This blog is crafted in response to Megha ma'am. It discusses a characteristic of Romantic poetry, with examples from Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Characteristics of romantic poetry:-
Defination of Romantic age :-
" A literary and artistic movement marked chiefly by an emphasis on the imagination and emotion."
Romantic poetry, which began in the late 18th century, is known for focusing on emotions, imagination, and a deep connection to nature. Poets during this time wanted to move away from the strict rules of earlier poetry and explore more personal and emotional themes. Here are the main features of Romantic poetry explained in simple terms, with examples from William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge:
1) William Wordsworth :-
William Wordsworth ( Born :- 7 April, Died :- 23 April 1850 ) was an English romantic poet. Known for his love of nature and simple , heartfelt poetry. He was leader of the romantic movement, which focused on emotions , the beauty of nature, and personal experiences. Wordsworth believed that poetry should talk about real people, nature and personal feelings.
2) Samuel Taylor Coleridge :-
Samuel Taylor Coleridge ( Born :- 21 October, 1772 , Died :- 25 July 1834 ) was an English poet, literary critic, philosopher and a founder of the romantic movement in England. He is best known for his poems ' The rime of the ancient mariner and kubla khan , as well as his collaboration with William Wordsworth in Lyrical ballad ( 1798 ) , a key text that helped launch english romanticism. Coleridge's work often explores themes of nature , the supernatural and imagination.
Characteristics of romantic poetry :-
Here are the characteristics of Romantic poetry
1) Emphasis on nature :-
Nature is the central characteristics of romantic poetry. Romantic poets believed that nature was more than just a background for life . They thought nature had its own spirit and could teach people important life lessons. Example from Wordsworth: in his poem " Tintern Abbey ". Wordsworth talks About how nature makes him feel peaceful and wise . Few lines of poetry;
" Nature never did betray the heart that loved her ."
This means that nature never lets down those who love and respect it.
2) Strong feelings and images :-
Romantic poets believed that feelings and imagination were more important than logic or rules. They wanted to express deep emotions in their poems and create powerful images in reader's mind . Example from Coleridge: in" kubla khan" , Coleridge describes a magical, dream like world .
" In Xanadu did kubla khan a stately pleasure - dome decree ..."
The poem shows the strength of Coleridge's imagination, creating a fantasy world that feels real and mysterious.
3) The Sublime :-
The sublime is a feeling of amazement mixed with fear , often inspired by nature's power and beauty. Romantic poets loved to describe these overwhelming experiences in their poetry . Example from Wordsworth : in ' The prelude ' , Wordsworth remembers being terrified and amazed by a huge moutain while rowing on lake -
" A huge peak , black and huge ,
as if with voluntary power instinct
Upreared its head ".
This experience of the sublime causes a mix of fear and wonder, leaving a lasting impression on the poet.The mountain's sheer size and power overwhelm him, evoking a sense of his own smallness in comparison to the vast forces of nature.
4) Focus on the Individual and Everyday People :-
Romantic poets believed that the feelings and experiences of every person were important, not just those of kings or famous people. They often wrote about ordinary people and their daily lives . In Wordsworth's " lines written in early spring." Wordsworth thinks about nature and feels sad about what humans have done to each other and the world .
"Have I not reason to lament,
What man has made of man "?
Wordsworth reflects on the harm people cause, showing that even simple thoughts and feelings are worth exploring in poetry.
5) Melancholy and reflection on loss:-
Many Romantic poems explore feelings of melancholy, nostalgia, and loss. This often ties into a longing for the innocence of childhood or a simpler past, as well as reflection on personal grief and existential concerns.
Coleridge in " Dejection: An ode ". Coleridge expresses his deep sadness and loss of joy . He laments the fading of his once powerful imagination , which had been a source of beauty and inspiration.
" A grief without a pany, void, dark and drear,
A stifled , drowsy, unimpassioned ,l grief,
which finds no natural outlet , no relief
In word, or sigh , or tear ."
This reflects Coleridge's inner struggles and the sadness that often permeates romantic poetry.
Thus Romantic poetry is about deep emotions, love for nature, and imagination. Poets like Wordsworth and Coleridge focused on personal feelings, the beauty of nature, and sometimes even strange, supernatural events.
Why do the (1798) mark an important literary epoch?
The year 1798 is considered a major turning point in literary history because it marks the publication of Lyrical Ballads by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. This collection of poems is seen as the beginning of the Romantic Movement in English literature, which brought a major shift in themes, style, and philosophy compared to the previous literary period, the Age of Enlightenment (or Neoclassical era). Here are the reasons why 1798 marks such an important literary epoch:
1 ) Birth of romanticism
2) Rejection of neoclassical traditions
3) Focusing on ordinary people
4) Celebration of nature
5) The role of the imagination
1) Birth of romanticism:-
The publication of Lyrical Ballads in 1798 is seen as the official start of Romanticism, a style of writing that focused on feelings, imagination, nature, and personal experiences. Before this, literature was more about reason, order, and following strict rules.
2) Rejection of neoclassical traditions :-
During the Neoclassical period followed strict rules and focused on logic and reason. Poets wrote in a formal, polished style. Wordsworth and Coleridge broke these rules by using simpler language and focusing more on emotions and ordinary people.
3) Focus on ordinary people:-
Wordsworth believed that poetry should be written in the language that everyday people use, not in a fancy or complicated way. He also wrote about ordinary people and their experiences, which was different from the earlier focus on rich or powerful people.
4) celebration of nature:-
Nature became a big theme in Romantic poetry. Wordsworth, in particular writing about the beauty of nature and how it made people feel peaceful and connected. He believed nature could teach us important lessons about life.
5) The role of the imagination :-
The poets also believed that the imagination was very powerful. They thought it allowed people to see the world in new ways and understand things more deeply. Coleridge’s poems, like "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," showed how imagination could create strange, magical worlds.
Conclusion :-
Romantic poetry focuses on deep emotions, love for nature, and the power of imagination. It uses simple language to express personal feelings and breaking away from strict rules of earlier poetry. Romantic poets believed nature and imagination could teach important life lessons.The year 1798 is important because it marks the start of the Romantic Movement with the publication of Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge. This changed poetry by focusing on emotions, nature, and simple language, breaking away from the old, strict styles, and making poetry more personal and relatable.
Thank you
Reference :-
https://en.wikicpedia.org
No comments:
Post a Comment