Download Romanticism in British Literature 1798

Romanticism
in British Literature
1798 - 1832
Rise of Romanticism
Coming out of the 1700s’ focus on
logic and reasoning, thought and
classical styles, there was a shift
to…
more appreciation for natural
beauty (and not needing to analyze
everything).
Causes for the change to
Romanticism
French Revolution and more focus on equality
for ALL people (not just the powerful and
wealthy having all the influence)
British government structure began to change,
too
Causes for the change to
Romanticism
Inequality between workers and wealthy began to
cause social problems
Saw previous period’s focus on logic and thought as
pointless if it didn’t help everyday people
Romantic writing
Interest in common people – their lives,
dreams, and hardships
Attachment to nature and simpler life -- a
reaction to the Industrial Revolution’s dirty,
corrupt results
Emphasis on freedom and basic forms in
nature (of people, too)
Romantic writing
Romanticism came through in other art forms,
too (not just literature)
Poetry was particularly popular during
romanticism
NOT what we usually associate with “romance”
Romantic Authors
Rousseau
Wordsworth
Lord Byron
Percy Bysshe Shelley
John Keats
Jane Austen
Goethe
Coleridge
Mary Shelley
Romantic
writing
Influenced by mythology
Has adventure
Emphasis on emotion
Ideals of “self-fulfillment and growth through
experience”
What do you know about Gothic?
Prep for Frankenstein