Characteristics of Romantic revival
Introduction
The first thirty years of 19th century is termed as the period of romantic Revival in English literature the Elizabethans were the first romantics, the romantic spirit suffered a decline during the subsequent ages and it was left to especially early nineteenth-century to bring back that spirit once again in Literature.
Romantic Revival is a broad term used to indicate the change that came over literary sensibility and expression during this period romantic Revival was a Revolt against Neo-classical spirit. The Revolt becomes evident when James Thompson published his `The Seasons` - poem in new matter and manner. Collins and Gray enlarged the spirit of romantic movement in odes and elegies, William Blake's most famous publications Songs of Innocence and Songs of experiences were landmarks in the revolution of romantic spirit.
Romanticism is the expression of sensibilities and it highlighted mostly imaginative feelings, critics says that this error went back in history and methodology mythology however it was also return to nature some other aspects of romanticism is intellectual curiosity and simple stick life.
Prominent Romantic revival works
(1) `Lyrical Ballads` by William Wordsworth
(2) `The Seasons` by James Thomson
(3) `Songs of Innocence` and `Songs of Experiences`
Renaissance: the first Romantic period
The Supreme romantic Movement in English literature begins from Renaissance this brought a transformation not only in England but other European countries too. Renaissance means revival to revive something whether it is Literature or art. Renaissance was followed by classism by a reason, logic order and sanity after Renaissance came the Revival period which is considered also as romantic Revival in the beginning of 19 century and new transformation was given to literature and arts.
Characteristics of Romantic revival
(1) Dominance of Imagination & Emotions
In romantic poetry intellect and reason were vanished and their place were taken by imagination, emotion and passion. All the romantic poets were highlighted emotional sentiments and imagination that was not in existence in previous ages.
The focus on emotion is a key characteristics of nearly all the writings from the romantic period. Romantic era described all forms of emotion like love, sorrow, loneliness and more. Mary Shelley's famous work Frankenstein is the best example of emotional characterization here a monster shows his feelings and other emotions, expressions of anger and sadness.
(2) Glorification of nature
Nature plays a huge role in romantic literature however nature sometimes seen as the opposite of rational, it is the powerful symbol of work from the era. Romantic writers give some deep description of nature and its wild and powerful qualities in a naturalistic way.
In To Autumn poem by John Keats described his emotions and the symbols of natural elements. Keats was aware that he was dying of consumption but his celebration of Autumn symbolizes the beauty is in short term life.
(3) Super-naturalism & Spiritualism
Super-naturalism is another outstanding quality of romantic poetry, mystery and wonder was added by Poets like Scott and S.T Coleridge. Many critics make a romantic Revival as a Renaissance of Wonder because of supernatural elements many romantic poets and writers introduced the Gothic literature as dark and horror genres.
(4) Return of Lyrics
During the romantic movement the poetry once more become more musical sensual and passionate instead of intellectual expression of feeling leads to lyrical mode of expression. P B Shelley give a new scope and richness and to lyrical versus. The romantics of Europe in England were the first in order this quality keep in fresh and alive despite all changes and outlook of lyrics.
This era of romantic poets give a number of fine lyrics in form of Heroic couplet and also lyrics provides some melody and sweetness of tone to Poetry.
(5) Application of Aesthetic beauty and Artistic creativity
Romantic literature also explore the theme of aesthetic beauty not just of nature but of peoples as well this is essentially concerned with description of female beauty, writers of romantic Era praised women for their natural loveliness.
`She walks in beauty` by Lord Byron is the best example of aesthetic beauty appreciation during romantic era.
This era also given the most important to creative impulse which celebrated the power of creativity and presented their artistic views. Romantic poets and writers look the world very differently and celebrated the vision in their works.
`The prelude` by William Wordsworth is the best example of creativity during romantic moment.
(6) Theme of Solitude
Writers of romantic era believed that creative inspiration came from solitary exploration, solitude means to like being alone and they celebrated being alone. Solitude can be seen as loneliness and much needed space to think and create. We can see them of Solitude in many literary Works from this period like,
(1) Frost at midnight by ST Coleridge
(2) I wandered lonely as a cloud poem by William Wordsworth
(7) Representation of simple life
Before romantic writers Augustus also written about common simple life of people. Wordsworth and his contemporaries tries to write in very simplest languages and written about simple common countryside. Usually characters were people from village.
The group of Lake poets William Wordsworth, St Coleridge, Southey and their followers achieved popularity by using simplest language in the literature.
Romantic poetry was also influenced by common simple country life like Coffee houses, clubs, drawing rooms were presented. Rather than writing about towns and cities a literature shifted to village life that was very simplest in nature.
(8) Liberty and Freedom
The base of romantic poetry laid on liberty and freedom of individual and also society, romantic poets were rebels against the dictatorship and brutality over human beings. We have noted the rebellions again traditions and absolute power.
(9) Introducing new themes
Romantic poetry is a variety of new themes, poetry of this age depended on character and mood of different writers new themes of Solitude, subjectivity, nature orientation, individuality, love, Liberty, Supernatural elements, country Life, lyrics, emotional themes were presented.
(10) Autobiographical works and personification
Literary works of romantic Era deeply personal and they often explore the self of Writers, we can see autobiographical works in poems and prose style. However the most important genre was creativity and emotional artistic work. We can see the profound influence of confessional poetry mid 1900s like ,
`Rousseau`s confessions` by Jean Jacques
Romantic poets and prose writers very well used the personification in their works, best examples of personification are from everything from birds to animal to natural events or aspects. This works also personifies the feelings of love or state of death.
Conclusion
As we sum up W.J long presented some silent characteristics of romantic Revival that romanticism is the protest against the bondage of rules, the return of to nature, the interest in middle ages and ancient literature.
Famous poets
(1)William Wordsworth
(2) S. T Coleridge
(3) P. B Shelley
(4) Lord Byron
(5) John Keats
(6) Robert Burns
(7) William Blake
