Romantic Poets: The Pre-cursors of Romanticism
During the last quarters of the 18th century, a reaction to classicism stared and some of the poets – James Thomson, Gray, Collins, Blake, Cowper, Leigh Hunt, Robert Burns, and Goldsmith - began to react covertly towards the poetry of this age. These poets adopted different attitude and temperament than the classicists who paved the way for the new movement, the new age called Romanticism. As a result, these poets were called the pre-cursors of Romanticism.
These romantic poets of this age tried to break the tradition of classicism and wanted to be more natural. The subject-matter of their poetry was different and they once again brought back the rural life at the centre. Moreover, they were interested in the mystery of life and nature. They did not like satire.
James Thomson (1700-1748)
Thomson’s “The Seasons (1726-1730)” –written in blank verse - is the marker of romantic movement. He belongs among the pioneers of Romanticism. In this poem, he describes nature with various seasons – Winter, Summer, Spring, and Autumn. The poet identifies his life with nature. This poem, therefore, anticipates the poetry of Wordsworth.
Thomas Gray (1716-1771)
Gray is famous for his “Elegy Written in the Country Churchyard”. This poem deals with the subject-matter of life and death. This poem shows sympathy for the poor and oppressed in general. There is a humanitarian approach in this poem which becomes one of the keynotes of romantic poetry. Gray, in this way, anticipates the poetry of Shelley in his attitude towards death.
William Collins (1721-1759)
Collins was the friend of Thomson. His first work, “Oriental Eclogues (1742)” is romantic in feeling. All his later works are romantic in thought and expression. His “Ode on the Popular Superstitions of the Highlands (1750)” is a special event in the romantic revival for it introduced a new world of fairies, witches, and medieval kings.
William Blake (1757-1827)
The mystic poet Blake anticipates the poetry of Shelly and Coleridge. His poetry is concerned with life, sin, and death. His poems “The Tiger” and “The Lamb” show the mystery of existence. “Songs of Innocence” and “Songs of Experience” reflects two diverse views of the human soul.
Robert Burns (1759-1796)
He is famous for his songs. For the subject-matter, he goes back to the middle ages – its glory, pageantry, and chivalry. In this respect, he anticipates Sir Walter Scott. His songs are based on romance. His love song, “A Red Red Rose” is quite popular. His other poems “The Twa Dogs”, “Address to the Deil”, and “Halloween” show the spirit of romantic revival.
These romantic poets of this age tried to break the tradition of classicism and wanted to be more natural. The subject-matter of their poetry was different and they once again brought back the rural life at the centre. Moreover, they were interested in the mystery of life and nature. They did not like satire.
James Thomson (1700-1748)
Thomson’s “The Seasons (1726-1730)” –written in blank verse - is the marker of romantic movement. He belongs among the pioneers of Romanticism. In this poem, he describes nature with various seasons – Winter, Summer, Spring, and Autumn. The poet identifies his life with nature. This poem, therefore, anticipates the poetry of Wordsworth.
Thomas Gray (1716-1771)
Gray is famous for his “Elegy Written in the Country Churchyard”. This poem deals with the subject-matter of life and death. This poem shows sympathy for the poor and oppressed in general. There is a humanitarian approach in this poem which becomes one of the keynotes of romantic poetry. Gray, in this way, anticipates the poetry of Shelley in his attitude towards death.
William Collins (1721-1759)
Collins was the friend of Thomson. His first work, “Oriental Eclogues (1742)” is romantic in feeling. All his later works are romantic in thought and expression. His “Ode on the Popular Superstitions of the Highlands (1750)” is a special event in the romantic revival for it introduced a new world of fairies, witches, and medieval kings.
William Blake (1757-1827)
The mystic poet Blake anticipates the poetry of Shelly and Coleridge. His poetry is concerned with life, sin, and death. His poems “The Tiger” and “The Lamb” show the mystery of existence. “Songs of Innocence” and “Songs of Experience” reflects two diverse views of the human soul.
Robert Burns (1759-1796)
He is famous for his songs. For the subject-matter, he goes back to the middle ages – its glory, pageantry, and chivalry. In this respect, he anticipates Sir Walter Scott. His songs are based on romance. His love song, “A Red Red Rose” is quite popular. His other poems “The Twa Dogs”, “Address to the Deil”, and “Halloween” show the spirit of romantic revival.
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