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IntroductionIntroduction The Romantic PeriodThe Romantic Period by by Harley HenryHarley Henry http://www.nexuslearning.net/books/http://www.nexuslearning.net/books/
Elements_of_lit_Course6/The_%20RoElements_of_lit_Course6/The_%20Romantic_Period/Romantic%20Period%mantic_Period/Romantic%20Period%20Intro.htm20Intro.htm
The Beginning The Beginning
The divine arts of imagination: imagination, The divine arts of imagination: imagination, the real & eternal world of which this the real & eternal world of which this vegetable universe is but a faint shadow.vegetable universe is but a faint shadow. —William Blake —William Blake
The publication of a collection of poems The publication of a collection of poems called called Lyrical BalladsLyrical Ballads, a collaboration , a collaboration between William Wordsworth and between William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, began the Samuel Taylor Coleridge, began the Romantic period in England.Romantic period in England.
During the spring of 1798, two young During the spring of 1798, two young English poets, aged 27 and 25, sold English poets, aged 27 and 25, sold some of their poems to raise money for some of their poems to raise money for a trip to Germany. Each had published a trip to Germany. Each had published books of poetry, but a new joint work books of poetry, but a new joint work was to be anonymous. As Samuel was to be anonymous. As Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the younger of the Taylor Coleridge, the younger of the pair, told the printer: “Wordsworth’s pair, told the printer: “Wordsworth’s name is nothing . . . mine name is nothing . . . mine stinksstinks.”.”
Soon after they left England, their book, Soon after they left England, their book, Lyrical Ballads, with a Few Other PoemsLyrical Ballads, with a Few Other Poems, , appeared. Among the “few other appeared. Among the “few other poems” was Coleridge’s long narrative poems” was Coleridge’s long narrative The Rime of the Ancient MarinerThe Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Collection 8) and a last-minute (Collection 8) and a last-minute addition, Wordsworth’s “Lines addition, Wordsworth’s “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey” (Collection 8). Both of these Abbey” (Collection 8). Both of these works are now among the most works are now among the most important poems in English literature.important poems in English literature.
So began what is now called the So began what is now called the “Romantic period” in England. “Romantic period” in England. Literary historians have found other Literary historians have found other momentous events to mark its momentous events to mark its beginning and end, but we should beginning and end, but we should remember the casual, modest remember the casual, modest appearance of appearance of Lyrical BalladsLyrical Ballads as we as we consider the Romantic period and the consider the Romantic period and the writers associated with it.writers associated with it.
DefinitionDefinition RomanticismRomanticism is a complex artistic, literary, and intellectual is a complex artistic, literary, and intellectual
movement that originated in the second half of movement that originated in the second half of the the 18th century18th century in in Western EuropeWestern Europe, and gained , and gained strength in reaction to the strength in reaction to the Industrial RevolutionIndustrial Revolution..[1][1] In part, it was a revolt against aristocratic In part, it was a revolt against aristocratic social and political norms of the social and political norms of the Age of EnlightenmentAge of Enlightenment and a reaction against the and a reaction against the scientific rationalization of nature,scientific rationalization of nature,[2][2] and was and was embodied most strongly in the visual arts, music, embodied most strongly in the visual arts, music, and literature, but can be detected even in and literature, but can be detected even in changed attitudes towards children and changed attitudes towards children and education. education.
Important Historical EventsImportant Historical Events
Political upheaval in France and Political upheaval in France and the United States touched the United States touched England as well. Conservative England as well. Conservative economic and political measures economic and political measures and a lengthy war against and a lengthy war against Napoleon consolidated the Napoleon consolidated the power of the rich.power of the rich.
Turbulent Times, Bitter RealitiesTurbulent Times, Bitter Realities We think about this era in terms of some We think about this era in terms of some
important historical events. Beginning in important historical events. Beginning in America in 1776, an age of revolution America in 1776, an age of revolution swept across western Europe, releasing swept across western Europe, releasing political, economic, and social forces that political, economic, and social forces that produced, during the next century, some of produced, during the next century, some of the most radical changes ever experienced the most radical changes ever experienced in human life. Another way to date the in human life. Another way to date the Romantic period is to say that it started Romantic period is to say that it started with the French Revolution in 1789 and with the French Revolution in 1789 and ended with the Parliamentary reforms of ended with the Parliamentary reforms of 1832 that laid the political foundations for 1832 that laid the political foundations for modern Britain. modern Britain.
