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English Victorian and Edwardian Literature

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The English Revolution and Restoration period

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Old-English (Anglo-Saxon) literature (5 th – 11 th centuries

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English Romanticism in Literature (18th-19th Century)

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English Romanticism in Literature (18th-19th Century)

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Overview:

English Romanticism was a literary movement that emerged in the late 18th century and flourished in the 19th century, reacting against the rationalism of the Enlightenment and the industrialization of society. Romantic writers celebrated emotion, imagination, nature, and individualism, often critiquing social norms and exploring the sublime.

Historical Context:

Reaction against Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason and industrialization’s alienation from nature.

Political upheavals like the French Revolution and the rise of democratic ideals influenced Romantic themes.

Key Themes:

Nature: A source of spiritual renewal, beauty, and solace.

Imagination and Emotion: Emphasis on personal feeling and the power of imagination over reason.

Individualism: Focus on the self, personal freedom, and rebellion against societal norms.

The Sublime: Awe-inspiring, sometimes terrifying experiences in nature and life.

Mysticism and the Supernatural: Interest in the unknown and transcendent.

Genres:

Poetry: The core genre, characterized by lyrical, emotional expression.

Gothic Fiction: Focused on dark, supernatural themes (e.g., Frankenstein).

Narrative and Epic Poetry: Long-form poems exploring personal and societal themes.

Major Authors & Works:

William Wordsworth: Lyrical Ballads (1798), I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud (1807) – Celebrated nature, memory, and emotional experience.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (1798), Kubla Khan – Explored the supernatural and the power of imagination.

Lord Byron: Childe Harold's Pilgrimage (1812) – Portrayed the Romantic hero and themes of rebellion and freedom.

Percy Bysshe Shelley: Ozymandias (1818) – Explored revolution, idealism, and nature’s power.

John Keats: Ode to a Nightingale (1819), Ode on a Grecian Urn (1819) – Focused on beauty, mortality, and art.

William Wordsworth (1770-1850):

Wordsworth is the central figure of English Romanticism, known for his love of nature and belief in poetry’s emotional power. His works like Tintern Abbey (1798) and I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud (1807) focus on nature’s restorative power and the significance of childhood memories. Wordsworth’s poetic philosophy emphasized using "the language of common men" to express universal truths.

Legacy:

Romanticism revolutionized literature, emphasizing personal expression and the beauty of the natural world. It laid the foundation for later literary movements, including Victorianism and Modernism, and influenced political thought, environmentalism, and artistic freedom.

Conclusion:

The English Romantic movement reshaped literature by prioritizing emotion, nature, and individuality. Through poets like Wordsworth, it made a lasting impact on poetry, culture, and the way we perceive the natural world and human experience.