2. HIGHLIGHTS OF ROMANTICISM
• The individual emotions, feelings, and expressions of
artists.
• It rejected rigid forms and structures. Instead, it placed
great stress on the individual, unique experience of an
artist/writer.
• Romanticism gave great value to nature, and artists
experience within nature. This was in stark contrast to the
rapid industrialisation of society in the Nineteenth Century.
• Romanticism was considered idealistic – a belief in greater
ideals than materialism and rationalism and the potential
beauty of nature and mystical experience.
• Romanticism was influenced by the ideals of the French
and American revolution, which sought to free man from a
rigid autocratic society. Over time, it also became more
associated with burgeoning nationalistic movements, e.g.
movement for Italian independence.
4. WILLIAM BLAKE
William Blake Poet, artist, and mystic.
Blake wrote Songs of Innocence, Songs
of Experience, The Four Zoas, and
Jerusalem. Blake is not considered a
classical, romantic poet, but his new
style of poetry and mystical
experience of nature had a significant
influence on the growth of
romanticism.
6. ROBERT BURNS
Robert Burns (1759 – 1796)
Scottish romantic poet who was
influential in the development of
romantic poetry. He wrote in both
English and Scottish and also
contributed to radical politics.
8. SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE
Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772 –
1834) English romantic poet and a
member of the “Lakes Poets.”
Coleridge’s famous poems included
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,
Christabel and Kubla Khan. Coleridge
helped to bring to England the
concept of German idealism. (an
important strand of Romanticism)
10. LORD BYRON
Lord Byron (1788 – 1824) English
romantic poet, who led a
flamboyant, extravagant lifestyle –
travelling across Europe. His works
included Don Juan, Childe Harold’s
Pilgrimage and She Walks in Beauty.
12. PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792 –1822)
English romantic poet, and friend
to John Keats. Famous works
include Queen Mab, Prometheus
Unbound and Adonais – his tribute
to Keats. Shelley was also an atheist
and radical political writer.
14. JOHN KEATS
John Keats (1795 – 1821) English
Romantic poet. One of his best-
known works is Endymion: A Poetic
Romance (1817). Famous poems
include; A Thing of Beauty
(Endymion), Bright Star, When I
Have Fears, Ode To A Nightingale.