The era was dominated by six poets: Three The era was dominated by six poets: Three (William Blake, William Wordsworth, and Samuel (William Blake, William Wordsworth, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge) were born before the period Taylor Coleridge) were born before the period began and lived through most or all of it, while began and lived through most or all of it, while three others (the “second generation” of Percy three others (the “second generation” of Percy Bysshe Shelley, John Keats, and George Gordon, Bysshe Shelley, John Keats, and George Gordon, Lord Byron) began their short careers in the Lord Byron) began their short careers in the second decade of the new century but died second decade of the new century but died before 1825. It was a turbulent, revolutionary before 1825. It was a turbulent, revolutionary age, one in which England changed from an age, one in which England changed from an agricultural society to an industrial nation with a agricultural society to an industrial nation with a large and restless working class concentrated in large and restless working class concentrated in the teeming mill towns.the teeming mill towns.
The American Revolution had lost for England her The American Revolution had lost for England her thirteen colonies. This was a great economic loss, thirteen colonies. This was a great economic loss, but it was also a loss of prestige and of but it was also a loss of prestige and of confidence. The more radical revolution in France, confidence. The more radical revolution in France, which started with the storming of the prison which started with the storming of the prison called the Bastille on July 14, 1789, had far more called the Bastille on July 14, 1789, had far more serious repercussions. For the ruling classes in serious repercussions. For the ruling classes in England, the French Revolution came to represent England, the French Revolution came to represent their worst fears: the overthrow of an anointed their worst fears: the overthrow of an anointed king by a democratic “rabble.” To English king by a democratic “rabble.” To English conservatives, the French Revolution meant the conservatives, the French Revolution meant the triumph of radical principles, and they feared that triumph of radical principles, and they feared that the revolutionary fever would spread across the the revolutionary fever would spread across the Channel.Channel.
But democratic idealists and liberals like But democratic idealists and liberals like Wordsworth felt exhilarated by the Wordsworth felt exhilarated by the events in France. During the revolution’s events in France. During the revolution’s early years, they even made trips to early years, they even made trips to France to view the “new regime” at first France to view the “new regime” at first hand, as if it were a tourist attraction like hand, as if it were a tourist attraction like the Acropolis in Greece. Wordsworth later the Acropolis in Greece. Wordsworth later wrote, “Bliss was it in that dawn to be wrote, “Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, / But to be young was very alive, / But to be young was very heaven!”heaven!”
Even Wordsworth became Even Wordsworth became disillusioned, however, when in 1792 disillusioned, however, when in 1792 the “September massacre” took place the “September massacre” took place in France. in France. Hundreds of French aristocrats—some Hundreds of French aristocrats—some with only the slightest ties to the with only the slightest ties to the regime of King Louis XVI—had theirregime of King Louis XVI—had theirheads severed from their bodies by a heads severed from their bodies by a grisly new invention, the guillotine.grisly new invention, the guillotine.
And that wasn’t the end of it. In the And that wasn’t the end of it. In the midst of the blood and turmoil and calls midst of the blood and turmoil and calls from France for worldwide revolution, from France for worldwide revolution, control of the French government control of the French government changed hands again. Napoleon changed hands again. Napoleon Bonaparte, an officer in the French Bonaparte, an officer in the French army, emerged first as dictator and army, emerged first as dictator and then, in 1804, as emperor of France. In then, in 1804, as emperor of France. In the end, Napoleon— whose very name the end, Napoleon— whose very name today suggests a tyrant—became as today suggests a tyrant—became as ruthless as the executed king himself.ruthless as the executed king himself.
