Romanticism Flashcards
(31 cards)
What period does the Romantic period in English literature span?
The Romantic period in English literature spans from 1785 to 1830.
What were the significant changes in English society during the Romantic period?
The Romantic period was characterized by significant changes in English society as it shifted from being primarily agricultural to industrial.
What revolutions influenced the Romantic period?
The Romantic period was influenced by the American and French Revolutions.
How did English sympathizers respond to the French Revolution?
English sympathizers initially supported the French Revolution, but as it grew increasingly grim, support waned.
Who initially symbolized the egalitarian principles of the French Revolution?
Napoleon initially symbolized the egalitarian principles of the French Revolution.
What were the economic and social changes that demanded political reforms during the Romantic period?
The period was marked by economic and social changes, such as the Industrial Revolution and the growth of manufacturing, that demanded political reforms.
What were some of the challenges faced by the laboring class during the Romantic period?
The laboring class faced inadequate wages, harsh discipline, and poor working conditions in industries such as coal mining.
Who wrote a critical manifesto in the form of a preface to Lyrical Ballads?
Wordsworth wrote a critical manifesto in the form of a preface to Lyrical Ballads.
What was the purpose of Wordsworth’s critical manifesto?
Wordsworth’s critical manifesto aimed to restore the natural expression of poetry by rejecting the artificial conventions imposed by the literary ancien regime.
What was Coleridge’s opinion of Wordsworth’s Preface?
Coleridge regarded Wordsworth’s Preface as a joint effort and supported his attempt to overthrow the reigning tradition.
What did Romantic poets emphasize in their works?
Romantic poets emphasized individual variations in perception, the capacity of receptive consciousness to filter and recreate reality, and the role of the creative imagination.
What did Wordsworth believe good poetry should be?
Wordsworth believed that good poetry should be a “spontaneous overflow” of feelings and should be free from rules and arise from impulse.
What role did nature play in Romantic poetry?
Nature was often a central theme in Romantic poetry, with poets valuing the sensuous nuances (subtle aspects) of the natural scene and endowing (giving, granting) the landscape with human life and expressiveness.
How did Romantic poets view the landscape?
Romantic poets saw the landscape as a vital entity that participated in the feelings of the observer, often associating it with deep emotions and sentiments.
(Romantic poets thought that the natural scenery was alive and could make people feel things. They believed that the landscape could connect with our emotions and make us have strong feelings inside.)
What was Blake’s view on nature in relation to imagination?
Blake believed that mere nature weakened and deadened imagination in men, suggesting that natural objects were meaningful primarily for their correspondences to an inner or spiritual world. (Blake thought that just nature alone made people’s imagination weaker and less active. He believed that natural things were important mainly because they represented or matched with the inner or spiritual world inside us)
How did Romantic literature differ from the literature of the previous neoclassical period?
Romantic literature differed from the literature of the previous neoclassical period in several ways. Neoclassical literature focused on reason, logic, and following established rules and conventions. It aimed to imitate the works of ancient Greek and Roman writers and emphasized clarity, order, and restraint. In contrast, Romantic literature rejected these strict rules and embraced emotions, individuality, and imagination. Romantic poets celebrated nature, explored the inner world of the human mind, and challenged societal norms. They sought to evoke strong emotions in the reader and aimed for a more personal and subjective expression of experience.
Who were the poets associated with the first wave of Romanticism?
The first wave of Romantic poets, often referred to as the “First Generation,” included William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Their collaboration on the collection “Lyrical Ballads” (1798) is considered a seminal work of Romantic literature.
What were the key themes and characteristics of the first wave of Romantic poets?
The first wave of Romantic poets emphasized the importance of nature, imagination, and individual experience. They sought to reconnect with the natural world and explored the profound influence of nature on human emotions and spiritual growth. Wordsworth, in particular, focused on ordinary experiences and used simple language to convey deep emotions.
Who were the poets associated with the second wave of Romanticism?
The second wave of Romantic poets, known as the “Second Generation,” included Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and John Keats. They emerged in the early 19th century and brought their own unique styles and perspectives to Romantic literature.
What were the key themes and characteristics of the second wave of Romantic poets?
The second wave of Romantic poets delved into themes of individualism, rebellion, and the exploration of intense emotions. They often expressed a sense of longing, melancholy, and yearning for the unattainable. Byron’s poetry was characterized by his larger-than-life persona and his exploration of personal and political freedom. Shelley’s works showcased his visionary and idealistic views, while Keats focused on beauty, sensuality, and the fleeting nature of life.
What were some notable achievements of Romanticism in English literature?
Romanticism in English literature achieved several significant milestones and left a lasting impact on the literary landscape.
1 Emphasis on individualism.
2 Appreciation of nature.
3 Exploration of intense emotions.
4 Imagination and creativity.
5 Challenging societal norms.
6 Focus on the supernatural and the mystical.
7 Development of new literary forms.
How did Romanticism challenge established literary conventions?
Romanticism challenged the dominant neoclassical ideals of order, reason, and restraint that prevailed during the 18th century. It emphasized the importance of individualism, imagination, and emotional expression, rejecting strict adherence to rules and formulas.
What role did nature play in the achievements of Romantic literature?
Nature was very important in Romantic literature. The Romantics found comfort, ideas, and a sense of peace in nature, believing it had wisdom and was beautiful. They celebrated the beauty of nature and how it made them feel, and thought that being in nature helped them learn more about themselves.
How did Romantic poets explore the theme of individualism?
Romantic poets placed a strong emphasis on the individual and the uniqueness of personal experiences. They celebrated the imagination, subjective feelings, and the power of the self. Through their poetry, they sought to express the depths of human emotion and capture the complexities of the individual’s inner world.
