Paper no: - 5 “Romantic Literature”
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qName:- Lalji. G. Baraiya.
qCourse.:- M.A.-1 ,
Sem-2.
qYear:- 2019-’20.
qRoll no.:- 21.
qEnrollment no.:-2069108420190001.
qG-mail Id.:- laljibaraiya789@gmail.com.
qPaper no.:- 5(Romantic Literature).
qTopic:- Characteristic and major writers of the Romantic age.
( Total words:- 2,728)
( Total words:- 2,728)
q Submitted to:- Smt. S.B.Gardi.Dep.of Engllish
Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University.
Characteristics of Romantic Age(1800-1850)
Introduction:
This period from (1800-1850) according to the William.J.Long is known as the age of romanticism or age of Wordsworth generally the duration between 1798 to 1827 is known as romantic period. This period is considered one of the most creative period in the history of English literature. It brought intense change in the production of literature especially in poetry field.
Definition
of the of the term “Romanticism:-
- “Romanticism” is the opposite not of classical but of realism in literature. -Victor Hugo
- “Romanticism emphasizes on emotion rather than reason the heart opposed to head” .- George
- “Romanticism” is means the return to nature. -Rousseau
- “in Romanticism the spirit count more then form.” -Girerson
- Characteristic of Romantic age:-
(1). Romantic enthusiasm
(2). An age of poetry
(3). Return to nature
(4). Woman as novelists
(5). Sympathy for the
poor
(6). Modern magazines
(7). Element of
Supernatural Power
(8). The age of Symbols
and Myths
1)Romantic
enthusiasm:-
The essence of Romanticism was that literature must reflect all that is
spontaneous and unaffected in nature and man. In the age of Romanticism ,we can
see this independence expressed in Coleridge's “Kubla Khan” and “The Rime of
Ancient Mariner”. These two are dream picture- one dealing with the orient and
the other of a lonely sea. In Wordsworth this literature independence led-him
inward to the heart of common thing. These two great poets,Coleridge and
Wordsworth represent the Romantic genius of the age.
2)An
age of poetry:-
The Romantic age is basically an age of poetry. The previous century the
Neo-classical age was largely the age of prose. While during the age of
Romanticism the young writer turn to poetry as a happy man o singing.
The glory of this age can be found in the poetry of Wordsworth,
Coleridge, Byron, Keats and Shelly. Romantic poetry is a spontaneous
overflow of powerful feeling. The Romantic poet is gifted with a strong “Organic
Sensibility”.
3)Women
as Novelists:-
For the first time woman took importance role in contribution to the English
literature. This age was highly emotion as the woman are more emotional. This
spirit of this age gave then the opportunity to expressed themselves in
literature. One of the first important woman writer is Mrs.Anne, Jane
Austin etc... Her novel become very popular and impress.
4)Sympathy
for the poor:-
Romantic
age was marked by human sympathy and by understanding of the human heart.
The Romantic poets unlocked their emotion and feeling and reflected their
sympathetic nature certain common subject like a bigger, a country
girls, a farmer, a shephered are create in the poetry of Romantic
poets.
5)The
Modern Magazines:-
In this age literary criticism was established by the appearance of such
Magazines as
“Edinburgh
Review” (1802)
“The Quarterly Review” (1808)
“Black woods Magazine” (1817)
“The Spectator” (1828).
These magazines
put their influence on all subsequent literature. These magazines were
published the work of certain writers like- Charles lamb and
gave the opportunity to every writer to make his work known to the world.