All of these bewildering changes in western All of these bewildering changes in western Europe made conservatives in England Europe made conservatives in England more rigid than ever. England instituted more rigid than ever. England instituted severe repressive measures: They outlawed severe repressive measures: They outlawed collective bargaining and kept suspected collective bargaining and kept suspected spies or agitators in prison without a trial. In spies or agitators in prison without a trial. In 1803, England began a long war against 1803, England began a long war against Napoleon. English guns first defeated Napoleon. English guns first defeated Napoleon’s navy at the Battle of Trafalgar Napoleon’s navy at the Battle of Trafalgar and, finally, in 1815, with the help of allies, and, finally, in 1815, with the help of allies, sent his army packing at Waterloo, sent his army packing at Waterloo, Belgium.Belgium.
The conservatives in England felt The conservatives in England felt they had saved their country from a they had saved their country from a tyrant and from chaos; the early tyrant and from chaos; the early supporters of the revolution, like supporters of the revolution, like Wordsworth, felt betrayed. For them, Wordsworth, felt betrayed. For them, Waterloo was simply the defeat of Waterloo was simply the defeat of one tyrant by another.one tyrant by another.
The Tyranny of Laissez The Tyranny of Laissez FaireFaire
At the same time, the Industrial Revolution was bringing about At the same time, the Industrial Revolution was bringing about other changes in English life. Previously, goods had been made other changes in English life. Previously, goods had been made by hand, at home. Now, production switched to factories, by hand, at home. Now, production switched to factories, where machines worked many times faster than human beings where machines worked many times faster than human beings could work by hand. Since factories were in cities, the city could work by hand. Since factories were in cities, the city populations increased, causing desperate living conditions that populations increased, causing desperate living conditions that would appall even the most hardened social worker today.would appall even the most hardened social worker today.
In addition, the communal land once shared by small farmers In addition, the communal land once shared by small farmers was taken over by individual owners. Some of these rich was taken over by individual owners. Some of these rich owners transformed the fields into vast private parks, owners transformed the fields into vast private parks, generously stocked with deer for their own Christmas hunts. generously stocked with deer for their own Christmas hunts. Others divided the land neatly into privately held fields. Others divided the land neatly into privately held fields. Whatever happened to the land, it was no longer communally Whatever happened to the land, it was no longer communally owned. This resulted in large numbers of landless people. Just owned. This resulted in large numbers of landless people. Just as some unemployed and homeless do today, these landless as some unemployed and homeless do today, these landless people migrated to cities in search of work. Or they went on people migrated to cities in search of work. Or they went on the dole, or welfare.the dole, or welfare.
The economic philosophy that kept all this misery The economic philosophy that kept all this misery going was a policy called laissez faire, “let (people) going was a policy called laissez faire, “let (people) do (as they please).” According to this policy, do (as they please).” According to this policy, economic forces should be allowed to operate freely economic forces should be allowed to operate freely without governmentwithout governmentinterference. The result of laissez faire was that the interference. The result of laissez faire was that the rich grew richer, and the poor suffered even more. rich grew richer, and the poor suffered even more. TheThesystem, of course, had its most tragic effects on the system, of course, had its most tragic effects on the helpless, especially the children. Small children of helpless, especially the children. Small children of the poor were often used like beasts of burden. In the poor were often used like beasts of burden. In the coal pits, for example, very small children were the coal pits, for example, very small children were even harnessed to carts for dragging coal, just as if even harnessed to carts for dragging coal, just as if they had been small donkeys.they had been small donkeys.
Frustrated by England’s resistance to political and social Frustrated by England’s resistance to political and social change that would improve conditions, the Romanticchange that would improve conditions, the Romanticpoets turned from the formal, public verse of the poets turned from the formal, public verse of the eighteenth-century Augustans to a more private, eighteenth-century Augustans to a more private, spontaneous, lyric poetry. These lyrics expressed the spontaneous, lyric poetry. These lyrics expressed the Romantics’ belief that imagination, rather than mere Romantics’ belief that imagination, rather than mere reason, was the best response to the forces of change. reason, was the best response to the forces of change. Wordsworth spoke of imagination this way:Wordsworth spoke of imagination this way:
. . . spiritual love acts not nor can exist . . . spiritual love acts not nor can exist Without imagination, which, in truth, Without imagination, which, in truth, Is but another name for absolute power Is but another name for absolute power And clearest insight, amplitude of mind, And clearest insight, amplitude of mind, And Reason in her most exalted mood. And Reason in her most exalted mood.
