38 Questions
What was the period of time during which Victorian literature was produced?
1837-1901
What were the two main groups of poetry during the Victorian era?
High Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite
What movement did Victorian poetry provide a link to?
The Modernist Movement
What was the Victorian era associated with?
An era of ideological conflict
What influenced the literary ideals and attitudes of Victorian writers?
Social thoughts of the age
Who was a prominent poet of the Victorian era?
Alfred Tennyson
What was a characteristic of Victorian poetry?
It was dominated by the social thoughts of the age
Who was another prominent poet of the Victorian era?
Dante Gabriel Rossetti
What did the Victorians use to describe abstract scenes of chaos between Religion and Science?
Sensory devices
What did the Victorian poets write about to give way to deeper imaginations?
Artistic creations
Which form of poetry became popular in the Victorian Era?
Dramatic Monologue
Which poet popularized the dramatic monologue in most of his works?
Robert Browning
In which year were Robert Browning's 'Dramatic Lyrics' published?
1842
What is the Victorian poetry a direct outcome of?
The socio-economic and political activities of the time
What was the year of Queen Victoria's accession to the throne?
1837
What was the main aim of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in 1848?
To return painting to a style of truthfulness, simplicity, and religious devotion
What is a common theme in Victorian literature?
The impact of the Industrial Revolution
What was the phrase that emerged from the Aestheticism and Decadence movement?
Art for Art's Sake
What is a characteristic of the High Victorian period?
It was early in the Victorian Period
What was the main characteristic of Victorian Poetry in terms of nature?
It was less idealized and more realistic
Which of the following authors is NOT associated with the Victorian era?
Jane Austen
What was the focus of Romantic Poetry?
Rural and rustic life
What is the approximate year that divides the Victorian era into early and late periods?
1870
What was the attitude of the Victorians towards reality?
They were quite realistic and concerned about the reality
What is a characteristic of the Pre-Raphaelite movement?
It was marked by a focus on mythology and mystery
Who was a well-known author of the English Aestheticism and Decadence movement?
Oscar Wilde
What is the name of the movement that emerged in the late Victorian period?
Aestheticism and Decadence
What was the tone of the Victorian Poetry?
Pessimistic and realistic
What is a common theme shared by Victorian poetry and the preceding era?
Questioning the established rule of the church
What was the main difference between the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and the Aestheticism and Decadence movement?
The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood was more focused on morality, while the Aestheticism and Decadence movement was more focused on art for art's sake
What was the result of the industrial revolution and advancement in science and technology on city population?
A drastic increase in population
What did Victorian poets believe science and technology could do for humans?
Find all solutions to human problems and sufferings
What was the attitude of the people towards God during the Victorian era?
Skepticism and questioning of God
How did Victorian poets respond to the social problems of industrialization?
By taking responsibility and giving voice to the commoners
What was the role of Victorian poets in terms of morality?
They tried to retain morality by encouraging honesty and nobility
What kind of literature did the Victorians show great favour towards?
Medieval literature and myths
What was a characteristic of the poetry of the preceding era?
It used imagery vividly
What did the Victorian poets question during the Victorian era?
The existence of God
Study Notes
Victorian Poetry
- Victorian literature was produced during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901)
- During this era, England was undergoing significant cultural upheaval, with radical changes in literature, art, and music
Characteristics of Victorian Poetry
- Realism: Victorian poetry was more realistic and less idealized compared to Romantic poetry
- Focus on Masses: Victorian poets focused on urban life and wrote about the masses and for the masses
- Pessimism: Victorian poetry had a note of pessimism due to the industrial revolution, urbanization, and social issues
- Science and Technology: Victorian poets welcomed advancements in science and technology, believing they could solve human problems
- Questioning God: Victorian poetry often questioned religious institutions and morality due to empirical science, rationalism, and radicalism
- Sense of Responsibility: Victorian poets took social responsibility and gave voice to the commoners, unlike Romantics who sought to escape urban life
- Morality: Despite a decline in morality, Victorian poets encouraged honesty and nobility
- Interest in Medieval Myths & Folklore: Victorian poets were fascinated by medieval literature, myths, and folklore
- Use of Sensory Devices & Imagery: Victorian poets used sensory devices to describe abstract scenes, especially in the context of the conflict between religion and science
- Sentimentality: Victorian poets wrote about artistic creations, exploring deeper imaginations
- Humour: Victorian poets wrote humorous and whimsical verses, such as "Bad Ballads"
- Development of Dramatic Monologue: Victorian poets popularized the dramatic monologue, especially in the works of Alfred Tennyson, Matthew Arnold, and Robert Browning
Schools of Victorian Poetry
- The High Victorian (Early)
- The Pre-Raphaelites (1848-1860)
- Aestheticism and Decadence (Late Victorian, 1880-1900)
Notable Poets of the Victorian Era
- Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892)
- Robert Browning (1812-1889)
- Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
- Matthew Arnold (1822-1888)
- Arthur Hugh Clough (1819-1861)
- Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882)
- William Morris (1834-1896)
- Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830-1894)
- Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837-1909)
- Coventry Kersey Dighton Patmore (1823-1896)
Explore the characteristics of Victorian poetry, including its realism, focus on urban life, and pessimistic tone, which emerged during Queen Victoria's reign in England.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
