Romanticism. Chapter 1: What is Romanticism? 2011 Fall Sehjae Chun

Transcription

1 Romanticism Chapter 1: What is Romanticism? 2011 Fall Sehjae Chun

2 What is Romanticism? Romanticism refers to a movement in art, literature, and music during the 19 th century. Origins Romance Taking root as a movement following the French Revolution in 1789 The publication of Lyrical Ballads by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1798 They never claimed themselves as Romantics 2

3 The background of Romanticism Harmony, Uniform, Mathematical, Intellectual Liberty, Equality, Fraternity Classicism French Revolution romanticism Enlightenment Rationalism Industrial Revolution The power of human reason, Innovations, Motive for the French Revolution Materialism, Utilitarianism, Intuition, Imagination, and Feeling

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5 The Romantic Era ( ) Red: First Generation of Romantic Poets' Poems Blue: Second Generation of Romantic Poets' Poems

6 Major Players 6

7 Romantic Poets Traits of The First Generation of Romantic Poets * The First Generation of Romantic Poets: - William Blake ( ) - William Wordsworth ( ) - Samuel Taylor Coleridge ( ) * A celebration of nature * Emphasis on individuals and individual feelings * Fervent progressives Resigned conservatives Poetic accomplishment: simplicity in language, theme, and versification

8 Romantic Poets Traits of The Second Generation of Romantic Poets * The Second Generation of Romantic Poets: - Lord Byron ( ) - Percy Shelley ( ) - John Keats ( ) * More skeptical of the hopes for democratic new beginnings * A sharpened longing for change and progress * Their rebellion is a total war without truce

9 Characteristics of Romanticism Romanticism is characterized by the 5 I s Imagination Intuition Idealism Inspiration Individuality 9

10 Imagination Imagination > Reason This was a backlash against the rationalism characterized by the Neoclassical period or Age of Reason. British writer Samuel Taylor Coleridge called it intellectual intuition. 10

11 Intuition Romantics placed value on intuition, or feeling and instincts, over reason. William Wordsworth s definition of poetry the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings. 11

12 Idealism Influence of French Revolution Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, held that the mind forces the world we perceive to take the shape of space-and-time. William Wordsworth & Coleridge s Pantisocracy 12

13 Inspiration The Romantic artist as inspired creator rather than a technical master. Romantic Genius vs. Trained Technician What this means is going with the moment or being spontaneous, rather than getting it precise. 13

14 Individuality Individuality > Totality Women s Rights & Abolitionism 14

15 Anna Barbauld ( ) A Poet of Bluestocking A Poet of 2 Generations A Poet of a Sentimental Anthropomorphism A Poet of Independence 15

16 William Blake ( ) A Poet of "Dialectical Contraries" A Poet of Illuminated Books A Poet of Mythology A Poet of Social Criticism 16

17 Robert Burns ( ) A Poet of Scottish Patriotism A Poet of Republicanism A Poet of Sympathy 17

18 William Wordsworth ( ) A Poet of Nature A Poet of Memory and Remembrance A Poet of Revolution 18

19 Samuel Taylor Coleridge ( ) A Poet of Supernatural Nature A Poet of Conversation Poems A Poet of Radicalism A Poet of Imagination 19

20 Lord Byron ( ) A Poet of a Romantic paradox A Poet of Byronic Hero A Poet of Romantic Aspiration A Poet of Freedom 20

21 Percy Bysshe Shelley ( ) A Poet of Vision A Poet of Nature A Poet of Radical Idealism 21

22 John Clare ( ) A Poet of Nature A Poet of Countryside A Poet of Environment 22

23 John Keats ( ) A Poet of Negative Capability A Poet of Resistance A Poet of Beauty A Poet of 'posthumous existence' 23

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25 Poetic Subjects Nature Exotic Melancholy Ordinary Life Melodramatic facts that evoke passion 25

26 Poetic Interests The Past Ruins in contact with nature Mythic and legendary material Low culture 26

27 Further Questions 1. Why do we study Romanticism? 2. What are the literary movements before and after romanticism and their characteristics? 3. What is the significance of romanticism? 4. What are the strength and weakness of romanticism as a social movement? 5. Can you consider yourself romantic? 27