— —from from The PreludeThe Prelude
The poets of the Romantic period The poets of the Romantic period responded to social and responded to social and economic changes caused by economic changes caused by rapid industrialization and to rapid industrialization and to governmental policies that governmental policies that ignored the problems of the ignored the problems of the poor.poor.
What Does “Romantic” What Does “Romantic” Mean?Mean?
The wordThe word romantic romantic comes from the term comes from the term romanceromance, one of the most popular genres of , one of the most popular genres of medieval literature. (Seemedieval literature. (See““from from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” Sir Gawain and the Green Knight,” Elements of Literature in Collection 2.) Later, Elements of Literature in Collection 2.) Later, Romantic writers self-consciously used the Romantic writers self-consciously used the elements of romance in an attempt to go back elements of romance in an attempt to go back beyond the refinements of neoclassicalbeyond the refinements of neoclassicalliterature to older types of writing that they saw literature to older types of writing that they saw as more “genuine.” The romance genre also as more “genuine.” The romance genre also allowed writers to explore new, more allowed writers to explore new, more psychological and mysterious aspects of human psychological and mysterious aspects of human experience.experience.
Today, the word Today, the word romantic romantic is often a is often a negative label used to describe negative label used to describe sentimental writing, particularly those sentimental writing, particularly those best-selling paperback “romances” best-selling paperback “romances” about love—a subject that many people about love—a subject that many people mistakenly think the Romantic poetsmistakenly think the Romantic poetspopularized. As a historical term, popularized. As a historical term, however, however, romanticromantic has at least three has at least three useful meanings, all of them relevant touseful meanings, all of them relevant tothe Romantic poets.the Romantic poets.
First, the term First, the term romanticromantic signifies a fascination with youth signifies a fascination with youth and innocence, with “growing up” by exploring and learning and innocence, with “growing up” by exploring and learning to trust our emotions and our sense of will and identity. to trust our emotions and our sense of will and identity. Second, the term Second, the term romanticromantic is applied to a stage in the is applied to a stage in the cyclical development of societies: This is the stage when cyclical development of societies: This is the stage when people need to question tradition and authority in order to people need to question tradition and authority in order to imagine better—that is, happier, fairer, and healthier—ways imagine better—that is, happier, fairer, and healthier—ways to live. to live. RomanticRomantic in this sense is associated with idealism. in this sense is associated with idealism. (The 1966–1975 period in the United States might be called (The 1966–1975 period in the United States might be called a romantic era.) And third, in the so-called Romantic period a romantic era.) And third, in the so-called Romantic period of the first half of the nineteenth century (up to the Civil of the first half of the nineteenth century (up to the Civil War in America), Western societies reached the conditions War in America), Western societies reached the conditions necessary for industrialization. This demanded that people necessary for industrialization. This demanded that people acquire a stronger and stronger awareness of change and acquire a stronger and stronger awareness of change and that they try to find ways to adapt to it. In this sense, we that they try to find ways to adapt to it. In this sense, we still live with the legacy of the Romantic period.still live with the legacy of the Romantic period.
The term romantic signifies a The term romantic signifies a fascination with youth and fascination with youth and innocence, a questioning of innocence, a questioning of authority and tradition for authority and tradition for idealistic purposes, and an idealistic purposes, and an adaptation to change.adaptation to change.
Romanticism is characterized Romanticism is characterized by these general features:by these general features:
• • Romanticism turned away from the eighteenth-Romanticism turned away from the eighteenth-century emphasis on reason and artifice. Instead, century emphasis on reason and artifice. Instead, the Romantics embraced imagination and the Romantics embraced imagination and naturalness.naturalness.
