Romantic literature after Renaissance in Italy brought a huge revolution in literary form .Lyrical ballad composed by Wordsworth and Coleridge was one of the great masterpiece work of Romantic expression. In previous time literature was written on the basis of religious concept which was classical ad orthodox.
Romantic literature, emerging in the late 18th century in England and flourishing into the mid-19th century, marked a profound shift in literary expression. This movement emphasized emotion, individualism, and a deep reverence for nature, challenging the preceding Enlightenment ideals of reason and order.
Key Characteristics of Romantic Literature
Celebration of Nature: Romantic writers viewed nature as a source of inspiration and spiritual renewal. They believed that the natural world offered profound truths and beauty, often contrasting it with the corrupting influence of industrialization. For instance, William Wordsworth's poetry frequently reflects this sentiment, portraying nature as a teacher and a source of infinite beauty.
Focus on Individual Experience and Emotion: Central to Romantic literature is the emphasis on personal feelings, intuition, and subjective experience. Writers explored the depths of human emotion, often delving into themes of love, despair, and the sublime. This focus allowed for a more intimate and introspective literary style.
Interest in the Common Man: Departing from classical themes that often centered on nobility or mythological figures, Romantic literature celebrated ordinary individuals and their experiences. This shift democratized literature, making it more accessible and reflective of everyday life. William Wordsworth, for example, was one of the first poets to embrace the concept of writing that could be read, enjoyed, and understood by anyone.
Idealization of Women: Romantic literature often portrayed women as embodiment of purity, beauty, and virtue. This idealization, while elevating women's status in literature, also confined them to specific roles and expectations, reflecting the gender norms of the period. In works such as Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Raven," women were always presented as idealized love interests, pure and beautiful, but usually without anything else to offer.
Incorporation of the Supernatural and the Sublime: Romantic authors frequently infused their works with elements of the supernatural, mystery, and awe-inspiring landscapes. This inclusion aimed to evoke a sense of wonder and explore the limits of human understanding. The use of personification and pathetic fallacy was common, attributing human emotions to nature and inanimate objects to reflect the characters' inner states. Mary Shelley used these techniques to great effect in "Frankenstein."
Poetry - Poetry was the dominant literary form of the Romantic period, characterized by its emphasis on emotion, nature, and individualism. Key forms and styles of Romantic poetry included:
Lyric Poetry: Focused on expressing personal emotions and thoughts, often in the first person. Lyric poems were typically short and concentrated on individual feelings and experiences.
Odes: Formal, often ceremonial poems that praised people, natural scenes, or abstract ideas.
Ballads: Narrative poems that told stories, often with a folkloric or medieval theme. The Romantic poets revived and adapted the traditional ballad form.
Sonnets: Although the sonnet form dates back to the Renaissance, Romantic poets used it to explore themes of nature, beauty, and personal reflection.
Novels - While poetry was predominant, the novel also gained prominence during the Romantic period. Romantic novels often focused on individual experiences, emotional intensity, and the exploration of nature and the sublime.
Gothic Novels: Combining elements of horror, romance, and the supernatural, Gothic novels were highly popular.
Historical Novels: These novels combined historical events with fictional characters, blending romance with historical accuracy.
Social and Political Novels: Some Romantic novels addressed contemporary social and political issues, reflecting the period's revolutionary spirit and critique of societal norms.
The Sublime can also be seen in visual art produced at this time, one of the most famous being ‘Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog’ by German artist Casper David Friedrich. The painting portrays a man standing on a rocky cliff, looking out into the vastness of a great mountainous landscape (see the header image to this blog post). A quintessential piece of Romantic artwork, the piece fully encapsulates the idea of the Sublime, with the vastness of the landscape depicted inspiring emotions of awe, paired with the elements of fear when considering the amount of fog present and what it may be hiding.
The source below is a review by Mark Stocker that was published in The Times Literary Supplement in 1991 of two books about Friedrich’s work – Caspar David Friedrich by Helmut Börsh-Supan and Caspar David Friedrich and the Subject of Landscape by Joseph Leo Koerner.
Essays and Criticism - The Romantic period saw significant developments in literary criticism and the essay form, with writers exploring philosophical, aesthetic, and social themes.
Literary Criticism: Writers produced influential works of literary criticism, examining the nature of poetry, the role of the imagination, and the principles of aesthetics.
Personal Essays: Essays offered reflections on personal experiences, human nature, and contemporary society.
Drama - Although not as dominant as poetry and the novel, Romantic drama made contributions to the period's literature.
Verse Drama: Some Romantic poets wrote plays in verse that explored themes of political freedom, individualism, and rebellion.
Gothic and Melodramatic Plays: These plays often featured sensational plots, supernatural elements, and intense emotional conflicts, reflecting the Gothic influence prevalent in Romantic literature.
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