Object 3

1
2

What Are the Characteristics of Romanticism in Literature?

Although literary Romanticism occurred from about 1790 through 1850, not all writers of this
period worked in this style. There are certain characteristics that make a piece of literature part of
the Romantic movement. You won’t find every characteristic present in every piece of Romantic
literature; however, you will usually find that writing from this period has several of the key
characteristics.

1. Glorification of Nature
Nature, in all its unbound glory, plays a huge role in Romantic literature. Nature, sometimes seen as
the opposite of the rational, is a powerful symbol in work from this era. Romantic poets and writers
give personal, deep descriptions of nature and its wild and powerful qualities.
Natural elements also work as symbols for the unfettered emotions of the poet or writer, as in the
final stanza of “To Autumn” by John Keats. Keats was aware that he was dying of consumption
throughout much of his short life and career, and his celebration of autumn symbolizes the beauty in
the ephemeral.
Where are the songs of spring? Ay, Where are they?

Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,—

While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,

And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;

Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn

Among the river sallows, borne aloft

Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;

And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;

Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft

The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;

And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.

ADVERTISEMENT
 Object 4

2. Awareness and Acceptance of Emotions

A focus on emotion is a key characteristic of nearly all writing from the Romantic period. When
you read work of this period, you’ll see feelings described in all forms, including romantic and filial
love, fear, sorrow, loneliness, and more. This focus on emotion offered a counterpoint to the
rational, and it also made Romantic poetry and prose extremely readable and relatable.
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein offers a perfect example of this characteristic of Romanticism. Here,
Frankenstein’s monster shows great self-awareness of his feelings and offers a vivid emotional
description full of anger and sadness.
I continued for the remainder of the day in my hovel in a state of utter and stupid
despair. My protectors had departed and had broken the only link that held me to the
world. For the first time the feelings of revenge and hatred filled my bosom, and I did
not strive to control them, but allowing myself to be borne away by the stream, I bent
my mind towards injury and death. When I thought of my friends, of the mild voice of
De Lacey, the gentle eyes of Agatha, and the exquisite beauty of the Arabian, these
thoughts vanished and a gush of tears somewhat soothed me. But again when I reflected
that they had spurned and deserted me, anger returned, a rage of anger, and unable to
injure anything human, I turned my fury towards inanimate objects. As night advanced I
placed a variety of combustibles around the cottage, and after having destroyed every
vestige of cultivation in the garden, I waited with forced impatience until the moon had
sunk to commence my operations.

ADVERTISEMENT

Object 5

3. Celebration of Artistic Creativity and Imagination

In contrast to the previous generations’ focus on reason, writers of the Romantic movement
explored the importance of imagination and the creative impulse. Romantic poets and prose writers
celebrated the power of imagination and the creative process, as well as the artistic viewpoint. They
believed that artists and writers looked at the world differently, and they celebrated that vision in
their work.
You can see this in William Wordsworth’s poem, “The Prelude."
Imagination—here the Power so called

Through sad incompetence of human speech,

That awful Power rose from the mind’s abyss

Like an unfathered vapour that enwraps,

At once, some lonely traveller. I was lost;

Halted without an effort to break through;

But to my conscious soul I now can say—

“I recognise thy glory:” in such strength

Of usurpation, when the light of sense

Goes out, but with a flash that has revealed

The invisible world….

ADVERTISEMENT

4. Emphasis on Aesthetic Beauty

Romantic literature also explores the theme of aesthetic beauty, not just of nature but of people as
well. This was especially true with descriptions of female beauty. Writers praised women of the
Romantic era for their natural loveliness, rather than anything artificial or constrained.
A classic example of this characteristic is George Gordon, or Lord Byron’s, poem “She Walks in
Beauty."
She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that’s best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes;

Thus mellowed to that tender light

Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

5. Themes of Solitude
Writers of the Romantic era believed that creative inspiration came from solitary exploration. They
celebrated the feeling of being alone, whether that meant loneliness or a much-needed quiet space to
think and create.
You’ll see solitary themes in many literary works from this period, including in this excerpt from
Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem “Frost at Midnight."
The Frost performs its secret ministry,

Unhelped by any wind. The owlet’s cry

Came loud—and hark, again! loud as before.

The inmates of my cottage, all at rest,

Have left me to that solitude, which suits

Abstruser musings: save that at my side

My cradled infant slumbers peacefully …

ADVERTISEMENT

6. Focus on Exoticism and History

Romantic-era literature often has a distinct focus on exotic locations and events or items from
history. Poems and prose touch on antiques and the gifts of ancient cultures around the world, and
far-away locations provide the setting for some literary works of this era.
One great example is Percy Byssche Shelley’s poem “Ozymandias."
I met a traveler from an antique land,

Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone

Stand in the desert. . . . Near them, on the sand,

Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,

And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,

Tell that its sculptor well those passions read

7. Spiritual and Supernatural Elements

The writers of the Romantic era did not turn away from the darker side of emotion and the
mysteries of the supernatural. They explored the contrast between life and death. Many pieces
have Gothic motifs, such as manor houses in disrepair, dark and stormy nights, and more.
Some of the supernatural elements serve as symbols for emotions of guilt, depression, and other
darker feelings, as you can see in this excerpt from The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan
Poe.
I learned, moreover, at intervals, and through broken and equivocal hints, another
singular feature of his mental condition. He was enchained by certain superstitious
impressions in regard to the dwelling which he tenanted, and whence, for many years,
he had never ventured forth --in regard to an influence whose supposititious force was
conveyed in terms too shadowy here to be re-stated --an influence which some
peculiarities in the mere form and substance of his family mansion, had, by dint of long
sufferance, he said, obtained over his spirit-an effect which the physique of the gray
walls and turrets, and of the dim tarn into which they all looked down, had, at length,
brought about upon the morale of his existence.

ADVERTISEMENT

8. Vivid Sensory Descriptions

Another essential characteristic of nearly all Romantic-era literature is vivid sensory descriptions.
The poems and prose of this period include examples of simile and metaphor, as well as visual
imagery and other sensory details. Poets and other writers went beyond simply telling about things
and instead gave the information readers need to feel and taste and touch the objects and
surroundings in Romantic-era writing.
Wordsworth uses vivid descriptions, including similes and metaphors, in his famous poem, “I
Wandered Lonely as a Cloud."
I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o’er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze …

ADVERTISEMENT

9. Use of Personification
Romantic poets and prose writers also used personification in their work. You can see examples of
personification of everything from birds and animals to natural events or aspects. These works even
personify feelings like love or states like death.
You can see Romantic personification in the work of the famous naturalist and writer, Karl von
Martius. Here is an excerpt about the trees of the Amazon from his book Flora Brasiliensis.
 I am impelled by some inner urge to tell you, gentle reader, these thoughts of my mind,
since I am presenting to your eyes a picture of those most ancient trees which I once
saw beside the Amazon River. Even today, after many years have gone by, I feel myself
struck by the appearance of those giants of great age, in the same way as by the face of
some giant human being. Even today those trees speak to me and fill my spirit with a
certain pious fear, even today they excite in my breast that silent wonder with which my
spirit was held at that time. This wonder is like a broad and deep river; the thoughts of
the human mind are its waves; not all feelings of the heart are to be expressed with
words....

ADVERTISEMENT

10. Focus on the Self and Autobiography

Many works of Romantic-era literature are deeply personal, and they often explore the self of the
writer. You’ll see autobiographical influences in poems and prose of the period. One characteristic
of this movement was the importance placed on feelings and creativity, and the source of much of
this emotional and artistic work was the background and real-life surroundings of the writer. This
self-focus preceded confessional poetry of the mid-1900s, but you can see its profound influence on
that movement.
One key example of Romantic autobiography is Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Confessions. In this work,
he endeavored to create an unvarnished look at his own upbringing and life.
I have begun on a work which is without precedent, whose accomplishment will have
no imitator. I propose to set before my fellow-mortals a man in all the truth of nature;
and this man shall be myself.

I have studied mankind and know my heart; I am not made like any one I have been
acquainted with, perhaps like no one in existence; if not better, I at least claim
originality, and whether Nature has acted rightly or wrongly in destroying the mold in
which she cast me, can only be decided after I have been read.

ADVERTISEMENT

Key Poetic Forms of Romanticism

If you are studying poetry of the Romantic era, it’s helpful to know the forms that were popular
during this time. These included odes, sonnets and lyrics. Take a look at examples of odes by
Romantic poets like Keats, as well as sonnet examples by the likes of Percy Shelley. Understanding
these poetic forms and their relationship to Romanticism will give you a deeper appreciation of this
work.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ROMANTIC AGE....

Introduction
Romanticism often considered as Romantic Age or Romantic Era was an artistic,
literary and intellectual movement of Europe. Many different dates are given for the rise of the
Romantic Age but the publication of Lyrical Ballads by William Wordsworth and S. T. Coleridge in
1798 is taken as the beginning of the Romantic Era.
Romanticism in literature concerned with the two bed – rock of emotions and
imaginations. It introduces the readers to a world of strangeness and beauty as Pater considers it as
“The addition of Strangeness in beauty.” He further said that –

The desire of beauty being a fixed element in every artistic organization, it is the addition of
curiosity to the desire of beauty.

Thus, the two most prominent elements of romanticism are curiosity and beauty. Romanticism also
stands for freedom and liberty, and therefore it is “Literalism in Literature.”

Rise of The Romanticism

Romantic Movement dates its origin in 1798 with the publication of Lyrical Ballads by
William Wordsworth and S. T. Coleridge. This movement in literature was preceded and
accompanied by the change in literary styles. It was partly a reaction to the Industrial Revolution
and also the social and political norms of England as well as Europe. The rise of the Romanticism
in English literature is somehow concerned with the Age of Enlightenment. The supreme Romantic
Movement in English literature was the Renaissance. It had brought about a transformation not only
in England but also in European life.

