winicat
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In what ways is Wordsworth a Romantic poet? What historical, cultural, social and personal values are reflected in the poems studied? ('A' range response)
The Romantic literature movement is said to have begun sometime between 1750 and 1770 and continued until 1848. The Romantic period is synonymous with intense, imaginative and naturalistic ideologies portrayed through both the literature and art worlds.
Social upheaval, industrialisation and the problems associated with the growth of cities was often rejected by Romantic composers. Alternative locations of preserved innocence and simplicity were favoured. Walking tours abroad were popular a number of such tours were undertaken by Wordsworth during his lifetime.
When looking at the historical events surrounding the Romantic period and its impact on the movement it is important to consider the French Revolution of 1789. This uprising introduced into many European societies the idea of freedom, humanism and equality as well as some political reform being demanded. The freedom brought forth by the French Revolution, as well as its equality, can be seen in Wordsworths Tintern Abbey. The freedom of Wordsworths younger self is likened to a roe (TA line 67). He freely engages with nature using glad animal movements (TA line 74). Though Wordsworth points out to his responder that his aching (TA line 84) joy and dizzy (TA line 85) pleasures were thoughtless (TA line 90), he still allows the freedom of youth he had obtained to flow into his mature self, reflecting the unrestrained freedom brought about by the French Revolution.
The concept of equality, especially in nature, can also be seen in Tintern Abbey. Knowing that Nature never did betray/The heart that loved her (TA line 121 122) Wordsworth shares his past freedoms with his sister giving the impression that nature is for everyone young or old, male or female.
Religious cultural values are one of the main ideas behind Romanticism. Wordsworths seemingly pantheistic beliefs are visible throughout his works. Beauteous Evening shows evidence that God, the mighty being (BE line 6), is present within the landscape. The time and place are described as holy (BE line 2) and likened to a Nun/Breathless with adoration (BE line 2 3). God is shown as being with thee when we know it not (BE line 14). The pantheistic inspired images described differ from the conservative Christian beliefs where nature and forces of the universe do not equate with God but are merely his creations.
Wordsworths use of incidents and situations from common life [and] language really used by men was criticised by society for containing lowly subject matter and for being associated with ordinary people including convicts, native peoples, and families. What must be noted is that the social hierarchy of Wordsworths time was much more rigid than ours, and so gentlemen would never be expected to interact with low and rustic life too closely. But in 1798, even inserting such characters and their stories into the high art form of poetry was quite new. This rustic life is dealt with during Wordsworths The Solitary Reaper where the agricultural activities being undertaken by the girl in the fieldReaping and singing by herself (SR line 1/3)are transported into the minds and hearts of the gentlemen who were the supposed responders to Wordsworths poetry.
Another component contained in Wordsworths poetry is the empowerment and high status given to children and their innocence which was generally repressed within society. In Beauteous Evening Wordsworth praises the child that walkest with me there (BE line 9) for appearing untouched by solemn thought (BE line 10). Through this Wordsworth enforces the Romantic belief that joy and innocence is the state to which man is born.
Both a personal value of Wordsworth himself and that apparent with many other Romantic composers, nature is favoured over the din/Of towns and cities (TA line 26 27). The pleasures and benefits to be found in nature are clearly displayed by Wordsworths Tintern Abbey. Time spent in the city has Almost suspended (TA line 45) both the composer and the responder. They are laid asleep/In body, and become a living soul (TA line 45 46) again when they re-enter nature. In stating that whilst surrounded by nature we see into the life of things (TA line 48), Wordsworth shows the responder that the unravelling of mysteries and spirituality can be aided by interaction with nature.
Through the emphasis on nature and the incorporation of the elements of freedom, equality, religion and the use of lowly subject matter Wordsworth is portrayed as a Romantic poet in regards to the historical, cultural, social and personal values reflected in his works.
The Romantic literature movement is said to have begun sometime between 1750 and 1770 and continued until 1848. The Romantic period is synonymous with intense, imaginative and naturalistic ideologies portrayed through both the literature and art worlds.
Social upheaval, industrialisation and the problems associated with the growth of cities was often rejected by Romantic composers. Alternative locations of preserved innocence and simplicity were favoured. Walking tours abroad were popular a number of such tours were undertaken by Wordsworth during his lifetime.
When looking at the historical events surrounding the Romantic period and its impact on the movement it is important to consider the French Revolution of 1789. This uprising introduced into many European societies the idea of freedom, humanism and equality as well as some political reform being demanded. The freedom brought forth by the French Revolution, as well as its equality, can be seen in Wordsworths Tintern Abbey. The freedom of Wordsworths younger self is likened to a roe (TA line 67). He freely engages with nature using glad animal movements (TA line 74). Though Wordsworth points out to his responder that his aching (TA line 84) joy and dizzy (TA line 85) pleasures were thoughtless (TA line 90), he still allows the freedom of youth he had obtained to flow into his mature self, reflecting the unrestrained freedom brought about by the French Revolution.
The concept of equality, especially in nature, can also be seen in Tintern Abbey. Knowing that Nature never did betray/The heart that loved her (TA line 121 122) Wordsworth shares his past freedoms with his sister giving the impression that nature is for everyone young or old, male or female.
Religious cultural values are one of the main ideas behind Romanticism. Wordsworths seemingly pantheistic beliefs are visible throughout his works. Beauteous Evening shows evidence that God, the mighty being (BE line 6), is present within the landscape. The time and place are described as holy (BE line 2) and likened to a Nun/Breathless with adoration (BE line 2 3). God is shown as being with thee when we know it not (BE line 14). The pantheistic inspired images described differ from the conservative Christian beliefs where nature and forces of the universe do not equate with God but are merely his creations.
Wordsworths use of incidents and situations from common life [and] language really used by men was criticised by society for containing lowly subject matter and for being associated with ordinary people including convicts, native peoples, and families. What must be noted is that the social hierarchy of Wordsworths time was much more rigid than ours, and so gentlemen would never be expected to interact with low and rustic life too closely. But in 1798, even inserting such characters and their stories into the high art form of poetry was quite new. This rustic life is dealt with during Wordsworths The Solitary Reaper where the agricultural activities being undertaken by the girl in the fieldReaping and singing by herself (SR line 1/3)are transported into the minds and hearts of the gentlemen who were the supposed responders to Wordsworths poetry.
Another component contained in Wordsworths poetry is the empowerment and high status given to children and their innocence which was generally repressed within society. In Beauteous Evening Wordsworth praises the child that walkest with me there (BE line 9) for appearing untouched by solemn thought (BE line 10). Through this Wordsworth enforces the Romantic belief that joy and innocence is the state to which man is born.
Both a personal value of Wordsworth himself and that apparent with many other Romantic composers, nature is favoured over the din/Of towns and cities (TA line 26 27). The pleasures and benefits to be found in nature are clearly displayed by Wordsworths Tintern Abbey. Time spent in the city has Almost suspended (TA line 45) both the composer and the responder. They are laid asleep/In body, and become a living soul (TA line 45 46) again when they re-enter nature. In stating that whilst surrounded by nature we see into the life of things (TA line 48), Wordsworth shows the responder that the unravelling of mysteries and spirituality can be aided by interaction with nature.
Through the emphasis on nature and the incorporation of the elements of freedom, equality, religion and the use of lowly subject matter Wordsworth is portrayed as a Romantic poet in regards to the historical, cultural, social and personal values reflected in his works.