Exploration of Romanticism in Poetry
The poems I will be describing date back to the Romanticism period of
time. The word "romanticism" originally originates from the Romans.
This era started in 1780AD. Previous to this period of time, there was
an era of science and fact. This was known as the era of
enlightenment. This is the purpose of the romantic era, which still
exists today. It was to acquire an escape from the science and
realistic way of life. There are many different well known poets of
this era. For example there is John Keats, William Blake, William
Wordsworth and many more. These poets all had romanticism exposed in a
variety of ways. As well as the traditional sense of love, there are
many other aspects. These other aspects include beauty, nature,
cosmic, glory, religious beliefs and transcendence. The most important
purpose for these poems portrayed the escapism that people wanted to
experience. The nihilism was the main cause of this entire era as
people felt emptiness within them and wanted to escape to a world of
imagination and fiction.
The first poem I will analyse for romantic aspects is a poem called
The Tyger by William Blake. William Blake was born in 1757 and died in
1827.
In this poem, there is a romantic aspect within the title. As
mentioned previously, nature is a part of romanticism. William Blake
has used an animal for the title of this poem. This portrays a
romantic aspect as animals relate to nature. These poems often have
hidden aspects within the text. For example, "what immortal hand or
eye" is a reference to god. This is a romantic aspect as it has
connection to religion. William Blake a...
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...orshipp'st at the Temple's inner shrine,
God being with thee when we know it not"
I think that nature is also said to be a peaceful and enjoyable
feature which makes nature seem as if people use it to turn to as an
escape from reality. This is also another hidden aspect.
It is vivid that all the poems that I have analysed have shown
romanticism in different ways. Some of the ways are religious
references, escapism, cosmic, love, nature and natural beauties. These
are all topics that people think about when trying to escape from
reality and enter a world of their own. This helps to people to relax
and relieve stress. This was the main purpose of all these poems.
Transcendence is also vivid in all of the poems.
As there is no era after the Romantic era, it is logical to say that
this era is still alive today.
After Bethany and Sarah's presentation, "Nature as Woman," I was interested and confused - as were they, I think - by the multiplicity of contradicting views of nature as it relates to gender. According to dominant views on Romanticism, access to nature required a distinctly feminine perspective. Paradoxically, this feminine perspective, entitled ycleped 'sensibility' was to be taken utilized most effectively by men, yet it rested on 'feminine' "emotion [as] … a more pure response to nature" (Fay 5). According to G.J. Barker-Benfield's The Culture of Sensibility "the sentimentalizing process" involved the temperance of a certain 'manliness' that is "uncouth and savage" (288) unless moderated by a feminine influence, thus woman was to use the so-called 'natural' gifts of her sex to lend culture to her more robust and virile counterpart. On first glance, this moderation of 'manly' characteristics appears to lend legitimacy to 'feminine' ideals; however, this apparent liberation of the feminine illuminates two very serious problems. First, as Barker-Benfield points out, 'feminine' ideals are privileged, but only as they serve to improve upon man; woman is not idealised in her own right. In this service of a masculine purpose "woman was to be 'fashioned' by men rather than by herself" (288). Second, the seemingly legitimisation of 'feminine' ideals can appear progressive but, as a result, ultimately serves to authenticate an idea of 'natural femininity that is, in the opinion of many a feminist, a repressive patriarchal social construct that lacks any real biological referent.
“The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” begins with three men walking to attend a wedding. One of the wedding guests’ hand gets grabbed by and old man, the mariner. After the mariner lets go, the wedding guest “listens like a three years child” to the story the mariner is about to tell. The story begins with the mariner and he crew out at sea. The mariner explains it suddenly got dark and they unexpectedly encountered a giant sea bird, called the Albatross. The Albatross was a symbol of good luck, but the mariner felt the need to kill it. The mariner did just that. Once the Albatross was slain the weather got clearer and the crew congratulated him for his...
English Romanticism often has very little to do with the tenets thought of as “romantic”, although love may occasionally tie into the subject. Rather, this Romanticism is a philosophical movement that had redefined the fundamental way in which people thought about themselves, as well as the world all around them. In Praag’s view, “There appears to be influences at work in this world that escape our scientific analysis, but can profoundly influence our existence” (Praag 2018). Meaning, these influences rather help one constitute reality through perceiving what is around us, all while creating a sense of oneself. In the same way, “Concluded amazement—through our imagination—is a primary drive for religiosity. Amazement sets the imagination in
The Romantic period brought a new outlook on how people viewed the world. The fight for individual rights was a major cause for the sudden change. There were too many rules that held people back from being able to express themselves. Once they began to broaden their ideas and practice new motives whether it was political, or emotional, it brought freedom of expression. Many poets took the chance to enlighten their readers on their works. They would write in order to paint a picture and gave more detailed descriptions of the conscious mind. For these poets it brought many people to enjoy their freedom of speech and encouraged a new way of thinking.
