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