6)Return
to Nature:-
Again, this is one of the important characteristic of the Romantic Age. We can also say that the whole age is marked by this characteristic. During this age the writer used the elements of nature to satire on the society. Yes, it is true that most of the people think that this was the time when the writers don’t use satire to reform the society. But that is not true the satire during this time was in an indirect way. The concept of Romanticism becomes quite clear here. We think that romanticism is something related to the physical world. Yes, it is but in a wilder way. Romanticism reflects the nature. Nature is which we see around us like trees, plants, birds, animals, and sea etc. and also the nature of Men. It includes both the meaning at a time. Through using the elements of nature the writers of this time tried to talk about the nature of human beings. Wordsworth’s poem ‘Daffodils’ is the best example
“I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills”
These are just two lines of the poem. But in these two lines also we can see the natural environment created by the poet. When we look at this poem at the surface level we can understand very easily that this is the language used for the common men. I want to give other illustration here that is the novel ‘Frankenstein’ written by Mary Shelly which is the best example of the Nature. Though at surface level we will not be able to find the Nature in this novel but if we analyze this novel in deep then we will be able to find the Natural elements. The major part of this novel talks about the Nature only, because Victor wanted to go against the Nature. The other example of nature I would like to give of John Keats though when he was living he never considered as a great writer. He got fame after his death. And he also died at a very young age. It was said for Keats that he was the priest of beauty as Wordsworth is the priest of the Nature. Here are some lines from Ode to Psyche.That floats on high o’er vales and hills”
“Yes, I will be thy priest, and build a fane
In some untrodden region of my mind”
7) Elements of Supernatural power:
These are the two lines in which Keats is praising the beauty of Psyche and says that I will make a temple in my mind so that no one can enter in my mind and I will always worship you in my mind as a goddess. So, here these lines become true that he is the priest of beauty. He uses nature to praise the beauty.
“Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;”
These are other lines from Keats’ another ode ‘Ode to autumn’. He was the poet who celebrates the beauty of autumn. That is why he was so criticized by the other writers of his time and especially by Wordsworth.
Again this characteristic takes us to the roots of this time and that is the endless debate ‘Art for the Art’s sake’ and ‘Art for the Life’s sake’, because this characteristic is in the favor of ‘Art for the Art’ sake’. This characteristic is also connected with the characteristic of imagination. Supernatural power means something which as a human being we don’t have or if I say in other words then beyond the human capacity. As above said that during this time people were aware about their selves and the center was also the individuality. So, many writers tried to give supernatural elements to their characters. The poets of the neo classical age gave more importance to realistic descriptions of day to day life. The romantic poets like Coleridge however, concentrated on describing the supernatural world. The whole poem describes the supernatural and mystical experience of the "Ancient Mariner" in a mysterious manner:
This seraph band, each waved his hand:
It was a heavenly sight!
They stood as signals to the land,
Each one a lovely light:
Here again if I give the example of ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelly then in this novel she tried to give some supernatural touch. During those days electricity was the new invention by human beings. Accordingly, Frankenstein abused electricity, a natural force, to stimulate ‘the lifeless thing’ (Shelley 34). By artificially and miraculously bringing his inanimate project to life, Frankenstein leaves the ordinary course of nature and produces something abnormal and supernatural.
8) The
age of Symbols and Myths:-
With all these characteristics this age is also marked especially for the myths and symbols used by the writers during this time. Human was the center and the symbols and the myths were of the nature of this time. And the symbols and myths were also taken seriously by the people of that time because it suggests many things. We can say that writers used the sugar coated language to highlight the mistakes of the society of that time. Again I would like to give the example of John Keats and his ode ‘Ode on a Grecian Urn’. In this ode he uses many myths. According to Keats urn is like time it knows everything the past as well as the future also. He also depicts some people on this urn that some of them are playing flute pipe and some of them are doing their work. He also depicts a couple. According to Keats the lovers are happy as well as unhappy because they will remain there on that urn always but they can’t touch each other and that is why Keats writes that:
“Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard
Are sweeter;”
It is a kind of symbol used by Keats to showcase the reality of the life.
“Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard
Are sweeter;”
It is a kind of symbol used by Keats to showcase the reality of the life.
● Characteristics of Romantic Poetry :
● Reaction
against Neo - Classicism :
Romantic Poetry is different from Neo Classical Poetry. In Neo classical Poetry is based on the reason and intellectual while Romantic Poetry. Which begins in 18th century. It was reaction against set standard of poetry of classical age. According to William. J.Long :
" The Romantic movement was marked and it is always marked by a strong reaction and Protestant against the bondage of rule and custom which in science and theology as well as literature generally tend to fetter the free human spirit."
