Historical and Philosophical Context

The Romantic period was shaped by several major historical events and philosophical developments:

American Revolution $1775-1783$: Colonists rebelled against British rule, declaring independence in 1776 and establishing the United States. This embodied Romantic ideals of freedom and self-determination.

French Revolution $1789-1799$: Initially supported by Romantic poets as a force for positive change, but the violent Reign of Terror that followed disillusioned many.

Industrial Revolution: Transformed England from an agricultural to industrial society, profoundly impacting the relationship between humans and nature.

Philosophical influences included:

• Voltaire and Rousseau's critiques of social privilege and emphasis on nature
• Rousseau's idea that "Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains"

Quote: "Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains." - Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract $1762$

Highlight: These historical events and philosophical ideas fueled the Romantic emphasis on individual freedom, social reform, and a return to nature.

Key Themes in Romantic Poetry

Romantic literature was characterized by several major themes:

Imagination: Gained a primary role in poetic composition, seen as a way to access deeper truths about human experience and nature.

Childhood: Romantics idealized children as being closer to nature and possessing innate wisdom uncorrupted by society. Poets sought to recapture this childlike wonder.

Nature: Viewed as a source of inspiration, spiritual renewal, and moral guidance. Poets aimed to forge a more intimate connection with the natural world.

Social responsibility: Many Romantic poets felt a duty to use their art to inspire social change and give voice to marginalized groups.

Example: William Blake's poetry often addressed social issues, sympathizing with victims of industrial society like child laborers and criticizing oppressive institutions.

Vocabulary: Cosmopolitan - having an inclusive view of the world, free from national limitations or attachments.

Romantic Poets and Their Approach

Romantic poets sought to express authentic personal feelings and inspire their readers. Key aspects of their approach included:

1. Prioritizing imagination over reason in the creative process
2. Attempting to recapture the innocence and wonder of childhood
3. Forging a deep, emotional connection with nature
4. Using poetry as a vehicle for social commentary and reform

William Blake exemplified many of these traits:

• Supported the ideals of the French Revolution initially
• Later focused on critiquing the negative impacts of the Industrial Revolution
• Sympathized with marginalized groups like children, prostitutes, and soldiers
• Used vivid imagery and symbolism to convey complex ideas

Highlight: Romantic poets viewed themselves as having a responsibility to use their art to inform, inspire, and potentially change society.

Definition: Authentic - of undisputed origin and not a copy; genuine.

The Romantic Vision of Society and Human Nature

The Romantic movement presented a distinct vision of society and human nature that contrasted with Enlightenment ideals:

1. Emphasis on the individual: Romantics prioritized personal experience and emotion over universal rationalism.
2. Critique of social structures: Many Romantics were critical of existing social hierarchies and institutions.
3. Belief in natural goodness: Influenced by Rousseau, Romantics often viewed humans as inherently good but corrupted by society.
4. Importance of emotion: Authentic feeling was valued over reason as a guide to truth and morality.
5. Connection to nature: Romantics sought a more harmonious relationship between humans and the natural world.

Quote: "The child is father of the man" - William Wordsworth, suggesting the importance of childhood experiences in shaping adult character.

Highlight: The Romantic vision challenged Enlightenment rationalism, offering a more emotionally-driven and individualistic view of human nature and society.

Literary Background of Romanticism

The Romantic movement in literature was deeply influenced by historical events and philosophical ideas:

Historical influences:

• American Revolution $1775-1783$
• French Revolution $1789-1799$
• Industrial Revolution

These events shaped Romantic themes of freedom, social change, and man's relationship to nature.

Philosophical influences:

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau's ideas on natural human goodness and social corruption
• Voltaire's critiques of social privilege

Literary predecessors:

• Gothic literature's emphasis on emotion and the sublime
• Sturm und Drang movement in German literature

Vocabulary: Sturm und Drang - a proto-Romantic movement in German literature and music that emphasized individual subjectivity and extremes of emotion.

Highlight: The complex literary background of Romanticism reflects its status as a movement responding to profound social, political, and intellectual changes.

Impact and Legacy of Romanticism

The Romantic movement had a lasting impact on literature, art, and culture:

1. Influence on later literary movements: Romanticism's emphasis on emotion and individual experience influenced later movements like Symbolism and Surrealism.
2. Shaping of modern concepts of creativity: The Romantic idea of the artist as a unique genius continues to influence how we view creativity.
3. Environmental awareness: Romantic reverence for nature contributed to the development of modern environmentalism.
4. Political legacy: Romantic ideas about individual rights and social reform influenced later political movements.
5. Popular culture: Romantic themes of love, nature, and self-expression continue to resonate in contemporary popular culture.

Example: The Romantic fascination with nature and the sublime can be seen in modern nature documentaries and environmental activism.

Highlight: The Romantic movement's emphasis on emotion, imagination, and individual experience continues to shape our cultural values and artistic expressions today.

Page 7: Coleridge's Contribution to Romantic Poetry

This section examines Coleridge's unique approach to ballads and poetry, showing how The Romantic Age evolved.

Quote: "The poet sometimes has difficulties telling the truth, because it is not always comfortable."

Highlight: Coleridge's ballads innovated by including moral lessons, distinguishing them from medieval predecessors.

Overview of Romanticism

The Romantic movement emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries as a reaction against Enlightenment rationalism. It emphasized individual expression, emotion, and imagination over reason.

Key aspects of Romanticism included:

• A new view of nature as a source of inspiration and spiritual renewal
• Focus on the individual and authentic personal feelings
• Belief in the wisdom and innocence of children
• Social responsibility and desire to inspire change through art
• Influence of major historical events like the American and French Revolutions
• Philosophical ideas about freedom and man's relationship to society

Definition: Romanticism was an artistic, literary and intellectual movement that originated in Europe toward the end of the 18th century and in most areas was at its peak in the approximate period from 1800 to 1850.

Highlight: The Romantic poets aimed to express authentic emotions and inspire social change through their work, viewing poetry as a means to inform and uplift society.