• • Romantic-era poets rejected the public, formal, Romantic-era poets rejected the public, formal, and witty works of the previous century. They and witty works of the previous century. They preferred poetry that spoke of personal preferred poetry that spoke of personal experiences and emotions, often in simple, experiences and emotions, often in simple, unadorned language. unadorned language.
• • The Romantics each used the lyric as the form The Romantics each used the lyric as the form best suited to expressions of feeling, self-best suited to expressions of feeling, self-revelation, and the imagination.revelation, and the imagination.
• • Wordsworth urged poets to adopt a democratic Wordsworth urged poets to adopt a democratic attitude toward their audiences; though endowed with attitude toward their audiences; though endowed with a special sensibility, the poet was always “a man a special sensibility, the poet was always “a man speaking to men.” speaking to men.”
• • Many Romantics turned to a past or an inner dream Many Romantics turned to a past or an inner dream world that they felt was more picturesque and world that they felt was more picturesque and magical than the ugly industrial age they lived in.magical than the ugly industrial age they lived in.
• • Most Romantics believed in individual liberty and Most Romantics believed in individual liberty and sympathized with those who rebelled against tyranny.sympathized with those who rebelled against tyranny.
• • The Romantics thought of nature as transformative; The Romantics thought of nature as transformative; they were fascinated by the ways nature and the they were fascinated by the ways nature and the human mind “mirrored” the other’s creative human mind “mirrored” the other’s creative properties.properties.
Poetry, Nature, and the Poetry, Nature, and the ImaginationImagination
Lyrical BalladsLyrical Ballads did not remain unnoticed or anonymous for long. In did not remain unnoticed or anonymous for long. In 1800, with Coleridge looking over his shoulder, Wordsworth 1800, with Coleridge looking over his shoulder, Wordsworth composed a Preface for the expanded collection. In it he declared that composed a Preface for the expanded collection. In it he declared that he was writing a new kind of poetry that he hoped would be “well he was writing a new kind of poetry that he hoped would be “well adapted to interest mankind permanently....” The subject matter adapted to interest mankind permanently....” The subject matter would be different from that of earlier giants of poetry—like Dryden would be different from that of earlier giants of poetry—like Dryden and Pope—who used poetry to satirize, or to persuade the reader with and Pope—who used poetry to satirize, or to persuade the reader with argumentative techniques. For Wordsworth, good poetry was “the argumentative techniques. For Wordsworth, good poetry was “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.” And such poetry should spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.” And such poetry should use simple, unadorned language to deal with commonplace subjectsuse simple, unadorned language to deal with commonplace subjectsfor a particular purpose. The form is often a lyric that lends itself to for a particular purpose. The form is often a lyric that lends itself to spontaneity, immediacy, a quick burst of emotion, and self-revelation. spontaneity, immediacy, a quick burst of emotion, and self-revelation. Furthermore, Wordsworth focused on rural life instead of city life, Furthermore, Wordsworth focused on rural life instead of city life, because in thebecause in thecountry “the passions of men are incorporated with the beautiful and country “the passions of men are incorporated with the beautiful and permanent forms of Nature.” Wordsworthpermanent forms of Nature.” Wordsworthfound hope in “certain inherent and indestructible qualities of the found hope in “certain inherent and indestructible qualities of the human mind, and likewise . . . certain powers in the great and human mind, and likewise . . . certain powers in the great and permanent objects that act upon it, which are equally inherent and permanent objects that act upon it, which are equally inherent and indestructible.” In other words, there is nature, and there are human indestructible.” In other words, there is nature, and there are human beings to experience nature.beings to experience nature.
The Romantics are often called nature poets. This The Romantics are often called nature poets. This description is misleading if it suggests that their description is misleading if it suggests that their poetry is full of charming scenes of forests, poetry is full of charming scenes of forests, mountains, and streams—like the scenic overlooks mountains, and streams—like the scenic overlooks on highways or the pictures on travel brochures. on highways or the pictures on travel brochures.
