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Romantic age

Towards the end of the 18th century, the neo-classical mode of writing was worn out and a new trend in literature became imminent. The new trend, the romantic age, became visible in the mid-eighties. When the French Revolution took place in 1789, the ground of the new kind of creative writing had already been prepared in the United Kingdom.

William Blake published two volumes of this new kind of poetry. In 1798, William Wordsworth and S T Coleridge published a collection of poems entitled Lyrical Ballads, and with it began the new age know as the Romantic age. The other famous poets of this age were PB Shelly, John Keats, and Lord Byron. Jane Austen and Sir Walter Scott were the novelists of the period.

Writers of this age preferred common people and common language to sophisticated urban people and their grand language. A strong desire for improving the condition of man was a driving force of the literature of this age. The features of the age were high imagination, liberalism, love of nature, Hellenism, and the use of supernatural powers.

The Romantic Age started in the late 18th century and lasted till the mid-19th century. It focused on emotions, nature, imagination, and individual freedom. Writers rejected reason and rules. They loved beauty, nature, and strong feelings.

Features of the Romantic Age

  1. Love for Nature – Writers saw nature as beautiful and full of life. They believed nature could teach and heal.
  2. Emotions and Feelings – Personal feelings were more important than logic and reason.
  3. Imagination – Writers used imagination to create deep and powerful works.
  4. Individualism – The focus was on personal freedom and the unique experience of each person.
  5. Interest in the Past – Many works included medieval and folk themes.
  6. Supernatural Elements – Stories often had ghosts, dreams, and mysterious events.
  7. Revolt Against Society – Writers disliked social rules and wanted freedom.

Famous Writers of the Romantic Age

  1. William Wordsworth – Called the “father of Romantic poetry.”
  2. Samuel Taylor Coleridge – Wrote imaginative poems.
  3. Lord Byron – Wrote passionate and rebellious poetry.
  4. Percy Bysshe Shelley – Wrote about freedom and revolution.
  5. John Keats – Wrote about beauty and nature.
  6. Mary Shelley – Wrote the famous novel Frankenstein.

Famous Writings of the Romantic Age

Lyrical Ballads (1798) – William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge

This collection of poems started the Romantic Age. Wordsworth wrote about simple life, nature, and human emotions. His poem Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey describes the beauty of nature and its deep effect on the mind. Coleridge’s poems focused on imagination and mystery. His famous poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner tells the story of a sailor who kills an albatross and suffers a terrible curse. The book changed English poetry by using everyday language and deep feelings.

Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage (1812-1818) – Lord Byron

This long poem follows a lonely traveler, Harold, who feels lost in the world. He explores different countries but cannot find happiness. The poem describes Harold’s deep thoughts and strong emotions. Byron made the “Byronic hero” famous—a proud, rebellious, and mysterious character. The poem expresses Byron’s love for adventure and freedom. It also talks about history, nature, and personal struggles.

Ode to a Nightingale (1819) – John Keats

This poem describes a nightingale’s song and the poet’s deep emotions. Keats listens to the bird and dreams of escaping pain through beauty. He thinks about life, death, and art. He feels joy but also sadness because beauty cannot last forever. The poem uses rich and musical language to express deep thoughts. It is one of Keats’ most famous works about imagination and human feelings.

Frankenstein (1818) – Mary Shelley

This novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a living creature from dead body parts. The monster is intelligent and sensitive, but people fear and reject him. He becomes lonely and angry, seeking revenge on his creator. The novel explores science, responsibility, and human emotions. It warns about the dangers of uncontrolled ambition. The story is both exciting and tragic, making it a great example of Romantic literature.

Prometheus Unbound (1820) – Percy Bysshe Shelley

This play is based on the Greek myth of Prometheus, who stole fire from the gods to help humans. In Shelley’s version, Prometheus is a symbol of freedom and resistance against oppression. He suffers great pain but never gives up. The play celebrates courage, hope, and the power of love. It is written in beautiful and powerful poetry, making it one of Shelley’s greatest works.