THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ROMANTIC REVIVAL

 THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ROMANTIC REVIVAL

 

Introduction

The Romantic Revival began in the late 18th century as a reaction against the rigid structure and reason-based literature of the earlier neoclassical period. Writers of the Romantic age turned to emotion, imagination, nature, and individual freedom. They believed literature should come from the heart and soul. William J. Long calls this shift a "revival" because it returned to deep human feeling and truth after the cold logic of the Augustan age.

 

Emphasis on Emotion and Imagination

The most important feature of Romantic literature is its emotional depth. Romantic writers gave more importance to feelings than to reason. Emotions like love, fear, joy, sadness, and awe were openly expressed. Imagination also took a central role. Poets like William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge believed that imagination was the key to understanding life and nature. They did not follow strict forms or rules. Instead, they used poetic freedom to explore deep emotional truths.

 

Love for Nature

Romantic writers had a deep connection with nature. They believed that nature could teach, heal, and inspire. Nature was not just a background setting, but a living spirit. Wordsworth saw nature as a guide and friend. In his poems, hills, rivers, trees, and skies speak to the soul. The Romantics often went to nature for peace and comfort, especially during times of personal pain or confusion. Nature was seen as pure and beautiful, in contrast to the dirty, growing cities of the Industrial Revolution.

 

Focus on the Individual and Subjectivity

Another major trait of the Romantic Revival was the focus on the individual. The Romantics believed that every person was unique. They respected personal experience and inner truth. The "I" voice became strong in poems and stories. Writers celebrated their thoughts, memories, dreams, and feelings. This shift created a more personal and reflective kind of literature. It also led to new forms like the lyric poem, which focuses on the poet’s own emotions.

 

Interest in the Supernatural and the Mysterious

Romantic writers often explored the world of dreams, myths, and the supernatural. Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is filled with magical events, spirits, and unnatural happenings. Romantic literature often blurred the line between real and unreal. Writers felt drawn to the mysterious and the unknown. This interest came from their belief that human experience is larger than reason can explain. Ghosts, ancient curses, and wild visions were common themes.

 

Glorification of the Past and Medievalism

Romanticism also revived interest in the distant past. The Middle Ages especially captured their imagination. Writers admired the mystery, heroism, and beauty of medieval life. They used stories of knights, castles, legends, and folk traditions in their works. Sir Walter Scott's historical novels are full of such themes. This return to the past was not just historical; it was emotional. The Romantics felt that older times were more honest and noble than their own fast-changing world.

 

Rebellion against Tradition and Social Order

The Romantic age was a time of revolution in thought and politics. Many Romantic writers were inspired by the French Revolution. They supported freedom, equality, and the rights of man. Romantics challenged traditional norms, including class, religion, and monarchy. They wrote in simple language for common people. Poets like Shelley and Byron used their works to attack tyranny and social injustice. This rebellious spirit gave Romanticism its fire and power.

 

Simplicity and Natural Language

Unlike the earlier writers who used formal and complex language, the Romantics preferred natural, everyday speech. Wordsworth famously said that poetry should be written in “the real language of men.” He believed that true poetry comes from deep feelings and should speak directly to the heart. This made Romantic literature more emotional, more relatable, and more open to all readers. Simplicity became a strength, not a weakness.

 

Celebration of the Common Man

Romantic writers respected the lives and experiences of ordinary people. They believed that beauty and truth could be found in the simple joys and struggles of everyday life. Farmers, shepherds, beggars, and workers appear in Romantic poems. Wordsworth wrote about village children, old countrywomen, and rustic scenes. This democratic view of life was a clear move away from the earlier focus on kings, nobles, and classical heroes.

 

Emphasis on Freedom and Creative Expression

For the Romantics, freedom was essential—not just political freedom, but creative and spiritual freedom. They believed that each person must express their own truth without fear. They rejected rules about how to write poetry or what topics to choose. As a result, Romantic literature is full of diversity in style, theme, and tone. Some poets used long narratives. Others preferred short lyrics. Some were serious; others playful. This variety shows the freedom they cherished.

 

Deep Interest in Childhood and Innocence

Romantic literature often explored the world of childhood. Children were seen as pure and close to nature. Wordsworth’s idea that “the child is father of the man” shows this belief. Childhood was not just a phase of life—it was a symbol of truth, freedom, and natural wisdom. Many Romantic poems recall memories of early life or express longing for lost innocence. This sensitivity added freshness and softness to their writing.

 

Conclusion

The Romantic Revival changed the path of English literature. It brought back emotion, imagination, and beauty. It gave a voice to nature, common people, and the inner self. It opened the door to new themes and bold ideas. As William J. Long explains, Romanticism was not just a movement—it was a rebirth of the heart and soul of literature. Its influence can still be felt in modern poetry, fiction, and art.

 

REFERENCE:

Long, William J. English Literature: Its History and Its Significance for the

English-Speaking World. Anboco, 2016.

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