Essay about The Romanticism Poets
Carl Sagan, an astronomer, planetary scientist, astrophysicist, once wrote, “Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were, but without it we go nowhere.” The period of Romanticism literature often touched up on creative freedom of interpretation, straying away from what was written during the Enlightenment period. They used nature and their spirit as an outlet to express their thoughts and emotions, letting their imagination run wild. Most poems, during this time, were loose interpretations of what the writers view of nature and spiritual truth.
The Romanticism poets used nature as an outlet to use their imagination to escape problems. In Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey, by Wordsworth, recounts when he visited the beautify Tintern Abbey, a great medieval church, five years ago. He often thinks about it, saying its beauty had a profound impact on him, that “In hours of weariness, sensations sweet; / And passing even into my purer mind, / With tranquil restoration:-feelings too / Of unremembered pleasure...:” (Wordsworth). When the city was too crowded or he felt the feeling of overwhelmingness, he thought of the beauty of nature at the Tintern Abbey. This allowed him to escape his reality and its problems, allowing him to reflect on the good time he had visiting there and the serenity it brought him. Later on, he expresses wanting to share this feeling with his sister that he had at the Tintern Abbey. He wants her not not dwell when he dies, but to feel a sense of calm and tranquility, that, “Thy voice, nor catch from thy wild eyes these gleams / Of past existence-wilt thou then forget / That on the banks of this delightful stream / We stood together…”(Wordsworth). He not only wants her to think of the Tintern Abbey as him, but all of nature. He wants her to have trust in nature as he had with it, so she can live a tranquil life, so he does not have to worry for her sadness once he passes. Another poem that explored this theme was Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, by Bryon, using the ocean in his imaginations. Bryon imagined the vast ocean, that, “Roll on, thou deep and dark blue ocean—Roll! / Ten thousand fleets sweep o’er thee in vain.” (Byron). This let him escape the tourture of and conformity of current day society, as he sought the sea as a lawless entity. Both poets' use of nature allowed them to imagine times where they were free.
The Romanticism poets used spiritual truth as an outlet to use their imagination to escape problems. In Ode to the West Wind, by Shelley, Shelley explains their view on how wind, in this case, is an all powerful force, like God. They exclaim their desire to be a leaf amongst the wind, like, “A wave to pant beneath thy power, and share / The impulse of thy strength only less free…” (Shelley). They imagine the wind and the leaf as a way to seek the power and freedom they currently do not have. To be like a tameless force compared to everyone. Shelley later elaborates, that he desires that that the wind, “Drive my dead thoughts over the universe.” (Shelley). They imagine that his views and knowledge will be spread. Maybe for recognition or just to have their views considered. They ask for it to not only be spread, but to be spread with respect, like a, “...trumpet of a prophecy!” (Shelley). Royals used to use trumpets when announcing important events or word, so in a similar way they want that to be the same. Shelley refers that it should be the “trumpet of prophecy” for all of man. Shelley’s use of spiritual truth provided aid to their problem of not having power and freedom.
During the era of Romanticism literature, poets used their imagination, through nature and spiritual truth, to seek relief from their current day problems. Though each poem varies based on each poet's views on nature, spiritual truth, and both, each is creative. They use their mind to solve their problems and/or inner struggles, bringing some relief to them.
