The PoetsThe Poets

Robert Burns (1759-1796)Robert Burns (1759-1796)

*Scottish farmer - life on farm reflected in his *Scottish farmer - life on farm reflected in his poetrypoetry

*dialect poems (Scottish)*dialect poems (Scottish)

*wrote over 30 Scottish Folk songs (established *wrote over 30 Scottish Folk songs (established his reputation)his reputation)

*died at 37 of Rheumatic heart disease*died at 37 of Rheumatic heart disease

*heavy drinker*heavy drinker

*wrote "Auld Lang Syne" at New Year's Eve*wrote "Auld Lang Syne" at New Year's Eve

*The presence of human live in his work came *The presence of human live in his work came from his immersion in the lives of so many from his immersion in the lives of so many ordinary human beings.ordinary human beings.

To a MouseTo a Mouse

**dialect - language, and particularly the dialect - language, and particularly the speech habits, or a specific social class, speech habits, or a specific social class, region, or groupregion, or group

*conversation between the speaker (farmer) *conversation between the speaker (farmer) and a mouseand a mouse

*relates destruction of mouse's home to the *relates destruction of mouse's home to the failing plans of humansfailing plans of humans

*Romantics viewed nature as a source of *Romantics viewed nature as a source of truth, and therefore believed they should truth, and therefore believed they should try to harmonize with it; hence the try to harmonize with it; hence the apology for the destruction of nature.apology for the destruction of nature.

William Blake (1757-1827)William Blake (1757-1827)

**uneventful lifeuneventful life

*happily married to same woman for entire life*happily married to same woman for entire life

*born and raised outside of London*born and raised outside of London

*began artistic training at age 10*began artistic training at age 10

*worked as an engraver*worked as an engraver

*during his lifetime, his work got very little *during his lifetime, his work got very little attention; great deal of his poetry never attention; great deal of his poetry never publishedpublished

*when his work was read, people thought he was *when his work was read, people thought he was weird, confused, or madweird, confused, or mad

*near end of life young artists began to *near end of life young artists began to appreciate his work and became his appreciate his work and became his disciplesdisciples

*purpose- to change the way people "see" *purpose- to change the way people "see" and open up new worldsand open up new worlds

*in his 50's and 60's he lived in poverty*in his 50's and 60's he lived in poverty*visual artist - he usually had pictures with *visual artist - he usually had pictures with

each of his workseach of his works*poetic vision - comprehensive view of life, *poetic vision - comprehensive view of life,

the world, and our ordinary perceptionsthe world, and our ordinary perceptions

The Lamb The Lamb and and The TygerThe Tyger

The LambThe Lamb

*speaker gentle and teacher*speaker gentle and teacher

*fulfilling the poet's task of singing *fulfilling the poet's task of singing the the happy songs of innocencehappy songs of innocence

The TygerThe Tyger

*he is poet filled with fear and wonder *he is poet filled with fear and wonder when he thinks of that other strenuous when he thinks of that other strenuous artist who created the "fearful artist who created the "fearful symmetry" of the animalsymmetry" of the animal

The Chimney SweeperThe Chimney Sweeper

*conventional religious beliefs about *conventional religious beliefs about the miseries of child laborthe miseries of child labor

*Tom and speaker are young children *Tom and speaker are young children forced to workforced to work

*very religious content - God will *very religious content - God will provideprovide

William Wordsworth (1770-William Wordsworth (1770-1850)1850)*good friends with Samuel Taylor Coleridge (during his *good friends with Samuel Taylor Coleridge (during his

twenties and then again later in his life)twenties and then again later in his life)*wrote his best works in his late twenties to mid-thirties*wrote his best works in his late twenties to mid-thirties*after 1805, his "poetic powers" began to decline*after 1805, his "poetic powers" began to decline*his brother John died at sea in 1805 and there was a *his brother John died at sea in 1805 and there was a

note of resignation in his worknote of resignation in his work*felt a "strange duality" like he was composed of "two *felt a "strange duality" like he was composed of "two

consciousnesses" - one remembers and the other is consciousnesses" - one remembers and the other is rememberedremembered-his work and life have a similar doubleness-his work and life have a similar doubleness

