respect to a person or thing. In an ode the speaker is directly addresses the subject.

what mysterious literary figure did the romantics create?They created the Byronic Hero. Lord Byron embodies in his life, the spirit of the age. He was described as “mad, bad and dangerous to know”.

What prose genres did the romantics invent? They invented “The gothic”. It’s more of an attention getter, they wanted people to know that they were odd, they were pushing the limits, thinking outside the box.