English Literature | Romanticism: main features, social context and key concepts
Summary
TLDRThis video script offers an insightful introduction to Romanticism, a pivotal era in European culture and literature. It highlights the period's social and historical context, marked by revolutions like the American and French revolutions, and the Industrial Revolution. The script delves into key Romantic themes such as the emphasis on imagination, the free artist, the significance of nature, and the concepts of beauty and the sublime. It also touches on the rise of the middle class and its impact on art and literature, as well as the contributions of notable Romantic poets and writers like Wordsworth, Blake, and Mary Shelley.
Takeaways
- π Romanticism was a period marked by significant revolutions, including the American Revolution and the French Revolution, which greatly impacted England and Europe.
- π The Industrial Revolution drastically changed social and economic structures, leading to social unrest and a reaction from the working class.
- π’ Advances in transportation allowed for the quicker spread of ideas across Britain and Europe, influencing the intellectual climate of the time.
- π Romanticism was a pan-European movement with different focuses in various countries, such as Germany's Sturm und Drang and France's emphasis on drama and political elements.
- π The rise of the middle class and the publication of 'The Wealth of Nations' by Adam Smith laid the groundwork for modern capitalism and liberalism.
- πΌοΈ Imagination was a central theme in Romanticism, with poets like Wordsworth using it as a lens to perceive the world more deeply.
- πΏ Nature was a primary source of inspiration for Romantic artists, who saw it as an organic living entity imbued with spirituality.
- π¨ The Romantic artist was considered free from the constraints of neoclassicism, embodying the spirit of individualism and intellectual independence.
- π Imagery and symbolism, including mythological elements, were used by Romantic artists to convey transcendental truths.
- ποΈ The concepts of 'beautiful' and 'sublime' were key in defining beauty during the Romantic period, with the latter often associated with danger and grandeur.
- π The Romantic period saw a rise in professional writers and a distinction between literature meant for entertainment and that which held deeper artistic value.
Q & A
What is the significance of the Romantic period in European culture?
-The Romantic period is considered one of the most studied and significant periods in European culture, marked by a focus on emotions, individualism, and the glorification of nature. It was a time of great social and political upheaval, and it greatly influenced literature, art, and intellectual thought.
What major revolutions are associated with the Romantic period?
-The Romantic period is known as the 'age of revolutions', which includes the American Revolution, the French Revolution, and the Napoleonic Wars. These revolutions had profound impacts on political structures, social attitudes, and the way people thought about their place in the world.
How did the Industrial Revolution impact the Romantic period?
-The Industrial Revolution, occurring during the late 18th and 19th centuries, drastically changed social and economic structures, causing social unrest and a reaction from the working class. It also led to a romanticized view of nature as a counterpoint to the industrialized world.
What is the concept of 'imagination' in Romanticism?
-Imagination is a key concept in Romanticism, emphasizing the power of the individual to perceive and interpret the world in a personal and subjective way. It was seen as a way to access deeper truths and was often associated with the role of the poet as a prophet.
How did the Romantic period view the role of the artist?
-The Romantic period viewed the artist as a free and independent figure, liberated from the constraints of neoclassicism. Artists were seen as individuals who could express their unique visions and insights through their work.
What was the importance of nature in Romantic literature?
-Nature was a central theme in Romantic literature, seen as a source of inspiration and a place where the 'true self' could be discovered. It was considered an organic living entity, full of spirituality and hidden truths.
How did Romanticism differ across different countries in Europe?
-Romanticism developed differently across Europe, with variations in focus and expression. For example, in Germany, it began with Sturm und Drang and emphasized philosophical aspects, while in England, it was more about poetry and the ideal of the poet, and in France, it was centered on drama and literary criticism.
Who were some of the key figures of the Romantic period?
-Key figures of the Romantic period include poets like William Blake, William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Percy Bysshe Shelley. They were known for their innovative use of language and their exploration of themes like nature, imagination, and the sublime.
What is the concept of the 'sublime' in Romanticism?
-The sublime in Romanticism refers to a sense of awe and fear inspired by the vastness and power of nature or art. It is associated with the overwhelming and sometimes dangerous aspects of beauty that captivate the human imagination.
How did the Romantic period view the role of the middle class?
-The Romantic period saw the rise of the middle class as a significant social and economic force. This class was central to the new economy and played a crucial role in shaping the cultural and intellectual landscape of the time.
What were some of the literary forms popular during the Romantic period?
-During the Romantic period, poetry, especially lyrical poetry and ballads, was highly valued. Works like 'Lyrical Ballads' by Wordsworth and Coleridge, and the use of personal experience and emotional expression were characteristic of the era.
