Romanticism

Romanticism in literature is a period that lasted from the late 18th century to mid- 19th century; however its influence persists until now. Romanticism was brought about by the Industrial Revolution, the French Revolution, and the social and economic changes across Europe as noted by Casaliggi and Fermanis. This literary movement placed a significant emphasis on the individual, prioritizing individual emotions over rationality and nurturing an appreciation for nature (Britannica).

The British Romantic Sublime is a term typical for Romanticist literature, which encompasses an experience that is beyond the measurable and beyond any rational thoughts. This feeling can be evoked by a specific setting, such as lakes, mountains, and others. Some examples could be found in William Wordsworth’s “The Prelude” or Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”. (Potkay)

Some of the most prominent authors of the Romanticist period include William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Robert Southey (Britannica).

William Wordsworth

William Wordsworth is recognized as the founder of English Romanticism, known for exploring the topic of human connection with nature in his poems (Poetry Foundation). Also, he was a part of the Lake Poet Movement, together with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Robert Southey (Britannica).

Wordsworth most famous works are “The Prelude” or his poems, such as “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” (https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45521/i-wandered-lonely-as-a-cloud)

Percy Bysshe Shelley

“The life and works of Percy Bysshe Shelley exemplify English Romanticism in both its extremes of joyous ecstasy and brooding despair. (“Poetry Foundation”). Percy Bysshe Shelley made a significant impact on the literary world with his work that challenged the society and presented radical ideas.

Some examples of his works are “Prometheus Unbound”, a lyrical drama which is considered to be his best work, or “Ozymandias”.

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Mary Shelley, who was also the wife of Percy Byshhe Shelley, was a Romanticist author best known for the novel “Frankenstein”, which prominently features the concept of sublime. In addition to her renowned novel “Frankenstein”, she authored another novel “Mathilda” and published the work of her late husband. (Kuiper)

Works Cited:

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Lake poet". Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Mar. 2019, www.britannica.com/topic/Lake-poet. Accessed 8 September 2023.

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Romanticism". Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Aug. 2023, www.britannica.com/art/Romanticism. Accessed 8 September 2023.

“William Wordsworth”. Poetry Foundation.www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/william-wordsworth . Accessed: 19 Sep 2023.

Kuiper, Kathleen. "Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley". Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mary-Wollstonecraft-Shelley. Accessed 8 September 2023.

Casaliggi, Carmen, and Porscha Fermanis. Romanticism: A Literary and Cultural History. Routledge, 2016.

Potkay, Adam. “The British Romantic Sublime.” The Sublime: From Antiquity to the Present, edited by Timothy M. Costelloe, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2012, pp. 203–216.

Markéta Volfová

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