French Revolution's Impact on Britain

A period of social and political unrest in Britain following Napoleon's defeat, which also saw widespread economic depression. This unrest led to a stark divide between the upper and lower classes.

A massacre that took place in Manchester, England, in 1819 where government troops violently dispersed a peaceful gathering of workers demanding social and political reforms. This event became a symbol of the government's repression of working-class demands.

A political philosophy that advocates for minimal government intervention in the economy. This approach emphasized free markets and individual liberty, often leading to a hands-off approach by the government.

The sharp socioeconomic division that existed in Britain during the early 19th century, where the wealthy aristocracy enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle while the working class faced extreme poverty and hardship. This gap contributed to social unrest and dissent.

A poem by William Wordsworth reflecting on the initial optimism about the French Revolution, later turning into disappointment and disillusionment as the revolution turned violent and oppressive.

A feeling of uncertainty or conflicting emotions, often experienced towards something that is both positive and negative. This sentiment was felt by many liberal thinkers during the conflicts between England and France.

The Romantic period was a time of intense change and conflict. It saw the rise of new ideas and art forms, challenging traditional forms of expression. This period is significant as it addressed many of the fundamental conflicts we grapple with today.

Romanticism challenged the rigidity of Augustan poetry and embraced personal expression and visionary language. It prioritized individual freedom and the power of feelings over strict rules and structure.

William Blake rejected the strict rules of 18th-century poetry, preferring a more lyrical and visionary style. His work often explored the idea of opposites, believing that conflict drives progress.

For Blake, symbols in his poetry carried specific meanings. Innocence often represented by children, flowers, lambs, or spring.

Blake saw the world in terms of opposing forces, believing that conflict was essential for progress. He saw tension between tradition and change as a positive driving force.

The Romantic period, despite being a long time ago, continues to resonate with us today. Many of the issues it explored—freedom, equality, identity— are still relevant in our own time.

A type of poetry that emphasizes ordinary life and the impact of memory on the present.

A type of poetry that often explores the mysterious, supernatural, and extraordinary world.

A poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge where a mariner shoots an albatross and faces a series of punishments.

The mariner's inability to drink water in "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" represents a lack of spiritual nourishment.

The mariner's ship, unable to move, symbolizes a soul trapped in sin.

"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" concludes with the message that loving all living things is a way to connect with God.

The experience of the mariner changes him from innocent to wise and sorrowful.

The Romantic period in English literature (1789-1832) is known for its focus on emotion, imagination, and individualism.

A view of society emphasizing liberty and individual rights, often supporting progressive causes.

A prominent figure of the Romantic period, famous for his emotional and adventurous poetry, and for his involvement in political and social causes.

A prolific Romantic writer known for ballads and historical works, often criticized by his peers for his changing political views and literary choices.

A concept that signifies the struggle to find purpose and meaning through acts of bravery and self-sacrifice.

A significant female voice in the Romantic period, her work advocating for the rights and dignity of women challenged traditional societal norms.

An oversimplification that overlooks the significant contributions of female writers during the Romantic period.

A pre-Romantic writer who challenged the norms of her time, leaving a lasting impact on the literature that followed.

The belief that beauty and truth are inseparable and interconnected, with both existing in a state of harmony and representing the essence of human experience.

Keats's concept that art, through its ability to capture and immortalize the human experience, allows us to see the true essence of existence.

John Keats, a renowned Romantic poet, died at a young age and his poetry often reflected a sense of melancholy and yearning for immortality. His short life and poetic genius made him a symbol of the Romantic movement's sensitivity and idealism.

Shelley's poetry often explored social and political themes, advocating for freedom and challenging traditional authority.

A key theme in Romantic literature, emphasizing the significance of individual experiences, emotions, and imagination.

Shelley's poem "Ozymandias" depicts the ruins of a powerful statue, highlighting the transient nature of power and the inevitable decay of empires.

The Romantic period emphasized subjective feelings and emotional responses to the world, challenging the rationality-focused Enlightenment era.

The Romantic period was characterized by a focus on individual expression, imaginative language, and a rejection of strict adherence to classical rules.

Wordsworth's argument in the Preface to Lyrical Ballads that poetry should use language closer to everyday speech, rejecting overly formal and elitist poetic diction.

The style of writing used by poets like Milton, characterized by elevated language, classical references, and a formal tone.

The idea that poetry should reflect the language of 'a man speaking to men', not artificial or overly refined language.

A poem, a major work by Wordsworth, that explores his personal journey and includes themes of nature, memory, and the passage of time.

The period in English literature from roughly the late 18th century to the mid-19th century, known for its emphasis on emotion, imagination, and the power of nature.

The intention of Romantic poets like Wordsworth and Coleridge to purify and renew the language of poetry, freeing it from artificial constraints.

A contrasting concept to the Romantic's use of everyday language; Dryden and Pope aimed for renewal using elegant and refined style, while Eliot sought renewal through modern techniques.

This refers to Wordsworth's argument that poetry should be accessible to everyone, not just a select elite.