英国文学史第八讲：Romanticism.pptVIP

ROMANTICISM Sentimentalism 1st half of 18th century:  poetry / novel：led by Pope style：classicism heroic couplet content：confined to clubs, drawing- rooms, social and political life of London purpose：to entertain and educate the middle class defect：no message for the laboring people. Mid-18th century : *Sentimentalism gradually appeared as a result of a bitter discontent among the enlightened people with social reality. * continued to struggle against feudalism, at the same time they sensed the contradictions in the process of capitalist development. Dissatisfied with reason, appealed to “sentiment”, to “ the human heart”. Style: classical heroic coupletContent: countryside, the poverty- stricken peasants Purpose: sincere sympathy. Latter half of 18th century : Romantic Revival ( Pre-Romanticism)  Pre-Romanticism 2nd half of 18th century: a new literary movement arising in Europe, the Romantic Revival / Pre-Romanticism in England . Features : 1. strong protest against the bondage of classicism; 2. claiming passion and emotions; 3. renewed interest in medieval literature. Representatives: William Blake (1757-1827);  Robert Burns (1759-1796) William Blake (1757-1827) Life Works Appreciation of his works Blake’s position in English literature Blake’s Time Line son of a London hosier; never went to school; at 14, apprenticed to an engraver; then, making a living as an engraver; in 1782, married Catherine Boucher, illiterate in 1793, began to write poems; at late age, gave up poetry, turned to painting and engraving; in 1809, put on a one-man exhibition in 1827, died in obscurity and poverty Blake’s Works Poetical Sketches 1783 Style: trying Spenserian stanza, Shakespearean and Miltonic blank verse, ballad form and lyric