Outlines
π Introduction to Romanticism
This paragraph introduces the Romantic period as a significant era in European culture and English literature. It emphasizes the period's association with revolutions, including the American Declaration of Independence and the French Revolution, which had profound impacts on Britain's colonial and imperial attitudes. The paragraph also touches on the Industrial Revolution and its transformative effects on social and economic structures, leading to social unrest. The Romantic movement is described as a pan-European phenomenon with different focuses in various countries, characterized by enthusiasm and a reaction to the political and social changes of the time.
π Romanticism's Impact on Art and Literature
The second paragraph delves into how Romanticism affected poets like Blake and Wordsworth, who felt they were living in an apocalyptic moment, leading to new energy and enthusiasm in their works. It discusses the different manifestations of Romanticism in various countries, such as Germany's philosophical focus, England's emphasis on poetry, and France's political element. The paragraph also mentions Jean-Jacques Rousseau's influence on the movement, proposing that humans are essentially good but can be corrupted by society and private property. Additionally, it highlights the emerging middle class's role in shaping the economy and society, referencing Adam Smith's 'The Wealth of Nations' and its advocacy for laissez-faire economics.
ποΈ Key Concepts of Romanticism
This paragraph outlines the key concepts of Romanticism, starting with the importance of imagination and subjectivity, exemplified by Wordsworth's use of 'I wandered lonely as a cloud.' It discusses the poet as a prophet, using imagination to see deeper truths. The artist's newfound freedom from societal and artistic rules is highlighted, along with nature's role as the primary source of inspiration and spirituality. The paragraph concludes with the concept of the sublime, contrasting it with the beautiful, and how it relates to the picturesque and Gothic elements popular during the period.
π Romanticism in Literature and the Role of Poets
The fourth paragraph focuses on the use of ballads and lyrics by Romantic poets, who emphasized personal experiences and spirituality. It contrasts this with the Industrial Revolution, which was seen as corrupting nature. The paragraph mentions how some poems, like Blake's 'London,' expressed strong opposition to industrialization. It also discusses the recurring theme of children as symbols of innocence and purity, with Blake's 'The Lamb' as an example. The importance of memory in Romanticism is also highlighted, as seen in Wordsworth's recollection of daffodils.
π The Rise of the Novel and Women's Role in Literature
This paragraph discusses the rise of the novel during the Romantic period and the division between 'good' and 'bad' literature. It notes the emergence of professional writers and the economic motivations behind literature production. The paragraph also acknowledges the significant role women began to play in literature, mentioning Ann Radcliffe's Gothic novels and Jane Austen's social commentary. It further discusses Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' as a pioneering work in both Gothic and science fiction genres.
π Conclusion and Preview of Future Content
The final paragraph summarizes the key aspects of Romanticism discussed so far and sets the stage for future videos that will delve deeper into the works of individual Romantic writers. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the movement's themes and context to interpret the works of Romantic poets and writers accurately.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Romanticism
π‘Age of Revolutions
π‘Imagination
π‘Industrial Revolution
π‘Nature
π‘Artist
π‘Sublime
π‘Beautiful
π‘Mythology
π‘Gothic
π‘Liberalism
Highlights
Introduction to Romanticism and its significance in European culture.
Romantic period as the 'Age of Revolutions' with political and ideological shifts.
American Revolution's impact on Britain's colonialism and the emergence of the Commonwealth.
French Revolution's influence on England and the rise of Napoleon's empire.
Britain's involvement in political changes and the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo.
The Industrial Revolution and its profound effects on social and economic structures.
Social unrest due to the reactions of the working class against the middle class.
The Romantic movement as a pan-European phenomenon with diverse currents.
The role of poets like Blake and Wordsworth in capturing the spirit of the times.
German Romanticism's focus on philosophical aspects and the Sturm und Drang movement.
French Romanticism's emphasis on drama, literary criticism, and political elements.
The influence of Jean-Jacques Rousseau on Romantic thought across Europe.
The rise of the middle class and its impact on the economy and society.
Adam Smith's 'The Wealth of Nations' and the principles of laissez-faire economics.
Key Romantic themes: imagination, the artist's freedom, nature, and the sublime.
The concept of the poet as a prophet and the use of imagination in their work.
Nature as a source of inspiration and the idea of organic living in Romanticism.
The division of beauty into 'beautiful' and 'sublime' in Romantic art and literature.
The use of ballads and lyrics in Romantic poetry to express personal experiences.
The opposition of nature to the Industrial Revolution in Romantic literature.
