Unit 2: British Romanticism

Why the name Neo-classicism?

“Neo” = New

Ethos – Classical Poets were looked up to for inspiration/example.

Also called the Enlightenment

We see a surge in science/reason

Poets, to justify poetry, seek to imitate science and math and precision, in their poetry

Alexander Pope: Excerpts from Essay on Criticism

• “True ease in writing comes from art, not chance, As those move easiest who have learned to dance.”

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• Poetry is a CRAFT, something that can be perfected by hard work and care.

• "The sound must seem an echo to the sense.”

• Poetry is a perfect union of the meaning of what is said with the way it is said.

• "True wit is nature to advantage dressed,What oft was thought, but ne'er so well

expressed.“

Poetry serves public function-expressing political, religious and social ideas that all men possess

but not all men can express

• “Whatever is, is right”

• Tends to depict universals abstractions (Truth capital T)

What is Romanticism?

• Romanticism is born out of Revolution: -

• !) The French Revolution – let’s get back to the people!

• 2)The Industrial Revolution – let’s get back to nature!

• 3) Religious Revolution: Non-conformist Protestant sects / “Inner Light”

Shift to RomanticismImagination > reason/logic/planning • “Spontaneous Overflow of Powerful Emotions” • truths (lower case t)

Experience > predetermined knowledgeCelebrates the Child/Interest in the child. First nature =child-like knowledge bankingSecond nature=adult-like/society knowledge banking

Individual and Nature > SocietyLots of first person, taking place in natural settingsCelebrates the Individual and the Common ManLots of first person “I” in poetry