THE ROMANTIC PERIOD

1798 - 1832

Beginnings

In 1798, and

published , With a Few Other Poems. This began the Romantic Period.

Six Major Poets: William Blake, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Percy Bysshe Shelley, John Keats, and George Gordon (also called Lord Byron).

The French Revolution

In 1789, was executed by a democratic faction in the government. In 1792 hundreds of

were executed by the . In 1804 became emperor

of France and was known as a tyrant. England feared that it would fall to

, particularly with the recent lose of the American colonies.

Industrialization

Industrialization, which began in the late 1700’s, continued. Goods that were once were now

in cities increased – living

conditions were used as part of

. – “Let the people do as they

please”

Romantic Period in England

Writers sought to return back to the of Medieval

Literature. Three parts to the definition of “Romantic”: 1) Fascination with youth and innocence –

2) Stage in development of society –

3) People needed to be aware of

Characteristics of Romantic Poets

Embraced Preferred poetry that spoke of Used the Many poems were set in Believed in Thought of nature as

Notes on Poems

Lyric Poetry –

Most romantic poems contain a who is

Romantic poems used . They used the and sought to reveal the

truths of the heart and the imagination.

William Blake

* Blake was both a poet and an .

* Much of his poetry was

* One of his purposes was to

* Blake contrasted innocence and experience

* These were seen as two sides of

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

* Coleridge was a highly imaginative geniuswho once sought to help form a utopian society in

America.

* He was addicted to

* Kubla Khan is the name of a Mongol ruler of China.

* The poem “Kubla Khan” was written during

George Gordon, Lord Byron

Percy Bysshe Shelley

John Keats