Background Information

• Neoclassical literature was written between 1660 and 1798. It was a time of both formality and artificiality.

• Definition :

• Neoclassical literature was written between 1660 and 1798. This time period is broken down into three parts: the Restoration period, the Augustan period, and the Age of Johnson.

• Writers of the Neoclassical period tried to imitate the style of the Romans and Greeks. Thus the combination of the terms 'neo,' which means 'new,' and 'classical,' as in the day of the Roman and Greek classics. This was also the era of The Enlightenment, which emphasized logic and reason.

• This age is followed by the Romantic era.

• The Neoclassical period ended in 1798 when Wordsworth published the Romantic 'Lyrical Ballads'.

Introduction To Romantic Age

• Romanticism in literature, began around 1750 and lasted until 1870.• It is different from the classical ways of Neo classical Age(1660-1798).• It focussed on imagination, idealization of nature.• Two men who influenced the era with their writings were William

Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.• Their edition of "Lyrical Ballads", (1798) : a collection of poems stressed

the importance of imagination.

Neo Classicism vs Romanticism

Neo Classicism Romanticism

• 1.Neo Classical writers gave importance to thought and reason.

• 1.Romantic writers gave importance to emotion and self experience.

• 2. Neo Classical poetry was manipulation of fictional real life happenings into poetic composition describing a fictional character.

• 2. Romantic poetry reflected personal feelings of the poet as it is spontaneous and not the man in action in composition.

• 3. Human beings,as an intergral part of the society were the subject of poetry. More importance was given to diction,focussing on vocabulary and grammar

• 3. Nature was the subject of poetry. More importance was given to common man and diction was given less importance.

English Poetry from Romantics to Modern

Three major schools of poetry :

1. Romantic Poetry (1798-1837 ) 2. Victorian Poetry (1837 -1901) 3. Modern Poetry ( 1901 onwards )

Romantic Poets

Who are Romantic Poets ?

Romantic poets are also called the early nineteenth- century poets. These poets revolted against the poetic tradition of the eighteenth

century. They turned to the nature. They disliked the set rules and orders of the

neo-classical poets. They gave too much focus on emotion, imagination, originality and

freedom in their poetry. The poets used simple and common language .

Origin of Romantic Movement

Romantic Movement began in 1798 with the publication of the "Lyrical Ballads’’. ( published by William Wordsworth & S.T. Coleridge) .

The term 'Romanticism' (the Romantic Movement) is a literary movement which took place in Britain and throughout Europe roughly between 1770 and 1848.

Politically, it was inspired by the revolutions in America and France.

English romanticism is both a revolt and a revival. It is a revolt against 18th century traditions and conventions; it is a revival of medievalism and old English meters and masters of poetry.

Lyrical Ballads

What are Lyrical Ballads ? Lyrical Ballad marks the beginning of the romantic period in English

literature . It was combined work produced together by Wordsworth and Coleridge

in 1798. Poetry was defined in a new light in this work. Much emphasis was given on simple language, imagination, originality

and poetic freedom. Nature was thought to be a proper subject matter for poetry. Its publication gave a shock to the traditional poets and critics of the

eighteenth century .

Romantic Poets :

1. William Blake (1757-1827) 2. William Wordsworth (1770- 1850) 3. S.T.Coleridge (1772 -1834 ) 4. Lord Byron (1788 -1824 ) 5. P. B. Shelley ( 1792 -1822) 6. John Keats ( 1795 -1821)

Chief characteristics of Romantic Poetry :

1.Subjectivity All romantic literature is subjective. It is an expression of the inner urges of the soul of the artist. The poet gives free expression to his feelings, emotions, experiences,

thoughts and ideas and does not care for rules and regulations. The emphasis is laid on inspiration and intuition .

2. Love of Nature Romantic poetry carries us away from the suffocating atmosphere of

cities into the fresh company of the out of door world. All poets were lovers of nature and looked at the beautiful aspects of

nature. To them, nature was a friend, a lover, a mother, sister and a teacher. To Wordsworth, nature was both mother and sister. He spiritualizes

nature, Shelley intellectualizes nature and Keats is content to observe nature through his senses.

3. Spontaneity Romantic poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings. Poetry to romantic poets is not a craft but inspiration. The poet does not care for the perfection of form or clarity of expression

4. Imagination

The phenomenon of imagination is the essence or core of romantic poetry.

In the words of William Wordsworth, 'poetry is the first and last of all knowledge‘.

According to romantic poets, it is possible to attain a transcendental experience by means of imagination.

It takes us near to the spiritual truth.

5. Emotions The one thing which rules the world of romanticism is emotion. Romantic poetry is one of the best means to express one's emotions

through words. The overflow of emotions depicted through romantic poetry is beyond

the boundaries of logical reasoning. Spontaneity in romantic poetry arises from an emotional outflow, and

sometimes pain is the inspiration.

6. Melancholy Most of the romantic poems in English are full of melancholy and

pessimism. A romantic poet is dissatisfied individual. He may be dissatisfied with the circumstances of his own, with his age,

with literary conventions and traditions of the day, or with the general fate of humanity.

7. Symbolism The use of symbolism in literature allows to infer / derive different

meanings from a single expression. Symbolism rouses the curiosity of readers and also adds a kind of enigma

to the expressions or thoughts of the poet. Repetitive presentation of an object or character is one of the ways in

which symbolism is depicted in poetry.

8.Supernaturalism & Mysticism Romanticism was a revival of medievalism. The romantic poet is extraordinarily alive to the wonder, mystery and

beauty of the universe. The unseen world is more real for him than the world of the senses. Romantic poetry is mystical and is removed from the everyday

experiences of life.  

9. Pastoral Life The pastoral life, culture and traditions are mentioned on a frequent basis

in romantic poetry. Romantic poetry employs this feature in order to present before readers

the complexities of life in a simple manner. Contrasting features of country and urban life can also be depicted by the

portrayal of pastoral life.

10 . Imagination & Emotion The romantic poets laid emphasis on imagination and emotion. The 18th century neo-classical poets had emphasized on reason and

intellect.