*mother died in 1778 and he and his brother were sent *mother died in 1778 and he and his brother were sent to school in Hawksheadto school in Hawkshead

*sister sent to live with relatives*sister sent to live with relatives*father died in 1783 and all the boys' "financial *father died in 1783 and all the boys' "financial

resources" were under the care of two unclesresources" were under the care of two uncles*he and sister, Dorothy, were reunited in 1787 before he *he and sister, Dorothy, were reunited in 1787 before he

left to study at Cambridgeleft to study at Cambridge

*1791, got a college degree with little to no chance of a *1791, got a college degree with little to no chance of a job (except in a church)job (except in a church)

*time of birth and rebirth - also known as French *time of birth and rebirth - also known as French RevolutionRevolution

*was beginning of 10 painful years of growth which *was beginning of 10 painful years of growth which ended with him becoming a poetended with him becoming a poet

*in his 40's he centered his life on his family, settled in *in his 40's he centered his life on his family, settled in Lake District in 1800Lake District in 1800

*became a literary monument after his poetry lost *became a literary monument after his poetry lost power and politics became more conservativepower and politics became more conservative

*largest work published in his lifetime was *largest work published in his lifetime was The ExcursionThe Excursion*1843 became Poet Laureate*1843 became Poet Laureate*(duality) early years (up to 30's) were erratic and *(duality) early years (up to 30's) were erratic and

difficult, later years uneventfuldifficult, later years uneventful*disillusioned about his hopes for change because he *disillusioned about his hopes for change because he

was sickened by way between England and France was sickened by way between England and France (drove him back to poetry)(drove him back to poetry)

*1795, fortunes began to change, inherited some *1795, fortunes began to change, inherited some money from a friend and Coleridge comes into his money from a friend and Coleridge comes into his lifelife

*wrote together; influences and inspired one *wrote together; influences and inspired one another, but eventually weren't friends anymore another, but eventually weren't friends anymore because of their differencesbecause of their differences

*Wordsworth found delight in the simply nuances of *Wordsworth found delight in the simply nuances of perception and experiences, and in the way the perception and experiences, and in the way the mind and nature are adapted to one anothermind and nature are adapted to one another

*wrote in vivid, direct, and seemingly immediate *wrote in vivid, direct, and seemingly immediate images and descriptions (yet wrote mostly in past images and descriptions (yet wrote mostly in past tense)tense)

*Coleridge called him "poet of the age"*Coleridge called him "poet of the age"

Lines Composed A Few Miles Lines Composed A Few Miles Above Tintern AbbeyAbove Tintern Abbey

*lyric - single speaker expresses personal emotions *lyric - single speaker expresses personal emotions and observationsand observations

*has tone of a passionate conversation, some lines *has tone of a passionate conversation, some lines meant to be exclamations while others whisperedmeant to be exclamations while others whispered

*illustrates author's belief in nature as a healer and *illustrates author's belief in nature as a healer and teacherteacher

*speaks to his sister, Dorothy*speaks to his sister, Dorothy*contrasts children's lack of reason with adults' *contrasts children's lack of reason with adults'

possession of itpossession of it*poet's willingness to focus on self was a dramatic *poet's willingness to focus on self was a dramatic

departure from the social poetry of beforedeparture from the social poetry of before*focuses on relationship between nature and the soul*focuses on relationship between nature and the soul*personifies Nature as having a personal bond with *personifies Nature as having a personal bond with

humanshumans

Samuel Taylor Coleridge Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834)(1772-1834)*Wordsworth called him, "The most wonderful man *Wordsworth called him, "The most wonderful man

that I have known".that I have known".*said to have a "seminal mind" and be a "genius"*said to have a "seminal mind" and be a "genius"*"When scholars finish collecting Coleridge's works, *"When scholars finish collecting Coleridge's works,

including letters, journals, and comments made in including letters, journals, and comments made in the margins or books, there will be over thirty the margins or books, there will be over thirty volumes, more than most encyclopedias."volumes, more than most encyclopedias."