The importance of childhood and innocence in the works of William Blake.
The role of memory in Romantic poetry and its connection to imagination.
The rise of women writers in Romantic literature, such as Ann Radcliffe and Jane Austen.
Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' as an early example of science fiction within Gothic literature.
The distinction between 'good' and 'bad' literature in the Romantic period.
Transcripts
[Music]
hi everybody we all know that one of the
most studied and considered periods and
not only in in English literature
battalion European culture is Romantic
period romanticism so my idea today is
to give you a sort of an introduction
short maybe but complete introduction in
order to be able to understand social
and historical context but also to
somehow to remember some key concepts
some ideas that will help us then study
some on the poet's or the greatest
writers and intellectuals of the time so
first of all we have to remember that
romanticism was the so-called age of
revolutions which revolutions are we
talking about first of all the American
Declaration of Independence was signed
and that was something completely new
the American Revolution changed
completely the attitude and the idea of
England of Britain and concerning
colonialism concerning the Empire that
was a great loss and then after some
time during Korean age we have a new
idea of empire developed by Queen
Victoria that was absolutely important
to develop economy English economy and
so we can talk about the Commonwealth
and another kind of Empire so this is a
complete change okay concern in the idea
of colonialism and concerning the idea
of Empire then a second revolution we
can remember extremely important not
just a political revolution a revolution
sorry but also an ideological revolution
is french revolution obviously which
created both enthusiasm
side and on the other side also
radicalism sometimes especially in
England and then after the French French
Revolution we know that we know that
Napoleon started his own empire and that
somehow also involved England and we
have to remember that in 1815 when
Napoleon was defeated in Waterloo it was
the Duke of Wellington who actually led
the battle so we can say that Britain is
extremely involved in the political
changes of the time now only say when we
talk about age of revolution we don't
talk just about revolution political
revolutions they can say so but also
some other kinds of changes Industrial
Revolution first of all that's
revolution that developed specifically
during the end of the 18th century and
so then during the 19th century changed
completely the social structure the
economical structure of Britain and that
of Europe of course it could also cause
a very large quantity of social unrest
okay especially because of the reaction
of the working class okay against the
the owners against the middle class most
of the times it also provoked some other
changes in some other fields like for
example we can talk about agricultural
revolution we can talk about transport
revolution this is also very important
just not just as far as economy is
concerned as far as trade is concerned
but we knew that transport means mean
that not only goons can travel can
travel across Britain or across across
Europe but also people travel and so
ideas travel in less time for a longer
for a longer path so generally we can
consider that intellectuals during the
Romantic period and we have to remember
that when we talk about Romanticism we
are talking about a movement not
occurrence because this movement is
formed by many different currencies
throughout Europe because it involves
all Europe in different moments moments
and focus in different aspects and we'll
see this so this this period provoked
call the sort of an enthusiasm okay in
especially in in the poets and the time
we're talking about Blake Wordsworth or
choleric they had this feeling that they
could be present in such a sort of an
apocalyptic moment okay in Europe and so
they that provoked sort of of a new
energy and enthusiasm in their works
obviously as I said before romanticism
developed in a different way is in
different ways sorry in different
countries like for example in in Germany
first of all we have to remember that
romanticism in in Germany started from
the Sturm and Drang okay started from
the strimmin drug that developed more or
less and 70 1770 more or more or less
and so it developed from there and it
was especially focused on the
philosophical aspect then in England of
course we'll see it obviously later it's
a pretty much about poetry and the idea
of poetry and the the ideal of the poet
profit for example in France I have the
FRA
romanticism was baseless focus on drama
on literary criticism and obviously
there was also a strong political
element because of the other period
events important period of revolutions
of France was living we can also
remember that Rousseau Rousseau
jean-jacques Rousseau influenced the
thought of many romantic intellectuals
throughout all Europe and we can
remember that the idea was so the
philosopher was concerned the human
being that was considered to be good
okay to be essentially good in nature
and then he he was potentially corrupted
by society by the structural society and
especially by private property property
sorry okay so this was a very
interesting philosophy that could really
influence many many intellectuals and
especially poets Italy well Italy came a
little later but in in Italy romanticism
was also and especially based on the
idea or the development of the novel and
a poetry as well so this period period
as I said before was especially based on
a sort of a new economy new economy
which was based on the middle class okay
and this rising class was extremely
strong at the moment and the middle
class upper middle class was now ruling
the economical and the social world
there is especially one work that
includes the thought the economical
thought but also the perspective towards
government
such was the idea of of state which was