The Romantics prized experiences of the beauty The Romantics prized experiences of the beauty and majesty of nature. They did not think of and majesty of nature. They did not think of nature as hostile, but they had a strong sense of nature as hostile, but they had a strong sense of its mysterious forces, and they were intrigued by its mysterious forces, and they were intrigued by the ways that nature and the human mind act the ways that nature and the human mind act upon each other. In the Preface, Wordsworth says upon each other. In the Preface, Wordsworth says that the poet “considers man and nature as that the poet “considers man and nature as essentially adapted to each other, and the mind of essentially adapted to each other, and the mind of man as naturally a mirror of the fairest and most man as naturally a mirror of the fairest and most interesting properties of nature.”interesting properties of nature.”
Each of the Romantic poets had his own special view Each of the Romantic poets had his own special view of the creative power of the imagination and of the of the creative power of the imagination and of the ways inways inwhich the human mind is adapted to nature. You will which the human mind is adapted to nature. You will notice that the poems usually present imaginative notice that the poems usually present imaginative experiences as very powerful or moving. This experiences as very powerful or moving. This suggests that, in addition to being a special faculty of suggests that, in addition to being a special faculty of the mind, the imagination is also a kind of desire, a the mind, the imagination is also a kind of desire, a motive that drives the mind to learn and to know motive that drives the mind to learn and to know things it cannot learn by rational and logical thinking. things it cannot learn by rational and logical thinking. So, although the mind is naturally a “mirror” of So, although the mind is naturally a “mirror” of nature, as Wordsworth thought, the imagination nature, as Wordsworth thought, the imagination actually moves the mind in mysterious ways to actually moves the mind in mysterious ways to imitate (without being sacrilegious) the powers of its imitate (without being sacrilegious) the powers of its Maker. The purpose of this imitation is to create new Maker. The purpose of this imitation is to create new realities in the mind and (as a result) in poetry.realities in the mind and (as a result) in poetry.
In the Romantic period, poetry In the Romantic period, poetry was no longer used to make was no longer used to make complex arguments in a witty, complex arguments in a witty, polished style. Romantic poets polished style. Romantic poets used unadorned language to used unadorned language to explore the significance of explore the significance of commonplace subjects, the commonplace subjects, the beauty of nature, and the power beauty of nature, and the power of the human imagination.of the human imagination.
The Idea of the Poet The Idea of the Poet
In 1802, in order to clarify his remarks about poetry, In 1802, in order to clarify his remarks about poetry, Wordsworth added to his Preface a long section on theWordsworth added to his Preface a long section on thequestion, question, What is a poetWhat is a poet? His answer began: “He is a ? His answer began: “He is a man speaking to men.”man speaking to men.”
If this seems strange, consider what happens in a If this seems strange, consider what happens in a good many of the poems in the following collections. good many of the poems in the following collections. There isThere isa person in the poem—we will call him the “speaker” a person in the poem—we will call him the “speaker” to distinguish him from the poet—who is “speaking to”to distinguish him from the poet—who is “speaking to”someone or something else: a young Highland girl, a someone or something else: a young Highland girl, a baby asleep in a cottage, a skylark, even a Greek vase baby asleep in a cottage, a skylark, even a Greek vase or a season of the year. or a season of the year.
Each poem of this type not only asks us to imagine Each poem of this type not only asks us to imagine (pretend) that the “speaking” is taking place, but also (pretend) that the “speaking” is taking place, but also makes us consider what makes us consider what kind kind of speaking is taking place. Is of speaking is taking place. Is the speaker praising or confessing or complaining or the speaker praising or confessing or complaining or worshipping or expressing envy? That is, what is the worshipping or expressing envy? That is, what is the speaker doing by “speaking”?speaker doing by “speaking”?