*youngest child*youngest child*after father died, went to school in London and *after father died, went to school in London and

later attended Cambridge Universitylater attended Cambridge University*wrote an ode in Greek on the abolition of slavery*wrote an ode in Greek on the abolition of slavery*left the university in 1794 without a degree*left the university in 1794 without a degree

*by 1797 had persuaded Wordsworth to live close by. *by 1797 had persuaded Wordsworth to live close by. They helped on another outThey helped on another out

*called a philosopher*called a philosopher*lectured on Shakespeare*lectured on Shakespeare*marriage collapsed*marriage collapsed*became addicted to opium, but could discipline his *became addicted to opium, but could discipline his

mind to concentratemind to concentrate*became known as "Sage of Highgate"*became known as "Sage of Highgate"*when Coleridge and Keats met, Coleridge had already *when Coleridge and Keats met, Coleridge had already

accomplished more than enough to fill two careers accomplished more than enough to fill two careers (poet, critic, journalist, essayist, and philosopher)(poet, critic, journalist, essayist, and philosopher)

*spent the next fifteen years pushing his philosophic *spent the next fifteen years pushing his philosophic powers to higher insightspowers to higher insights

*became an influential theologian and political theorist*became an influential theologian and political theorist*compare Coleridge to Samuel Johnson - both had *compare Coleridge to Samuel Johnson - both had

wide-ranging interests and an ability to see the wide-ranging interests and an ability to see the heart and connections of every problemheart and connections of every problem-both deeply and naturally religious and self-critical-both deeply and naturally religious and self-critical

*said to have great talents he couldn't live up to*said to have great talents he couldn't live up to

Rime of the Ancient MarinerRime of the Ancient Mariner

*wrote as collaboration with Wordsworth*wrote as collaboration with Wordsworth*made a poetic division of labor based on their *made a poetic division of labor based on their

interests in the two powers of poetry: (1) to interests in the two powers of poetry: (1) to represent ordinary events and objects in an represent ordinary events and objects in an unfamiliar way so as to make them fresh and unfamiliar way so as to make them fresh and interesting (2) to make believable the unfamiliar interesting (2) to make believable the unfamiliar and strangeand strange

*employs alliteration, consonance, assonance, and *employs alliteration, consonance, assonance, and internal rhymeinternal rhyme

*based on a dream of a friend*based on a dream of a friend*illustrates how guilt can isolate one from society*illustrates how guilt can isolate one from society*captures interdependence of humans and nature*captures interdependence of humans and nature

George Gordon, Lord ByronGeorge Gordon, Lord Byron(1788-1824)(1788-1824)

*inherited flamboyance and unconventional *inherited flamboyance and unconventional behavior form his father and grandfatherbehavior form his father and grandfather

*"original" name was George Gordon Byron - *"original" name was George Gordon Byron - received current name when his cousin was killed received current name when his cousin was killed in battle and he learned that he was first in line to in battle and he learned that he was first in line to be the sixth Baron Byron (assumed title at age be the sixth Baron Byron (assumed title at age 10).10).