written by Adam Smith okay was written
by Adam Smith in 70
seventy-six and it was called The Wealth
of Nations it was based on a principle
on Honor on a concept that was called
Lisa Fair which is French and it means
it it's and sometimes expresses the idea
that there should be no interference
okay no action of the government in
economical policies and in economical
actions in general this is a very modern
point of view and we can say that from
this moment on we can start to consider
ok the rooms of the future capitalism
liberalism liberalism which is something
different so back to our literature back
to arts in general I told you we would
have fixed some key concepts some key
points ok that represent art a
literature in general talking
specifically about England but as I told
you before this is this this is
influencing also culture throughout all
Europe we can say that the first
important point first important theme is
the stress on imagination imagination is
a absolute key word when we talk about
Romanticism imaginations of subjectivity
somehow so a personal point of view a
personal perspective especially the poet
was considered the one who really who
could really use imagination through his
own in Ward I in Ward I is a word that
William Wordsworth
uses in his work I wandered lonely as a
cloud or the daffodils if you prefer and
he really talked about this I that was
I of imagination through each other poet
himself in this case that were able to
to understand to see deeper into things
to understand to watch okay and
imagination one a sort of a lens through
this lens they could understand more
they can see more than other people so
imagination is absolutely important and
probably this this was also the point
that inspired the definition of the poet
as poet prophet because actually the
poet was able able to look deeper into
things and to convey okay and to express
what they could understand through art
okay in order to let to help other
people to understand what they could
really see using their inward eye which
was something special they had that's
what that was why they were called forth
prophets so second key point is a second
key concept first one stress on
imagination the second one is about the
artist the artist is now free is
completely free from we can say any kind
of rule we're not just talking about
social rules or social aspects of you're
also talking about artistic aspects he's
free from neoclassicism
for example absolutely free which
reminds us of the concept of the genie
in in the stew on drunk in in Germany
the genie was the Intel genius we can
say in translation but Chinese concept
somehow Express this independence of the
intellectual okay who was absolutely
we're self-conscious and independent
this is also very important so third
concept third point says first one was
the stress on the imagination second is
the artist okay who is completely freeze
of freedom independence of the artist
second keeps the key concept is nature
nature is the most important topic when
when considering romanticism nature is
the inspiration okay
of all artists of all poets and not only
nature was the place where artists could
find their inspiration and it was also
the place were the true were we can say
hidden truths could be find could be
found sorry
so nature nature is considered as an
organic living all which means that in
nature we found spirituality and the
concept of of of nature is a very
fantastic concept okay so now we are
developing a new idea also of spiritual
of spirituality everything inside nature
is alive and nature is this organic all
organic living oh okay completely new
concept and absolutely very very very
present in poetry especially first one
so last fourth and last key concept I
remember again first one was stressing
imagination that independence of the
artisan nature as an organic leaving all
and fourth point is imagining so imagine
also connected to the idea of myth for
example of Mythology a symbolism this is
also interesting because
this imagery was also you can say was
also connected with the idea of the
artists that could see Luke deeper into
things okay using his imagination as we
said before and he could be able to
understand to to find out that sort of a
trascendental that sort of a super
sensible truth okay that metaphysical
truth that other people couldn't
actually understand couldn't actually
touch somehow Burcham be considered the
idea of how beauty how the concept of
beauty was treated at the time was
considered at the time and it divided
the concept of beauty into two parts one
concern what is beautiful and the other
side sublime so beautiful is that beauty
okay
that beautiful concern all those
elements that were somehow controlled
regular tamed we can say that worsen
somehow reassuring for the human being
it was a delicate balance somehow on the
other side we have the sublime the
sublime is something something
completely different it also belongs to
the idea of beauty but it is huge
it's dangerous it could be even fatal
somehow okay and still it is absolutely
fascinating and it attracts the human
being okay so from the study from the
concept of sublime yeah because the
development of another country another
concept which is picturesque
and picturesque influences all the
Gothic elements and all the gothic
currencies we have in this period which
are very very popular and widespread we
talked to my previous video about
Frankenstein or the modern prometheus by
Mary Shelley so there are obviously some
authors that are inspired by the concept
of beautiful and others from the context
from the concept of sublime when talking
about beautiful we can mention
Wordsworth for example when we talk
about the sublime and we can mention
courage they wrote together the lyrical
ballads but they talked and wrote from
two opposite perspectives and Blake as
well in his own work works and Songs of
Innocence particularly in the land he
represented the beautiful side of art in
his other work his other collection
Songs of Experience in particular the
tiger he talked about the idea of
