Romantic Poetry

Question. 1 What is Romanticism and its elements?

Introduction
Romanticism (1798-1837) was a literary movement that started (emerged) in 1798 with the
publication of Lyrical Ballads and flourished in the early to mid-nineteenth century. It was
characterized by its emphasis on Emotion, imagination, Appreciation of nature, individualism,
the sublime, subjectivity, and reverence for common men.
Romantic Poetry
It is a literary genre that emphasizes the expression of emotions, the beauty of nature,
individualism, and the imagination, often as a reaction, challenging the conventional forms and
themes prevalent in earlier literature.
Notable Romantic Poets
1. William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
He is known for his focus on nature, ordinary people, and significance of emotions.
2. Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834)
His poetry, such as “Kubla Khan” and “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, explores super natural
elements, the power of imagination, and the connection between nature and the human mind.
3. John Keats (1795-1821)
He is celebrated for his sensual imagery, exploration of beauty, mortality, and odes such as “Ode
to a Nightingale” and “Ode on a Grecian Urn”.
4. Lord Baryn (1788-1824)
His poetry, including works like “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage” and “Don Juan”, often reflects
themes of heroism, passion, and rebellion against societal norms.
5. Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)
His poetry, such as “Ozymandios”, “Ode to the West Wind”, “To a Skylark”, dicusses radical
themes, social criticism, and idealism etc.
6. William Blake (1757-1827)
Blake’s works like “Songs of Innocence and Experience”, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell”
explores themes of spirituality, imagination, and social injustice.
Question. 2 What is Pantheism? Discuss William Wordsworth’s
Pantheistic approach towards poetry.

Etymology
The term “Pantheism” comes from the Greek words “pan”, meaning all, and “Theos”, meaning
“god or divine”.
Introduction
Pantheism is a philosophical and religious belief that the universe, reality, and nature are identical
(similar) to divinity or a supreme entity. The physical universe is thus understood as an immanent
(permanent) deity, still expanding and creating, which has existed since the beginning of time.
Pantheist
The term pantheist designates (classify, nominate) one who holds (support, believe) both that
everything constitutes a unity and that this unity is divine, consisting of an all-encompassing,
manifested (obvious, evident, apparent) god or goddess. All astronomical (physical) objects are
thence (from source previously mentioned) viewed as parts of a sole entity. (source: Wikipedia)
Or
Pantheism is a philosophical viewpoint that regards the universe, or nature as equivalent to God
or the divine. It emphasizes the immanent nature of the divine, seeing God in everything and
everyone rather than perceiving a transcendent deity.
Pantheism posits (place, assume, suggest) that the universe itself is the ultimate source of
spirituality, and all things within it are interconnected. (source: teacher’s lecture)
William Wordsworth’s Philosophy of Pantheism in English Literature
William Wordsworth possessed a unique perspective on spirituality and the interconnectedness
of all things. His philosophy, often categorized as pantheism, centered around the belief that the
natural world holds divine qualities.
The key tenets (principle, belief) of Wordsworth’s pantheistic philosophy are:
The Divine Presence in Nature
➢ For Wordsworth, nature was more than a mere backdrop (background) for his poetry; it was a
living, breathing entity infused (filled, pervaded) with spiritual significance.
➢ In his eyes, every element of nature, from the grandest mountains to the tiniest flower,
contained a spark of divinity. Wordsworth found solace and spiritual fulfillment in the beauty
and harmony of the natural world.
Unity and Interconnectedness
➢ Wordsworth’s pantheistic philosophy emphasized the interconnectedness of all living beings
in the universe and nature. He saw a unity between humanity, the natural world, and the divine,
emphasizing that they were all part of a larger, harmonious whole.
➢ According to Wordsworth, it was essential to embrace and recognize this interconnectedness
for leading a meaningful life.
The Role of Imagination and Perception
➢ Wordsworth believed that perceiving and interpreting (explaining) the natural world through
the lens of imagination was crucial to understanding its spiritual dimensions. He emphasized
the importance of a childlike sense of wonder, unburdened by societal constraints, in
perceiving the divine in nature.
➢ In his poem, Daffodils, he describes how a simple encounter with nature can ignite the
imagination and elevate the spirit.
Nature as a Source of Spiritual Healing
➢ Wordsworth saw nature as a healing force for the soul. He believed that spending time in
natural surroundings could restore one's sense of harmony and peace, soothing the emotional
and spiritual wounds inflicted by the trials and tribulations of life.
➢ In his poem “The Tables Turned”, he encourages his readers to leave their books and engage
directly with nature, suggesting that it can offer a deeper and more meaningful understanding
of life and the divine.
Question. Philosophy of Pantheism in detail.

What is Pantheism?
Pantheism is the belief that God and the universe are the same things rather than separate things.
In other words, 'God is all, and all is God.
The term pantheism was developed in the eighteenth century from the Greek roots ‘pan’, meaning
all, and ‘Theos’, meaning God. Pantheists see God's presence throughout the world. While some
kinds of pantheism are rooted in religion, others can be traced to philosophic, scientific, or poetic
perspectives.
Pantheism vs. Christianity
Pantheism differs from monotheistic religions like Christianity in three major respects.
➢ First, pantheism rejects the idea that God is a separate entity from the universe.
➢ Second, pantheism removes the idea of transcendence. God does not exist beyond reality
since God is immanent or present in the universe.
➢ Third, pantheists reject the idea of God's personhood. They usually refrain from attributing
human or personal attributes to God.
Pantheistic Beliefs
How can God and creation be the same thing?
Is it the same as the belief that God is present everywhere?
To explain this further, let's compare pantheism with the monotheistic religion, Christianity.
Christians believe that God is the creator of the Universe and that they are two separate entities.
This can be compared to a painter and his piece of art. Though the art was born from the internal
creativity of the artist, it is entirely separate and exists on its own.
However, Pantheism merges God and the Universe together. We can compare this to a ballerina
and her dance. The dancer and dance exist together as one entity. You cannot remove one from
the other because they are, in essence, the same being.
In these examples, there are two major differences between monotheistic religions and Pantheism,
which highlight Pantheism's beliefs. The first is the removal of transcendence (supremacy,
superiority). In Pantheistic religions, God is present in all things. God does not exist beyond our
realm of reality. The second is the dismissal of God as a separate entity. Instead, to Pantheists
God is seen as the overall existence of everything within the Universe.
Pantheistic Philosophy origin
During the 17th Century, Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza wrote the philosophical discourse
titled ‘Ethica’. This was in response to Rene Descartes' dualistic theory that stated that the body
and the spirit were two separate entities. Baruch Spinoza took the opposite approach and believed
that the body and the spirit were the same thing. Though the term 'Pantheism' would not be coined
until after his death, Spinoza is recognized not only as one of the greatest philosophers of his
time, but also as one of Pantheism's greatest advocates.
Lesson Summary
Pantheism is the belief that God and the universe are the same things rather than separate things.
In other words, 'God is all, and all is God.' Pantheists see God's presence throughout the world.
While some kinds of pantheism are rooted in religion, others can be traced to philosophic,
scientific, or poetic perspectives. Pantheism differs from monotheistic religions, like Christianity,
in rejecting the idea that God is a separate entity from the universe. The pantheistic view that God
and creation are the same things is like a ballerina dancing. The ballerina cannot be separated
from the dance.
Major pantheistic religions include Taoism and some schools of Hinduism. Pantheism's history
can be traced to ancient times, including the ancient Greeks. For example, the Stoics believed that
God and nature were the same. In the European Renaissance, the philosopher Baruch Spinoza
was one of the first and greatest advocates of pantheism. (Source. Study.com)