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William Blake was a poet and a rebel against the rationalist philosophy of the 18th century. Blake was worried about, and saw the negative effects of the rapidly developing industrial and commercial society he lived in, as well as the restrictive influences of institutions such as the government and the church. He saw the potential dangers in mass society in which individuals become dehumanized. William Blake used symbols in his poems, and they became increasingly more abstract as he grew old. One of the characteristics of Blake’s poems is that he saw the world in terms of opposites, and several of his poems are written in pars. He was not a recognized man while he lived, and the common opinion was that he was gifted yet insane, but he is quite recognized today.

William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote the Lyrical Ballads. The two authors focused on the fact that their Lyrical Ballads had to be in a language that every man would understand, and they dealt with regular problems and incidents that people were dealing with at that time - poetry was a man speaking to men. Both Wordsworth and Coleridge retreated into reactionary conservatism later on in life.

Wordsworth’s poems focused on the childhood as a concept and the celebration of the nature. Wordsworth took a step back from the industrialized life and celebrated to spirit of the man in harmony with his natural environment. Wordsworth thought that one could find oneself, simply by taking the existence back to a more fundamental level.

Coleridge’s poems focused on the supernatural mixed up with the everyday reality. In one of his most recognized works, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, he focuses on the medieval universe, where love and mystery, like many of his other works, was the subject.

All of these poets created a new kind of poetry, which were innovative both in subject as well as in form and language and ushered in a new era of romanticism.

Questions:

- Which problems did Blake see in the 18th century?

- What did Wordsworth and Coleridge write together?

- What was the subject and their vision with their work authored together?

- What did Wordsworth focus on in his poems?

-   What did Coleridge focus on in his poems?

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Sine, Caroline og Maria.

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Britain
1776-1837 - Christina, Lasse and Kristine 

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Britain
1776-1837 - Christina, Lasse and Kristine 

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Continuity and change

George the third was king of the Great Britain and Ireland from 1760 to 1820. In this

period Britain continued to develop economically and politically, despite many difficulties from foreign powers. Both France and industrial revolution places enormous pressure on the stability of British society, but reforms saved the country from a social revolution.

British society

In the nineteenth century Britain rised in population. In 1770 there were 8,3 million

people in the country. In 1821 the population had risen to 14,2 million people. The population was divided into three social classes.

The landowners and aristocracy: This class had rules the country for centuries and held most of the wealth. They were the only ones who could vote, and they dominated all the professions.

The businessmen and industrialists: They worked hard, and because of them the British economy was thriving. They were becoming rich, but they did not have any rights to vote.

The masses: the vast majority of the population belonged to this class. They were poor and many of them were forced to leave the country to get jobs in factories, because of economic reasons.

The economy

All these social classes influenced the thriving economy.

Between 1700 and 1800 exports had risen by 500 percent, and by 1800 Britain was the

most industrialised country in the world.

Different factories contributed to the success. The colonies were a source of cheap raw materials. The bank of England helped industrialists to get money to finance their projects. Also the transport system, especially the railways were developed and could finally provide a cheap source of energy. Factories were springing up in small towns, and in the large cities specialised in certain goods like cotton and steel. Despite the improvements in industrial and agricultural production, most people continued living like they did in the middle of the eighteenth century, under bad conditions. Cities became overcrowded and the army had sometimes to be called in to keep low and order in the absence of a police force. Work conditions did not improve either, and workers worked under bad conditions for long hours and a pad payment.

Questions:

What happened to the population in 1821, and how was the population divided?

What was special about the different social classes? Explain the differences.

In which way was Britain the most industrialised country in the world?

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- Colonies and The changing face og Britain.

During the Napoleonic wars Brittan began to gain more colonies and Brittan became more and more power full. By 1820 Britain had 200 million people under them, that were 26 % of the world population.
The industrial era began and the royals lost some power and now had to work with the business man, and the life equality of workers were improved. Britain became the most power full nation at that time. They traid with plenty countries and with the recourses that they gained from the colonies they quickly became rich.

What did Brittan gain by concurring these new colonies?

How was the live in Britain improved?

How many percent of the world population were under Britain?

How was the economy of Brittan at the time?

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Political revolution, coercion and reform

The British people were inspired by the French revolution to make a revolution of their own. There was over 60.000 people who demonstrated against the high price of bread. The high price on bread was due to the first corn law, which banned import of foreign corn. At this demonstration 11 people died, and it is now called Peterloo because it rhymes with Waterloo.
The Peterloo massacre was an example of how the government used power to get will through. They passed an act of Coercion, which banned all public meetings. They later realized that the society had to change to keep pace with economic progress. Because of that the government felt necessary to introduce lots of reforms. Here is a few of the most important reforms:

·  In 1825 Trade unions were recognised and factory owners formed their own associations.

·  A police force was established in 1829

·  Non-protestants were allowed to have state jobs in 1829. Before this date only protestants could hold public office.

·  Businessmen and industrialists were given the vote in 1832

·  The Factory Act of 1833 limited working hours and prevented children under nine from working

·  A taxation system was introduced which helped pay for the new social services

·  A system of national primary education was set up in 1834

·  A local government was established in every town. Sewerage systems were built and streets were lit, with the result that people's health improved and crime levels dropped.

These reforms continued to sprout for a long period, and therefore they did not change Britain over a night. The reforms were a starting point for more justice, democracy and religious tolerance in the society, and they guaranteed decent living and working conditions for everyone.

1.  How many died in Peterloo and what does it rhymes with?

2.  Why did the people demonstrate?

3.  What did everyone get out of the reforms?

4.  Why did the government decide to make these reforms?

5.  Who secured the streets from 1829?

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- ROMANTIC FICTION

In the romantic period there is three different types of novels, the historical novel, the Gothic novel and the novel of manners.

The historical novel:

Sir Walter Scott is set to be the inventor of the genre. Some of the characteristics of his work are set in more passionate times. He used historical figures and was very detailed about the political and social content. There are two major romantic elements in Scott’s work - he described the nature and the lives of ordinary people.

The Gothic novel:

The interest for this genre appeared in the second half of the 18th century. They are based of tales of the macabre, the fantastic and the supernatural. The setting were usually haunted castles, graveyards, ruins etc. The romantic characteristics of the gothic novel are wild, natural settings, the middle-ages and unfettered imagination. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was the greatest of the gothic novels set in the romantic period.

The novel of manners:

Characterization and plot were very important in novel of manners. Jane Austen stands out as an important writer to this genre and she focused a lot on social hierarchies. It is a classical form and it does not leave much room for romantic passion, imagination or sentimentalism.

Questions:

1. List the three types of novels in the romantic period.

2. List the three authors mentioned in the three genres.

3. When did the public taste for gothic novels begin?

4. What are the romantic characteristics of the historical novel?

5. What is the greatest work of Mary Shelley?

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THE WAR WITH FRANCE

The war lasted for more than tweenty years. From 1793 until 1815. They fought for domination of the world's markets and trade routes in Europe, America, India and Africa. A quarter of the male population took part in the war. Victories gave Britain the upper hand and better resources.

IRELAND

France would use Ireland as a base to attack Britain. In 1798 a group of Irish rebels called the "United Irishmen", were dissatisfied with the limited form of self-rule the island had, organised and armed insurrection to press for full independence. French efforts to deploy their troops failed. To secure British rule in Ireland, the Act of Union was passed in 1801. Now Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom.

1) How long did the war with France take?

2) What did they fought for?

3) What would the France use Ireland as?

4) What was the group of Irish rebels called?

5) What was passed in 1801 and why?