Romantic Period

The Romantic period arose after the beginning of the industrial revolution and was at it’s peak from 1800 until 1850 (Encyclopedia Britannica). The period showed great diversity and literature encompassed a vast spectrum of themes and ideas. The idea of freedom was evident in literature and the ideal swept across Europe. People began to believe the age of monarchy was coming to an end, with the completion of the recent revolutions in France and the United States (The British Library). In addition, there was great emphasis on feeling and nature as well as a focus on the individual rather than the group. The main vessel of literature in this period was poetry, although many similar themes were evident in novels and philosophical writings of the time. Writers began to look upon tales of the past, like King Arthur and Homer’s Epics, and included many allusions and references to these famous tales in their works (The British Library). The structure of literature also drastically changed, especially in poetry. The formal rhymed patterns and stanzas of poetic forms like the sonnet often gave way to free form blank verse, reflecting the individuality of the age (The Literature Network). Romantic poets and writers, although great thinkers, are criticized today for getting lost in their imaginations during their writings.

"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" by William Wordsworth

The poem, “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” was written in 1807 by William Wordsworth. Wordsworth is considered one of the forefathers of romantic period writers. His poem “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud’ is considered one of his most famous and displays many of the key themes and elements common in Romantic period texts. In this poem, Wordsworth describes wandering by a beautiful pond beside a field of daffodils. In order to capture their beauty he personifies the daffodils, “A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. (Wordsworth)” His use of nature, as demonstrated in this quote, is immense in this poem and is something future romantic period poets and writers looked at for inspiration and incorporated into their own pieces. After describing the daffodils in great detail, the poet explains how despite recognizing their beauty, he did not wholly understand the value the moment would hold for the future. Now whenever he is lonely and pensive he looks upon this scene of daffodils and cannot help but be happy. “For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils. (Wordsworth)” This focus on nature and then, more importantly, on how it makes him feel is prevalent in Wordsworth’s period. The poem’s theme of the happiness nature can grant an individual, although simple today, was unique and special at the time. People were only beginning to delve inside their thoughts and feelings and become willing to look deep into their imaginations. Wordsworth’s repetition of the pronoun I and his reference to himself, as “the poet” reflects how poets of the romantic period, stressed the importance of the individual and one’s own personal thoughts.

https://genius.com/artists/William-wordsworth