Romanticism

Introduction

Romanticism and Classicism are 2 extremely intriguing terms in art and literature rather

they are used loosely in common parlance critics have done their best efforts to explain

these terms. It is very difficult to define the term „Romanticism‟. Romanticism is a good and

general but complex unavoidable modern term applied the deep change in European

sensibility to art and creativity that occurs towards the end of the 18th century and

dominates much of European culture in the first half of the 19th century.

Etymology

Etymology of the word Roman means language which is known as Roman that is Latin and

the language of province the Traverse wrote poems of love in the language of province. In

different periods of literary history the term had under gone changes.

Actually speaking, Elizabethans belongs to Romanticism as Shakespeare was the first

who introduced the spirit of Romanticism but he had to successor to carry on it. In 1667

according to oxford dictionary Romanticism means, something to a fibulas or fictitious

having no foundation infect in 1711 it meant the imaginary and purely ideal like wise every

age has explanation for the romance of their period.

Romanticism is an important literary movement which began in Western Europe during 17th

century and went on till the second half of 18th century.

History of Romanticism

The Romantic Movement though was rooted in the German philosophy has been prized

intuition and emotions, from the ideology and event of French revolutions. In England

Romanticism is spread everywhere.

Example – Elizabethan Age

In most fields the romantic period is said to be over by about 1850 or earlier.

Romanticism as a regular literary movement spread after 1798 in the Romanticism didn‟t

emerge quickly follows by Pre-Romanticism. The German and French philosopher ‟s

contribution to spread the Romantic element in literature. The Romanticism has a complex

& interesting history.

Romanticism expresses a new delight in theme, feelings and expression. In this way, the

send of romanticism was shown by Thomson and Grew Copper, Collins, Burns. They are

considered the forerunner of romantic poets. Later on romanticism was revived fully with

the publication of “Lyrical Ballads” [1798] by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor

Coleridge.

In the ages romantic denoted the new Vernacular languages derived from Latin. Thus a

roman came to be known as an imaginative work. Friedrich Schlegel is the first person

established the term romantic in literary context. It is derived from „Romance‟.

Victor Hugo also played on important role in Romantic Movement the publication of Hugo‟s

Hernany has contributed to the Romantic Movement.

The path for William Wordsworth and Coleridge was paved by Pre Romanticism like,

Thomson who is first romantic poet. Thomson‟s “Season” is romantic creation. Later on

Wordsworth, Coleridge, Keats, Shelley, gave a proper shape to Romanticism. They

expressed their social and political sentiments and response in their works. They mainly

focused on nature & primitive, uncivilized way of life. They growing interest in scenery and

expressed subjectivity. They also emphasized on natural religion and the power of

imagination.

The Romantic Movement can Observed in German also. They were divided into 2 groups.

Early Romantic‟s who all poets were. They were also the philosophers and the theologian

like Schelling. Baader and others High Romantics were Brentano, Chamiisso, Hoffman and

others.

The romantics are not interpreters but creators. So their poetry is suggestive and symbolic.

The Romanticism has been considered synonymous with attractive, unselfish, ornamental,

unread, realistic, irrational, materialistic, futile, heroic, mysterious, soulful ad such terms.

First generation of romantics was Coleridge and William Wordsworth, both for the first time

emphasized, upon the aims and objects of the new poetry. They introduced a number of

meters and they rejected poetic diction of 18th century. They favored the simplicity of

theme.

The second generationof the romantics was Keats, Shelley and Byron. They could get fame

after their death. Keats was considered as the worshipper and a Lyrist of the first order.

Byron was the most passionate poet.

Features of Romanticism

1. Break from set-rules

The Romanticism is a strong reaction and protest against the bondage of rules and customs

in Science, Theology and Literature. It was highly under the impact of the French Revolution

[1798] and the saying of Rousseau “Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chain.”

2. Interest in country life

Poetry in the 18th century was concerned with clubs, coffee-lover drawing rooms and

social as well as political life of London. Thus, the romantics had shown a keen interest

in country life. The life of farmers and shepherds. Nature began to have its own

importance in the poetry of this age for instance. Wordsworth revealed the physical

and spiritual beauty of nature.

3. Love of liberty and freedom

Romanticism emphasized the liberty and freedom of individual. Thus, the romantic

poets protested against tyranny and brutality exercised by tyrants over human beings.

Freedom is the breath in which the romantic poets‟ breath in which the romantic poets

breathed I freely. Byron and Shelly was champion of human liberty.

4. Love for nature

It is perhaps the most outstanding characteristic of romantic poetry. John Keats was a

strong follower of beauty as he said,

„A thing of beauty is a joy-forever‟.

The romantics didn‟t only mean the sights and sounds of God made nature. The vast

world of trees, flowers, mountains, birds, stars etc.

Example- William Wordsworth, many of his poems like „Solitary Reaper‟ &„Daffodils‟has

described the element simplicity of life. Nature was not only appreciated for visual

beauty, but also reversed for its ability to help the urban and man fined his true

identity.

Predominance of Imagination & Emotion

In romantic poetry reaction and intellect subdued and their place was taken by imagination,

emotion and passion. In the works of heightened emotional sensibility and imaginative,

feelings, romanticism laced human emotions, feelings instinct and intuition above

everything etc.

The romantic writers treated their emotions and feelings can be confirmed from the

definition of poetry by Wordsworth, “Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful

feelings”. Imagination and emotions are more important than reason and rules.

Supernaturalism [wonder &mystery]

It is another outstanding quality of romanticism. Due to Supernaturalism, one cans the

atmosphere of wonder and mystery. Romantics were interested in the medieval past, the

mystical the” gothic and the exotic.

The romantics were interested in the supernatural elements can also be seen in Coleridge‟s,

„Kubla Khan‟, „The Rime of The Ancient the Mariner „and Keats‟s „La Bella Dame sans

Marcie‟, William Black‟s collations songs of „Innocence‟.

Conclusion

In short Romanticism instilled a new spirit and a new direction to literature. It made man

the central theme of all and music. English Romanticism is both a revolt against the 18th

century tradition and convention, it is a revival of old English meters and old English

masters of poetry. It upheld the dignity and value of man. Thus, Romanticism has made

invaluable contribution to literature.