sublime all them where truth coloration
Blake were all belonging to the first
generation of Romantic poets and we have
the second generation layer Lord Byron
we have Percy Bysshe Shelley we have
John tease for example and I develop
their own idea of not only beautiful or
sublime but also other aspects like for
example desperate and tragic love like
for example the role a different role or
in Lord Byron of the individual okay and
his own study in dependence or in a
Percy Bysshe Shelley's case another idea
of art which should
some somehow in a huge net or elements
of mythology and history of arts and
some also falter if six element and so
on so completely different ideas and
perspectives perspectives because as I
told you romanticism is a great movement
and inside this movement we have a lot
of different currencies a lot of
different points of view when talking
about poetry it's important to remember
that poets at the time use particularly
ballads ballads and lyrics in general
Kalia mentioned before for example the
lyrical ballads by were certain color
age okay when talking about color ichika
mentioned the Rime of the Ancient
Mariner one of the most famous balance
and Romantic period they were all based
as I said before on a sort of a personal
experience personal experience of the
world of spirituality personal
perception okay of the world of nature
especially as we said before nature that
was somehow opposed okay to Industrial
Revolution Industrial Revolution was now
seen as an enemy that was corrupting
nature and some poems expressed that in
a very strong way let's think for
example let's think of London by Blake
by William Blake he talked about the
city that was corrupted that was salt as
a prostitute that was becoming dark
because of pollution Blake again wrote
the chimney sweeper in this case we have
the child which is the we can say the
symbol of purity that
is exploited which is corrupted by this
new system childhood actually children
were also a very important theme very
recurrent and cyclic theme in in
Romanticism they're always the symbol of
innocence and purity talking about Blake
we can remember that lamb in that sense
of experience was the symbol of
innocence was the symbol of childhood
and in this case we have also a
Christian symbolism and firmly we can
say that Blake was one of the last
Romantic poets who actually talked or
used a Christian symbolism but the lamb
is also a very strong symbol for Christ
okay so then talking about imagination I
have mentioned before they wandered
lonely as a cloud
this is absolutely iconic its iconic
because the idea of the poet that can
experience something very simple like
watching their food is like watching the
small flowers and then when he gets back
home he remembers he remembers these
flowers using is his inward eye we have
mentioned before he he gets back to them
so memory is another important very
strong element and concept of
Romanticism now we have talked about
poetry because poetry is as I said one
of the symbols one of the most important
elements of Romanticism but we don't
have to remember to to forget that also
fiction okay was somehow important and
represented here section that was
specifically
meant for entertainment at the time so
in this case we have that concept we
have talked about that in my video about
the rise of the novel of the of the
modern novel we have this a sort of a
division or discussion about good
literature and bad literature some bad
literature concern especially all those
words that were just meant for the
market ok the general just meant to sell
basically and normally they had some
mechanical cliches and some very
mechanical plots with a forced happy
ending ok and this pattern was only
meant to please the public somehow in
fact during the 18th and the 19th
century we started to talk about
professional writers ok and I had to
consider writing as a true work and they
had to give their literary product ok to
publishing houses this is why often we
talk about this good literature and this
bad literature that was especially based
on a sort of an economical need we can
say so but anyway we have great
novelists we have absolutely great
novelists in in the Indus period in a
romantic period and we can say that
women started to play an important role
in literature we can mention for example
and an Radcliffe who was so
representative for the Gothic currents
ok with their novels full of fearful
events and gloomy and creepy aspects and
and settings for example Jane Austen
Jenelle says something completely
different from Ann Radcliffe absolutely
opposites that she wrote her noble
manners in which she talked about her
social class which was the gentry and
appearances and manners and KC
conventions okay that belong to her
so-called
small world she represented this world
with a sort of an affection because she
belonged to it but at the same time she
also criticized it in a very subtle way
okay with a small irony and she
criticized the exaggerations okay she
criticized the exaggeration of
appearances the lack of
self-consciousness sometimes the lack of
we can say the lack of generosity and
also during this time also dramatic
period we have talked about her during
my my last video we can mention Mary
Shelley a cursor she was also so
important as father as as the as the the
gothic novel is concerned she wrote
Frankenstein and we can remember all the
important elements she introduced for
the first time in literature because it
was a gothic novel this is true it was
gothic fiction but it was for the very
first time in history also science
fiction okay so this is sort of a of a
big picture okay in which we can somehow
find our our intellectuals our ports our
writers and we'll talk about all of them
in detail but if we remember these
aspects we are absolutely able to give
an interpretation or larger
interpretation to their works I hope
this is useful for you and
I'll see you later okay with my next
video about dramatic pose thank you very
much and see you very very soon
[Music]
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