2. What are the symbolic significances of the candy store in Lawrence Ferlinghetti's "The Pennycandystore Beyond the El" (Geddes, 318)?
The art of living simply, being one with yourself and nature- romanticism. In the reading, “Walden”, by Thoreau, he describes how he lived in nature for two years. In “Self Reliance” Emerson mentions the importance of your life and the thoughts you think. Dead Poets Society, directed by Peter Weir, is a combination of all of the romantic philosophies. Mr. Keating is a believer of the romantic state of mind.
Romantic: of, characterized by, or suggestive of an idealised, sentimental, or fantastic view of reality… concerned more with feeling and emotion than with form and aesthetic qualities.
There are many different themes that can be used to make a poem both successful and memorable. Such is that of the universal theme of love. This theme can be developed throughout a poem through an authors use of form and content. “She Walks in Beauty,” by George Gordon, Lord Byron, is a poem that contains an intriguing form with captivating content. Lord Byron, a nineteenth-century poet, writes this poem through the use of similes and metaphors to describe a beautiful woman. His patterns and rhyme scheme enthrall the reader into the poem. Another poem with the theme of love is John Keats' “La Belle Dame sans Merci,” meaning “the beautiful lady without mercy.” Keats, another nineteenth-century writer, uses progression and compelling language throughout this poem to engage the reader. While both of these poems revolve around the theme of love, they are incongruous to each other in many ways.
One of the most popular American poets is Walt Whitman. Whitman’s poetry has become a rallying cry for Americans, asking for individuality, self-approval, and even equality. While this poetry seems to be truly groundbreaking, which it objectively was, Whitman was influenced by the writings of others. While Whitman may not have believed in this connection to previous authors, critics have linked him to Emerson, Poe, and even Carlyle. However, many critics have ignored the connection between Walt Whitman and the English writer William Wordsworth. A major proponent of Romanticism, Wordsworth’s influence can be seen in Whitman 's poetry through a Romantic connection. Despite differences in form, one can see William Wordsworth’s influence on Walt
Lord Byron’s works, such as Don Juan and other poems reflect not only the suave and charming characteristics of the Romantic Period, but they also reveal the nature of Byron’s uncommitted and scandalous life. Byron, like most Romantic era authors, was very unpredictable and opinionated in all of his writings. From the hatred of his upbringing, to the love of adventure, and also to the love of meaningless relationships with various women were majorly influenced and illustrated through all of his works and especially in “Don Juan.” Yet he still managed to infiltrate his poems with charm, romance, and heroism. Byron was a perfect fit for the Romantic Period and his poems and he was therefore known as a great contributor towards the era.
Romanticism In Literature Romanticism in literature, began around 1750 and lasted until 1870. Different from the classical ways of Neoclassical Age(1660-1798), it relied on imagination, idealization of nature and freedom of thought and expression. Two men who influenced the era with their writings were William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, both English poets of the time. Their edition of “Lyrical Ballads';, stressed the importance of feeling and imagination. Thus in romantic Literature the code was imagination over reason, emotion over logic, and finally intuition over science.
Blake uses imagery of blood of a soldier on the walls of the palace to
from the rest in that they describe a love that has ended or will end
The time of Romanticism began in the late 18th century and ended around the mid 19th century. Just showing what the Romantic Movement is, it can be shown as a reaction against Neoclassicism.
It seems that Plato and Sir Philip Sidney are somewhat different and alike but Sidney is more relative. He makes it acceptable for poetry to experiment in different things instead of being so serious all the time. Comparing the two essays, Sidney is more realistic and practical about poetry and its meaning than Plato. Plato wants to create something that does not exist in the world-The Perfect Ideal State. There is nothing wrong with wanting to improve your living environment or the world that you live in, but everything will not go away by the snap of a finger. Therefore, Plato only sees things in black and white. Sidney, on the other hand, lives in a more realistic world where everything is already established. Sidney defends poetry as if it is under prosecution by Plato.