So Romantic Poetry is come after the Romantic movement and this movement become the way of new poetry which is free from classical Poetry and it's rules and regulations later on it called as " Romantic Poetry ".
● Imagination :
Imagination is main and important element of Romantic Poetry. In Classical Age there is important of Reason but in Romantic Poetry there is important of imagination. Classical writers believed in Reason but Romantics poets believe in imagination. Imagination is the main one of the main element of Romantic Poetry.
● Back from set rules :
Poetry of the Romantic is different and contrast with the Neo Classical Poetry. Neo Classical Poetry was based on the 18th century rules and regulations. There were well prepared line of composition poetry. So the Romantic Poetry breaks all the rules and regulations of Neo Classical Poetry. They set New rules that the poetry should free style without following rules and regulations. So Romantic Poetry believe in free style of expressing emotions without using or follow any rules and regulations.
■ Wordsworth:
Wordsworth was a major figure of the Romantic Poetry. He was considered as English Romantic Poet. He was also a Britain 's poet laureate. His poetry was a collection of all the Romantic characteristics and his treatment towards the Romantic elements. He stands as most important figure of Romantic Poet. There are many reasons that wordsworth considered as Romantic Poet. He was a pioneer of Romantic Movement. It was a reaction against a Classical Poetry. It was beginning in 19th century. It was begins with the publication of the "Lyrical Ballads ". There are many reasons for which proves Wordsworth as a Romantic Poet :
■ Wordsworth:
Wordsworth was a major figure of the Romantic Poetry. He was considered as English Romantic Poet. He was also a Britain 's poet laureate. His poetry was a collection of all the Romantic characteristics and his treatment towards the Romantic elements. He stands as most important figure of Romantic Poet. There are many reasons that wordsworth considered as Romantic Poet. He was a pioneer of Romantic Movement. It was a reaction against a Classical Poetry. It was beginning in 19th century. It was begins with the publication of the "Lyrical Ballads ". There are many reasons for which proves Wordsworth as a Romantic Poet :
Wordsworth considered
as Nature poet because most of his poetry based on the Natural element. He saw
Nature in both ways as healing power and teacher or Moral guardian. Nature
considered as living personality into his poems. This thing reflect into his
poem : " I wondered lonely as a cloud ".
■ S.T.Coleridge:
Coleridge was a
famous literary critic, philosopher. He was a friend of William
Wordsworth He was a main founder of the Romantic Movement in England. He was
also a member of the Lake Poets. His famous poems are The Rime of the Ancient
Mariner and Kubla Khan and also he was famous for his prose work
Biographia Literaria. He was considered as a best Romantic Poet as like
Wordsworth. Here many characteristics which can be seen Coleridge as the
Romantic poet.
Coleridge always cared
for the humanity. His love for the humanity was revealed . When he
strongly supportinf the French revolution. He supported the upheaval assuming.
So it would free the masses from the oppression of the dictators.Coleridge windrowed
his support as the revolutionists deviated from their principles.
Coleridge showed his dissatisfaction through his French: An
Ode. The best example of his love for humanity is Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
It is considered as a best example in which shows the elements of humanity.
So the
Wordsworth and Coldridge considered as a best representation of Romantic
Poetry. Through their works they consider as a best poet among the Romantic
poets. Their poetry including all the characteristics of Romantic Poetry. They
both created a remarkable position in Romantic Poetry.
- Conclusion:
To conclude, the period between 1798-1832 Romanticism brought a drastic change in the production of poetry. It was remarkably a strong movement, “The Return to Nature” the leading Romantic poets.
Thus the Romantic age gave us nature, love sympathy and inspiration the man found his existence hidden in the heart of others. The man went to nature to take rest and sang the love song of nature.
- Work sited :
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romantic_poetry
http://crossref-it.info/articles/361/romantic-poetry
https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/discuss-wordsworth-romantic-poet-433538
http://tanvirdhaka.blogspot.in/2013/04/coleridge-as-romantic-poet.html?m=1