*1812, first publication (instant celebrity)*1812, first publication (instant celebrity)*grandfather was an admiral ("Foulweather Jack") *grandfather was an admiral ("Foulweather Jack")

and his father was a sea captain, a psychopath, and his father was a sea captain, a psychopath, and a spender of women's fortunesand a spender of women's fortunes

*Byron was handsome although he was born with a *Byron was handsome although he was born with a deformity (clubfoot)deformity (clubfoot)

*lifestyle aggravated a glandular problem and a *lifestyle aggravated a glandular problem and a tendency toward grotesque obesity, so he would go tendency toward grotesque obesity, so he would go on binge dietson binge diets

*was said to be a genius (was schooled at Cambridge *was said to be a genius (was schooled at Cambridge University)University)

*had notorious, unconventional behavior*had notorious, unconventional behavior*was unhappily married, and had many affairs with *was unhappily married, and had many affairs with

other women - most of who were marriedother women - most of who were married*Byron's marriage to Annabella Milbanke, a well-*Byron's marriage to Annabella Milbanke, a well-

educated young heiress, was stormy from the start. educated young heiress, was stormy from the start. After their daughter Augusta was born, Lady Byron After their daughter Augusta was born, Lady Byron believed her husband's violent and eccentric believed her husband's violent and eccentric behavior indicated madness. When Byron ejected behavior indicated madness. When Byron ejected his wife from their home, Lady Byron demanded a his wife from their home, Lady Byron demanded a separation, a scandalous decision at the time. Later separation, a scandalous decision at the time. Later documents seem to show that his wife accused documents seem to show that his wife accused Byron of incest with his half-sister.Byron of incest with his half-sister.

*famous for lyrics, satires, dramas, and narratives*famous for lyrics, satires, dramas, and narratives*came into contact with Shelley and Shelley's *came into contact with Shelley and Shelley's

wife's stepsister, who threw herself at Byronwife's stepsister, who threw herself at Byron*because of association with Shelley, Byron's *because of association with Shelley, Byron's

writing career began in ernestwriting career began in ernest*was not a "Romantic" in style; more Neoclassical*was not a "Romantic" in style; more Neoclassical*became regarded as a "incarnation" of *became regarded as a "incarnation" of

"Romantic""Romantic"*Byronic heroes - brooding characters with ironic *Byronic heroes - brooding characters with ironic

attitudes, rebelliousattitudes, rebellious*was a very public person, could attract an *was a very public person, could attract an

audienceaudience*on a personal level, drew people to him naturally *on a personal level, drew people to him naturally

and excelled in conversationand excelled in conversation*died at the age of 36*died at the age of 36

She Walks in BeautyShe Walks in Beauty

*employs simile, metaphor, and *employs simile, metaphor, and personificationpersonification

*sublime - a sense of the power in *sublime - a sense of the power in nature that escapes human nature that escapes human understandingunderstanding

*sonnet*sonnet

*links beauty to universal images*links beauty to universal images

Don JuanDon Juan

*considered Byron's finest work even *considered Byron's finest work even though he didn't finish itthough he didn't finish it

*mock epic poem*mock epic poem

*satirizes political and social problems*satirizes political and social problems

*dispenses advice based on speaker's *dispenses advice based on speaker's 30 years experience30 years experience

Speech to Parliament: In Speech to Parliament: In Defense of the Lower ClassesDefense of the Lower Classes

*political commentary - offers opinions on *political commentary - offers opinions on political issues, building arguments on political issues, building arguments on evidence and assumptionsevidence and assumptions

*rhetorical questions - asked for dramatic *rhetorical questions - asked for dramatic effect, not expecting an answereffect, not expecting an answer

*balanced clauses - two or more clauses in *balanced clauses - two or more clauses in the same sentence with similar structurethe same sentence with similar structure

*argument*argument*assumption*assumption*addresses "deathbill" by Parliament to *addresses "deathbill" by Parliament to

punish workers for wrecking factory punish workers for wrecking factory equipmentequipment

Percy Bysshe ShelleyPercy Bysshe Shelley(1792-1822)(1792-1822)

*was expelled from Oxford for not responding to an *was expelled from Oxford for not responding to an atheist pamphletatheist pamphlet

*was better known for his shocking domestic life *was better known for his shocking domestic life and opinions than for his writingand opinions than for his writing

*was a political activist - said, "Poets are the *was a political activist - said, "Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world"unacknowledged legislators of the world"

