Exploring the Differences: A Comparative Study of the Romantic Age and the Victorian Age in English Literature

 The Romantic Age and the Victorian Age are two distinct periods in English literature, with unique characteristics and themes that set them apart. While both periods are known for their contributions to the literary world, they have several significant differences that make them worth exploring.

The Romantic Age, also known as the Romantic Era, was a literary movement that began in the late 18th century and lasted until the mid-19th century. The Romantic poets, such as William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, John Keats, and Percy Bysshe Shelley, wrote about nature, emotion, and individualism. They believed in the power of imagination and rejected the strictures of reason and formality that characterized the literature of the preceding age.

On the other hand, the Victorian Age, which lasted from 1837 to 1901, was a period of great social and economic change in England. The literature of this period reflected the values and beliefs of the society, with a strong emphasis on morality, religion, and social responsibility. The Victorian writers, such as Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and the Bronte sisters, wrote about the lives and struggles of the working class and the role of women in society. They also wrote about the importance of family, education, and respectability.

One of the key differences between the Romantic Age and the Victorian Age is their approach to emotion. The Romantic poets celebrated emotions, such as love, longing, and sorrow, as a natural and essential part of human experience. They believed that emotions could provide a deeper understanding of the world and inspire creativity. On the other hand, the Victorians believed that emotions should be controlled and regulated, and that excessive displays of emotion were inappropriate and even shameful.

Another important difference is the role of nature in literature. The Romantic poets saw nature as a source of inspiration and a symbol of the divine, while the Victorians saw it as a source of moral lessons and a reflection of human society. The Romantic poets wrote about the beauty and power of nature, while the Victorians wrote about the dangers and challenges of nature.

In conclusion, the Romantic Age and the Victorian Age are two distinct periods in English literature, with unique characteristics and themes that set them apart. The Romantic poets celebrated emotions and nature, while the Victorians emphasized morality, religion, and social responsibility. Both periods have made important contributions to the literary world and continue to be studied and admired today.

To Sum up, if you are interested in exploring the unique characteristics of romantic age and Victorian age, you can read the works of Romantic poets like William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, John Keats, and Percy Bysshe Shelley and Victorian writers like Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and the Bronte sisters.