The speaking in lyric poetry is not the Augustan reasoning The speaking in lyric poetry is not the Augustan reasoning in verse. It is a more emotional, passionate speaking from in verse. It is a more emotional, passionate speaking from the heart. It has been said that we do notthe heart. It has been said that we do not hear hear lyric poetry lyric poetry so much as so much as overhearoverhear it—as if (using our imagination again) it—as if (using our imagination again) we are eavesdropping on a private conversation or on we are eavesdropping on a private conversation or on someone talking to himself or herself out loud. The someone talking to himself or herself out loud. The Romantic lyric, then, speaks in what has been called the Romantic lyric, then, speaks in what has been called the true voice of feeling or the language of the heart. In writing true voice of feeling or the language of the heart. In writing this way, the Romantics created a kind of poetry that poets this way, the Romantics created a kind of poetry that poets today continue to use.today continue to use.
Wordsworth’s deceptively simple definition of the poet as Wordsworth’s deceptively simple definition of the poet as “a man speaking to men” was thus a revolutionary“a man speaking to men” was thus a revolutionaryconcept in a number of ways. If we think of the speaker (not concept in a number of ways. If we think of the speaker (not the poet) as an ordinary person, then it is a verythe poet) as an ordinary person, then it is a verydemocratic definition. Poetry is to be about human democratic definition. Poetry is to be about human experience, about the fundamental relationship between experience, about the fundamental relationship between the mind (including the heart and the imagination) and the mind (including the heart and the imagination) and other people and other things. The speaking should be other people and other things. The speaking should be convincing so that it can seem a genuine and sincere convincing so that it can seem a genuine and sincere account of that experience, no matter how special oraccount of that experience, no matter how special orextravagant the experience may appear to be.extravagant the experience may appear to be.
The speakers in Romantic poetry speak in the The speakers in Romantic poetry speak in the language of feelings, or of the heart. This language of feelings, or of the heart. This exploration of the emotional experiences of ordinary exploration of the emotional experiences of ordinary people was revolutionary.people was revolutionary.
The Romantic PoetThe Romantic Poet
In saying that the poet is “a man speaking to men,” In saying that the poet is “a man speaking to men,” Wordsworth did not mean that the poet is just a Wordsworth did not mean that the poet is just a man. In the Preface, it is clear that the poet is a man. In the Preface, it is clear that the poet is a special person, “endowed with more lively special person, “endowed with more lively sensibility, more enthusiasm and tenderness . . . sensibility, more enthusiasm and tenderness . . . a greater knowledge of human nature, and a a greater knowledge of human nature, and a more comprehensive soul, than are supposed to more comprehensive soul, than are supposed to be common among mankind.” Though the word be common among mankind.” Though the word supposedsupposed (meaning (meaning thoughtthought) may suggest that ) may suggest that Wordsworth thought his fellow citizens had too Wordsworth thought his fellow citizens had too low an estimate of much of humankind, all of the low an estimate of much of humankind, all of the Romantic poets described the poet in such lofty Romantic poets described the poet in such lofty terms.terms.
For William Blake, for example, the poet was the bard, For William Blake, for example, the poet was the bard, an inspired revealer and teacher. The poet, wrote an inspired revealer and teacher. The poet, wrote Coleridge, “brings the whole soul of man into activity” Coleridge, “brings the whole soul of man into activity” by employing “that synthetic and magical power . . . by employing “that synthetic and magical power . . . thetheimagination.” Shelley called poets “the imagination.” Shelley called poets “the unacknowledged legislators of the world.” Keats wrote unacknowledged legislators of the world.” Keats wrote that a poet is athat a poet is a“physician” to all humanity and “pours out a balm “physician” to all humanity and “pours out a balm upon the world.” Nothing, wrote Wordsworth in upon the world.” Nothing, wrote Wordsworth in The The RecluseRecluse,,
. . . can breed such fear and awe. . . can breed such fear and awe As fall upon us often when we look As fall upon us often when we look Into our Minds, into the Mind of Man— Into our Minds, into the Mind of Man— My haunt, and the main region of my song. My haunt, and the main region of my song.
The poet, in sum, is someone human The poet, in sum, is someone human beings cannot do without.beings cannot do without.
The Romantic poets found a way The Romantic poets found a way through the imagination to fulfill through the imagination to fulfill the poet’s traditional role as the poet’s traditional role as “prophet, priest, and king” in a “prophet, priest, and king” in a time of change.time of change.