Characteristics of Romanticism

1) Contrast with Neo – Classicism

While talking about Neo – Classicism era, the Romantic era is totally opposed to it.
There is a great contrast between Neo – Classicism and Romanticism. The main difference between
neoclassicism and romanticism is that neoclassicism emphasized on objectivity, order, and restraint
whereas romanticism emphasized on imagination and emotion. The main thing in the poetry of
Romanticism is the break from the thralldom of rules and regulations. W. J. Long marks –

The Romantic Movement was marked by a strong reaction and protests against the bondage of rule
and custom which in literature, generally tend to fetter the free human spirit.
2) Love for Freedom
In Romantic Poetry, the emphasis was laid on liberty and freedom of the individual.
Romantic poets were rebels against tyranny and brutality exercised by tyrants and despots over
humans crushed by poverty and smashed by inhuman laws. English romanticism was an expression
of the desire for freedom from the restraining forces of reason and the assertion of the rights of
feeling and imagination. Thus, Freedom is the breath in which the Romantic poets breathed freely.

3) Supernaturalism
Supernaturalism is another outstanding quality of Romantic Poetry. Poets like Coleridge
and Scott gave a sense of wonder and mystery to poetry. It was this supernaturalism that gave the
atmosphere of wonder and mystery to the Romantic Poetry. Most of the romantic poets used
supernatural elements in their poetry. Samuel Taylor Coleridge is the leading romantic poet in this
regard, and "Kubla Khan" is full of supernatural elements.

4) Subjectivity
Subjectivity is another important feature of the Romantic poets. Subjective poetry is a
kind of poetry in which the poet goes into himself and finds his inspiration from his own
experiences, thoughts and feelings. Most of the Romantic poets are subject in this sense. For
example, Keats’s “Ode to the Nightingale” is basically based on personal matter. Subjectivity began
to have its full play in the poetry of this age as W. J. Long points out –

The Romantic Movement was the expression of individual genius rather than of the established
rules.

5) Variety of Moods
In Romantic Poetry, we come across an endless variety. The poetry of this age is as
varied as the character and moods of different writers. A noted remark of W. J. Long said that –

In the works of the best romanticists there is endless variety. To read them is like passing through a
new village, meeting a score of different human types, and finding in each one something to Love
or to remember.

6) Simplicity in Style
The style of the Romantic Poets is varied but the stress was laid on simplicity. Instead of an
artificial mode of expression of classical poets, we have a natural diction and spontaneous way of
expressing thoughts in Romantic Poetry. Romantic Poets believe in the simplicity in their style.
They followed the simplicity in their works. They not followed the artificial mode of the expression
of classical Poetry. They have express thoughts in natural Diction and spontaneity way.

7) Emotion and Imagination

In Romantic Poetry, reason and intellect were subdued and their place was taken by
imaginations, emotions and passion. In the poetry of all the Romantic Poets, we find heightened
emotional sensibilities and imaginative flights of genius bordering on heavenly heights uncrossed
by the poets of the previous age.

Authors of The Romantic Era

---> William Wordsworth, born in 1770 and died in 1850, is considered as the father of Romantic
Movement. In fact, the Romanticism in English literature began with his publication of Lyrical
Ballads with co – author and his friend S. T. Coleridge. He was also the Poet Laureate of England
from 1843 till his death in 1850.

---> Samuel Taylor Coleridge, born in 1772 and died in 1834, was another great poet of Romantic
Era. He was a good friend of William Wordsworth, and they two together published Lyrical Ballads
which marks the beginning of Romanticism. Coleridge contributed in Romantic Movement with his
two best poems The Rime of Ancient, Christabel and Kubla Khan.

---> John Keats, born in 1795 and died in 1821, was one of the prominent figures of the second
generation of English Romantic poets. However, his reputation grew after his death. His famous
works are Ode to Nightingale and When I Have Fears.

---> P. B. Shelley, born in 1792 and died in 1822, was an English poet and friend of John Keats who
contributed in English Romanticism along with John Keats. His great works of the time were Ode
to The West Wind and A Defense of Poetry.

---> William Blake, born in 1757 and died in 1827, was highly influential figures in the history of
Romantic era. His poetry often accompanied by fantastic imagery. Songs of Innocence and Songs of
Experience are the two great works of Blake.

Works of The Romantic Era

Lyrical Ballads, The Rime of Ancient, Christabel, Kubla Khan, Ode to Nightingale, When I
Have Fears, Ode to The West Wind, and Songs of Experience are some of the great works of the
Romanticism of Literature.

Conclusion
The Romantic period was one of major social, political and literary change in England.
Romanticism in literature concerned with the two bed – rock of emotions and imaginations. It
introduces the readers to a world of strangeness and beauty as Pater considers it as “The addition of
Strangeness in beauty.” Thus, the two most prominent elements of romanticism are curiosity and
beauty. Romanticism also stands for freedom and liberty, and therefore it is “Literalism in
Literature.”