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 18 th 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 17 th
century and went on till the second half of 18 th 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 18 th
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.