ROMANTIC AND VICTORIAN POETRY
MID-TERM ASSIGNMENT
May 10, 2024
SIDRA MALIK
BS68 8755
1. Characteristics of Romantic Poetry
Romantic poetry emerged in late 18th and 19th century. This moment emerged
against rationalism and neo-classical period and was influenced by intellectual,
cultural, and social changes of time. Some main characteristics of Romantic poetry
are:
Nature: The celebration of beauty and power of nature were the major source of
inspiration of romantic poets. For example: William Wordsworth’s poem “Lines
Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey” reflects his deep connection to
nature.
Emotions: The priority of romantic poets were intense emotions, particularly of love
and longing. The poets often used vivid imagery to evoke emotions of the readers.
For example: Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “Kubla Khan” is a perfect example of
intense emotions.
Imagination: Romantic poets often used supernatural and imagination as the
central theme. For example: Coleridge’s “The Rime of Ancient Mariner” is a
narrative poem that shows the power of imagination to transport readers to
imaginary world.
Individualism: Romantic poets often used to write about individuality, personal
freedom, and self-discovery. They believed that every individual has his own
identity and have unique perspective. For example: Wordsworth’s “I Wandered
Lonely as a Cloud” represents the joy of individuality.
Symbolism: Romantic poets often used nature to symbolize human condition. For
example: Wordsworth’s “The World is Too Much” represents the purity of soul and
spiritual richness of nature.
2. Comparison of Romantic and Victorian Poetry
The Romantic era originated in late 18th century to early 19th century. It was a
rebellion moment against rationalism and neo-classical period. The Victorian era
originated in mid-19th century to early 20th century. It addressed strict moral values,
social issues, and political changes.
Themes:
Romantic poetry was mainly about power of nature, imagination, emotions, and
individuality. Whereas Victorian poetry focused on urbanization, industrialization,
morality, social injustice, and the role of women in society.
Style:
Romantic poetry is expressed by vivid imagery, intensity of emotions and individual
perspective. It often consists of lyrical language, using nature as a metaphor for
human emotions. They often used free verse. Whereas Victorian poetry is more
structured and formal. They often express emotions in the form of ode, sonnet, or a
dramatic monologue. Their structure, meter and rhyme are always according to
certain manner.
Social Context:
Romantic era is rebellious movement and was often called movement of change. The
French and Industrial revolution influenced romantic poets to write about freedom,
individuality, and the power of nature. Victorian era was also referred as the era of
Queen Victoria of Britian, it was a period of strict social and moral values, and
rapid urbanization.
Examples:
Romantic Poetry:
William Blake’s “The Tyger”, which explores the terrifying aspects of nature
through a tiger.
Victorian Poetry:
Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “Ulysses” reflects desire for adventure in changing world,
drawing on the ancient Greek myth of Odysseus.
3. Nature as a Theme
Romantic era used nature as a central theme, it represents nature as a
transformative power, source of inspiration and renewal of spirituality. In Victorian
era nature has a changes role as it was linked with scientific advancement,
industrialization, and urbanization. Some poets often used nature as a symbol of
beauty but mainly it was used for uncertainty and loss.
Example of Romantic Era:
Poem “I Wandered Alone Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth represents
nature as a powerful, transformative force making it a source of inspiration and
spiritual renewal.
"Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
Here poet is referring to the beauty of nature and creates an image of sunflowers
dancing in joyful celebration.
Example of Victorian Era:
In Victorian era nature was often used as a sense of nostalgia in the face of
industrialization and urbanization. Alfred Lord Tennyson in “The Lady Shalott”
portrayed nature as isolating and enchanting.
"And down the river's dim expanse
Like some bold seer in a trance,
Seeing all his own mischance —
With glassy countenance
Did she look to Camelot."
In the above stanza Tennyson expressed Lady Shalott’s isolation from outside world
and symbolize disconnection from nature in a rapidly changing society.
4. Love and Relationships
In each era themes of love and relationships play important role but are approached
differently. Romantic era represented love as transcendent force. Love was often
portrayed as inspiration and spirituality, capable of giving meaning to life and
bringing sorrow or joy to individual. In poem “Bright Star” by John Keats
expresses the eternal nature of love, comparing it to a star that remain constant in
changing times.
"Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art—
...Pillow'd upon my fair love's ripening breast,
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell..."
Victorian era represented a more realistic approach to love and relationships. As
Victorian poets were influenced by social and moral values love was often reflected
with societal expectations, marriage, and complexities of human relationships. In
sonnet 43 Elizabeth Barret Browning expresses her deep feelings of love for her
husband.
Excerpt from Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Sonnet 43":
"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace."
5. Social Issues and Critique
Romantic Poetry: Nature was considered as a major source of inspiration, while
critiquing the effects of industrialization on society and the environment. William
Wordsworth’s “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above from Tintern Abbey”, reflects
on transformative power of nature and mourns the separation, emphasizing the
impact of urbanization on human world. “London” a critical work of William Blake
represents the social injustices and moral degradation in the urban landscape of
London during the 18th century. By using vivid imagery Blake exposes the suffering
of lower class, ill treatment of child labor, and the moral corruption of institutes like
church and monarchy.
Victorian Poetry: Victorian women poets like Elizabeth Barret Browning, addressed
gender norms and women rights. “The Cry of the Children” represents the
miserable treatment to child labor during Victorian era. Alfred Lord Tennyson’s
“The Lady of Shalott” represents class division and societal norms and expectations.
Tragic fate of Lady Shalott symbolizes the consequences of defying these
constraints.