*was convinced that human thought and expression *was convinced that human thought and expression had the power to change human life for the better had the power to change human life for the better - optimism was never subverted- optimism was never subverted

*19, was estranged from his family and he dated *19, was estranged from his family and he dated girls who were considered "unconventional"girls who were considered "unconventional"

*to rescue 16 year-old Harriet Westbrook from an *to rescue 16 year-old Harriet Westbrook from an abusive father, Shelley eloped with herabusive father, Shelley eloped with her

*ran away three years later with Mary Godwin *ran away three years later with Mary Godwin another 16 year-old - she became Mary another 16 year-old - she became Mary Wollenstonecraft Shelley (author of Wollenstonecraft Shelley (author of FrankensteinFrankenstein))

*after Harriet committed suicide at 21, he was free to *after Harriet committed suicide at 21, he was free to marry Marymarry Mary

*denied custody of he and Harriet's children*denied custody of he and Harriet's children*Shelley's were shaken by death of four children, *Shelley's were shaken by death of four children,

including Percy's first two with Maryincluding Percy's first two with Mary*Percy drowned on his sailboat when he was not *Percy drowned on his sailboat when he was not

even thirty. Twelve days later, Shelley's body even thirty. Twelve days later, Shelley's body washed ashore with a copy of Sophocles in one washed ashore with a copy of Sophocles in one pocket and Keats in the otherpocket and Keats in the other

*literary productivity was unceasing - unlike other *literary productivity was unceasing - unlike other Romantic poetsRomantic poets

*wrote all kinds of literature*wrote all kinds of literature*went into self-exile because the government feared *went into self-exile because the government feared

radical opinions of any sort, and it was his mature radical opinions of any sort, and it was his mature poetic periodpoetic period

OzymandiasOzymandias and and Ode to the West WindOde to the West Wind

OzymandiasOzymandias

*employs imagery*employs imagery

*ironic take on human pride and ambition*ironic take on human pride and ambition

*based on actual Egyptian pharaoh, *based on actual Egyptian pharaoh, Ramses IIRamses II

Ode to the West WindOde to the West Wind

*speaker awed by nature, specifically the *speaker awed by nature, specifically the West WindWest Wind

*affirms that decay leads to renewal*affirms that decay leads to renewal

To a Skylark To a Skylark andandA Song: Men of EnglandA Song: Men of England

To a SkylarkTo a Skylark*contrasts nature's unending beauty to *contrasts nature's unending beauty to human limitationshuman limitations*contradictions between joy and suffering*contradictions between joy and suffering*nature can be so pure it is beyond human *nature can be so pure it is beyond human understandingunderstanding

A Song: Men of EnglandA Song: Men of England*intended to incite revolution*intended to incite revolution*uses rhetorical questions to instruct *uses rhetorical questions to instruct workers to stop giving away their power to workers to stop giving away their power to the already powerful upper classesthe already powerful upper classes

John Keats (1795-1821)John Keats (1795-1821)*already incredibly influential before his death at 25*already incredibly influential before his death at 25*born to working-class family, not an aristocrat like *born to working-class family, not an aristocrat like

contemporariescontemporaries*developed a reputation for fighting for worthy causes*developed a reputation for fighting for worthy causes*1815, began study of medicine in London *1815, began study of medicine in London *1818, published first major work - received very negative *1818, published first major work - received very negative

reviewsreviews*1818, lost brother to tuberculosis and met Fanny Brawne *1818, lost brother to tuberculosis and met Fanny Brawne

