Characteristics of Romantic Revival

Characteristics of Romantic Revival
Introduction
The first thirty years of the 19th century is termed as the period of romantic Revival in
English literature the Elizabethans were the first romantics, the romantic spirit suffered a
decline during the subsequent ages and it was left to especially early nineteenth-century to
bring back that spirit once again in Literature.
Romantic Revival is a broad term used to indicate the change that came over literary
sensibility and expression during this period romantic Revival was a Revolt against Neo-
classical spirit. The Revolt became evident when James Thompson published his `The
Seasons` - poem in a new matter and manner. Collins and Gray enlarged the spirit of the
romantic movement in odes and elegies, William Blake's most famous publications Songs of
Innocence and Songs of Experience were landmarks in the revolution of the romantic spirit.
Romanticism is the expression of sensibilities and it highlights mostly imaginative

feelings, critics say that this error went back in history and methodology mythology however
it was also a return to nature some other aspects of romanticism are intellectual curiosity and
simple stick life.
Characteristics of Romantic revival
1. Dominance of Imagination & Emotions

2. Glorification of Nature
3. Super-naturalism & Spiritualism
4. Return of Lyrics
5. Application of Aesthetic Beauty and Artistic Creativity
6. Theme of Solitude
7. Representation of Simple Life
8. Liberty and Freedom
9. Introducing New Themes
10. Autobiographical works and Personification
(1) Dominance of Imagination & Emotions
In romantic poetry intellect and reason were vanished and their place were taken by
imagination, emotion and passion. All the romantic poets highlighted emotional sentiments
and imagination that were not in existence in previous ages.
The focus on emotion is a key characteristic of nearly all the writings from the
romantic period. The Romantic era described all forms of emotion like love, sorrow,
loneliness and more. Mary Shelley's famous work Frankenstein is the best example of
emotional characterization where a monster shows his feelings and other emotions,
expressions of anger and sadness.
(2) Glorification of nature
Nature plays a huge role in romantic literature however nature is sometimes seen as
the opposite of rational, it is the powerful symbol of work from the era. Romantic writers give
some deep descriptions of nature and its wild and powerful qualities in a naturalistic way.
In To Autumn poem by John Keats described his emotions and the symbols of
natural elements. Keats was aware that he was dying of consumption but his celebration of
Autumn symbolises the beauty in short term life.
(3) Super-naturalism & Spiritualism
Super-naturalism is another outstanding quality of romantic poetry, mystery and

wonder were added by Poets like Scott and S.T Coleridge. Many critics make a romantic
Revival as a Renaissance of Wonder because of supernatural elements; many romantic
poets and writers introduced the Gothic literature as dark and horror genres.
(4) Return of Lyrics
During the romantic movement the poetry once more becomes more musical sensual
and passionate instead of an intellectual expression of feeling leading to the lyrical mode of
expression. P B Shelley gives a new scope and richness to lyrical verses. The romantics of
Europe in England were the first in order to keep this quality fresh and alive despite all
changes and outlooks of lyrics.
This era of romantic poets gives a number of fine lyrics in the form of Heroic couplet
and also lyrics provide some melody and sweetness of tone to Poetry.
(5) Application of Aesthetic beauty and Artistic creativity
Romantic literature also explores the theme of aesthetic beauty not just of nature but
of people as well. This is essentially concerned with the description of female beauty, writers
of the Romantic Era praised women for their natural loveliness.
`She walks in beauty` by Lord Byron is the best example of aesthetic beauty
appreciation during the romantic era.
This era also gave the most important creative impulse which celebrated the power
of creativity and presented their artistic views. Romantic poets and writers look at the world
very differently and celebrate the vision in their works.
`The prelude` by William Wordsworth is the best example of creativity during a romantic
moment.
(6) Theme of Solitude
Writers of the romantic era believed that creative inspiration came from solitary
exploration, solitude means to like being alone and they celebrated being alone. Solitude
can be seen as loneliness and much needed space to think and create. We can see them of
Solitude in many literary Works from this period like,
(1) Frost at midnight by ST Coleridge

(2) I wandered lonely as a cloud poem by William Wordsworth
(7) Representation of simple life
Before romantic writers Augustus also wrote about the common simple life of people.
Wordsworth and his contemporaries tried to write in the very simplest languages and wrote
about simple common countryside. Usually, the characters were people from villages.
The group of Lake poets William Wordsworth, St Coleridge, Southey and their
followers achieved popularity by using the simplest language in the literature.
Romantic poetry was also influenced by common simple country life like Coffee
houses, clubs, and drawing rooms were presented. Rather than writing about towns and
cities, literature shifted to village life which was very simple.
(8) Liberty and Freedom
The basis of romantic poetry lay on liberty and freedom of individuals and also
society, romantic poets were rebels against the dictatorship and brutality over human beings.
We have noted the rebellions against traditions and absolute power.
(9) Introducing new themes
Romantic poetry has a variety of new themes. Poetry of this age depended on the
character and mood of different writers new themes of Solitude, subjectivity, nature
orientation, individuality, love, Liberty, Supernatural elements, country Life, lyrics, and
emotional themes were presented.
(10) Autobiographical works and personification
Literary works of the Romantic Era are deeply personal and they often explore the
self of Writers, we can see autobiographical works in poems and prose style. However, the
most important genre was creativity and emotional artistic work. We can see the profound
influence of confessional poetry in the mid 1900s.
`Rousseau's confessions` by Jean Jacques
Romantic poets and prose writers very well used the personification in their works, best
examples of personification are from everything from birds to animals to natural events or
aspects. This work also personifies the feelings of love or the state of death.
Conclusion
As we sum up W.J long presented some silent characteristics of romantic Revival

that romanticism is the protest against the bondage of rules, the return to nature, the interest
in the middle ages and ancient literature.
Famous poets
(1) William Wordsworth

(2) S. T Coleridge
(3) P. B Shelley
(4) Lord Byron
(5) John Keats
(6) Robert Burns
(7) William Blake
Prominent Romantic revival works
(1) `Lyrical Ballads` by William Wordsworth

(2) `The Seasons` by James Thomson
(3) `Songs of Innocence` and `Songs of Experiences`

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Characteristics of Romantic Revival

Romanticism is the expression of sensibilities and it highlights mostly imaginative

Characteristics of Romantic revival

1. Dominance of Imagination & Emotions

(1) Dominance of Imagination & Emotions

(3) Super-naturalism & Spiritualism

Super-naturalism is another outstanding quality of romantic poetry, mystery and

(4) Return of Lyrics

(5) Application of Aesthetic beauty and Artistic creativity

(6) Theme of Solitude

(1) Frost at midnight by ST Coleridge

(7) Representation of simple life

(8) Liberty and Freedom

(9) Introducing new themes

(10) Autobiographical works and personification

`Rousseau's confessions` by Jean Jacques

As we sum up W.J long presented some silent characteristics of romantic Revival

(1) William Wordsworth

Prominent Romantic revival works

(1) `Lyrical Ballads` by William Wordsworth

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