(became engaged)(became engaged)*1819, wrote poems for which he is most famous (following *1819, wrote poems for which he is most famous (following

a year of grief, new love, and his own health issues)a year of grief, new love, and his own health issues)*moved to Italy because the warmer climate was believed *moved to Italy because the warmer climate was believed

to help with Tuberculosis, his diagnosisto help with Tuberculosis, his diagnosis*wrote his own epitaph, "Here lies one whose name was *wrote his own epitaph, "Here lies one whose name was

writ in water." (stresses brevity of life)writ in water." (stresses brevity of life)*did not believe in using poetry for politics - he worked as *did not believe in using poetry for politics - he worked as

an artistan artist

Ode on A Grecian UrnOde on A Grecian Urn

*ode - lyric poem characterized by *ode - lyric poem characterized by heightened emotion and paying heightened emotion and paying respect to a person or thingrespect to a person or thing

*Keats created his own form of ode *Keats created his own form of ode using 10-line stanzasusing 10-line stanzas

*realizes the eternal nature of truth *realizes the eternal nature of truth through depictions on an urnthrough depictions on an urn

*contains his best-remembered line, *contains his best-remembered line, "Beauty is truth, truth beauty""Beauty is truth, truth beauty"

Jane Austen (1775-1817)Jane Austen (1775-1817)

*lived a quiet life devoted to family*lived a quiet life devoted to family

*wrote six novels about love, marriage, *wrote six novels about love, marriage, and beauty - though she never marriedand beauty - though she never married

*one of eight children of a minister*one of eight children of a minister

*employs satirical wit against the common *employs satirical wit against the common social ills of the day (gossip, scheming, social ills of the day (gossip, scheming, etc.)etc.)

*published anonymously, but later *published anonymously, but later honored once discoveredhonored once discovered

On Making an Agreeable On Making an Agreeable MarriageMarriage

*social commentary - writing or speech that *social commentary - writing or speech that offers insight into societyoffers insight into society

*persuasive techniques - logical appeal, *persuasive techniques - logical appeal, moral/ethical appeal, emotion appealmoral/ethical appeal, emotion appeal

*response to her niece's letter about concerns *response to her niece's letter about concerns with her suitorwith her suitor

*concerned with monetary considerations in *concerned with monetary considerations in marriagemarriage

*concerned with marriage based on social *concerned with marriage based on social conventionsconventions

Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797)1797)

*recognized as one of first major feminists*recognized as one of first major feminists

*movement for women's rights influenced by *movement for women's rights influenced by her writings on women's education and her writings on women's education and freedomsfreedoms

*grew up in poverty but defied tradition and *grew up in poverty but defied tradition and sought educationsought education

*became a governess and a lady's companion*became a governess and a lady's companion

*established a girl's school in London*established a girl's school in London

*married a radical philosopher in 1797, but died *married a radical philosopher in 1797, but died in childbirth shortly thereafterin childbirth shortly thereafter

A Vindication of the Rights of A Vindication of the Rights of WomenWomen

*reflects on the poor educational *reflects on the poor educational opportunities for womenopportunities for women

*reflects on the society's drive to make *reflects on the society's drive to make women meek and models of feminine women meek and models of feminine beautybeauty

*begins almost sadly, but becomes *begins almost sadly, but becomes more adamant as she writesmore adamant as she writes

Mary Wollstonecraft ShelleyMary Wollstonecraft Shelley(1797-1851)(1797-1851)

*created Gothic literature from a contest of telling ghost *created Gothic literature from a contest of telling ghost stories with her husband and friendsstories with her husband and friends

*1818, published *1818, published FrankensteinFrankenstein (was praised by authors (was praised by authors such as Sir Walter Scott)such as Sir Walter Scott)

*raised by her father after her mother died giving birth to *raised by her father after her mother died giving birth to herher

*surrounded by famous writers of the day*surrounded by famous writers of the day*strongly resented stepmother and therefore went to live *strongly resented stepmother and therefore went to live

with a family friendwith a family friend*left penniless and a single mother at 24 when her *left penniless and a single mother at 24 when her

husband drownedhusband drowned*returned to England and continued to write to support *returned to England and continued to write to support

her she and her sonher she and her son*became an invalid at 48*became an invalid at 48*died of a brain tumor at 54*died of a brain tumor at 54