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.

Critical Note S.T. Coleridge as a Romantic poet

 Samuel Taylor Coleridge was one of the most influential British Romantic poets of all time. He wrote a countless number of classic poems and works that are still widely deemed important to this day, making him an exemplary model for other contemporary writers.

Coleridge’s unique writing style set him apart from others in his own time period; he had a penchant for incorporating elements native only to outlying countries such as exotic mythology, foreign philosophy and literature—all aspects which deviated from traditional protocols at the time . His language too has been described be modern critics alternatively fluid yet highly descriptive, mesmerizing readers with flowery romanticism rather than technicality and formality commonly associated poetry during the age.. This eschewing of convention is perhaps what motivates so many people today to continue exploring The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner despite its ancient roots: it legitimately paints imagery within our minds beyond simply being read off paper or memorized verbatim like much older literary texts before it.

From human fear & grief we sense envy his dedication even when creating lyrical ballads on foolish wagers given by carefree friends – often reflecting biblical plagues as metaphors while using nature & folktales justly picked up through untrained eyes open wide! While these present who he sublimely was highlights humble themes folks may face similarily now-a -days whether incarcerated swordsmen laments or rising dead raptures pleasing listeners each way In many respects his timelessness does preserve those memories sent… Whilst imagination moves ours quite more profoundly shared piers drown us nigh held firmly past eternity's threshold defiant throughout universe far flung----much due Colridge expressing tyrants masterful courage along fatefully life swells soaring largely Even middle ages differently designed gardens musically sung grow outright secrets penned supremely roars blending fragile edge between brave kings Divine Right even distant heavens' magical hides featuring glorious insight unseen any watchful eye ever discovered lost odes sealed long ago await awaited seekers come hereafter seize leading times cheery waves anew offers diverse ultimate panoramas fully defying pallid written histories reigned near certain collapsing tunnels universal gleaners tap knowledge deep greater reasons they stand why remarkable poet ST Colridge striding diffently deserved memorial kept alive centuries later here---Eyes truly flooding gentle tears upon recollecting every Epic story heard grown very tall indeed hintetnally Never forgotten sir Samuel blesses beloved rhapsodies chosen remain instant Classical Favorites absolute best Moments singing standing ovation thunderclapping grandeur lasting effect though…… That Gentleman shall legacy live always daily masterpiece sublime elegance sustained finds breathtaking lovers adore well done English romantics everywhere i weep fond fans seek living spirit beseechings pass….

Note on William Wordsworth as a Romantic Critic in English literature

  William Wordsworth, a prominent figure in the Romantic movement, was also a noted literary critic. He believed that poetry should be simple and express the emotions and thoughts of common people. He rejected the highly structured and artificial forms of poetry popular in his time, and instead championed a style that was natural and based on personal experience.

In his famous work, "Preface to Lyrical Ballads" (1798), Wordsworth laid out his literary philosophy. He argued that poetry should be written in the language of the common man, rather than in the elevated and artificial language of the poets of his time. This emphasis on simplicity and naturalness was a key aspect of Wordsworth's romanticism. He believed that poetry should be a reflection of the natural world and the emotions of the individual.

Wordsworth also believed that poetry should be rooted in personal experience. He believed that a poet should draw on their own emotions and observations, rather than trying to imitate the work of others. This emphasis on originality and authenticity was another key aspect of Wordsworth's romanticism.

In addition to his literary philosophy, Wordsworth was also a noted critic of the literary establishment of his time. He rejected the neoclassical conventions of his time and instead championed a more natural and emotional style of poetry. This critique of the literary establishment was another important aspect of Wordsworth's romanticism.

In conclusion, William Wordsworth was a prominent literary figure of the Romantic movement and his work as a poet and critic had a significant influence on the literary world of his time. His emphasis on simplicity, naturalness, originality, and authenticity, as well as his critique of the literary establishment, were all key aspects of his romanticism.

Introduction to Lucy Poems by Wordsworth and Analysis of SHE DWELT AMONG THE UNTRODDEN WAYS

 Introduction to Lucy Poems by Wordsworth and Analysis of SHE DWELT AMONG THE UNTRODDEN WAYS

Introduction on Lucy Poems

The five short poems known as 'lucy poems' were written by Wordsworth during his brief stay in

Germany or shortly thereafter. "Three years she grew in sun and shower" was composed in the

Hartz Forest in 1798."A slumber did my spirit seal" was also written in Germany sometime in

1798 it was this poem which Wordsworth sent to Coleridge and Coleridge remarked on this

poem--"some months ago Wordsworth transmitted to me a most sublime epitaph".

The sequence of Lucy poem according to the the date of composition

1. Strange fits of passion I have known. 2. She dwelt among the untrodden ways. 3. Three years she grew in the sun and shower. 4. A slumber did my spirit seal. 5. I travelled among unknown men.

Who is lucy

The real identity of Lucy has never been unraveled in Lucy series. Lucy may or may not

be based off a real life inspiration. No body knows who Lucy was. Although there has

been controversy among many critics that Dorothy maybe Lucy or perhaps his wife, Mary but it seems more probable to us that Lucy is just a product of his poetic

imagination , she is likely a fictional, idealised English girl, a literary device used to

convey his themes of Lucy poems. She is fantasy and dream, an imagined ideal who

cannot exit in the real world. The name 'Lucy' works as poetic muse to Wordsworth's Lucy series.

                              She dwelt among the untrodden ways

This poem was a three stanza poem written by English romantic port

William Wordsworth in 1798 when he was 28 years old. The verse was first

printed in Lyrical Ballads, in 1800. It was described about women feelings

of loneliness and loss, and describe the beauty and dignity of an idealised

women who lived unnoticed by all others. She dwelt among the untrodden ways --> Line 1 a

 She-->Lucy, Lucy lived such a place which is never visited by

someone. Untrodden means untouched and that signifies Lucy is

virgin, no body touched her.

Beside the spring of dove--> line 2 b

 Springs-->origin, Lucy lived decide the prince of dove or hear the place

in the English countryside (Specifically, the Midlands, a rural area

south of Manchester) where the Dove river rises from the earth and

begins its flow. 

A maid whome there were none to praise--> line 3 a

A maid is an an unmarried woman. It also means that woman is a a virgin, youth and innocent. The poet laments for Lucy because she is living

unvisited place, there were none to praise her.

 And very few to love -- line 4 (V.V.I) b

Lucy is practically ignored by others. No one praised her and hardly

anyone loved her. But the "very few" implies that the poet or the speaker

was one of those few. It also denotes that Lucy was loving one to the

speaker, poet. 

A Violet by a mossy stone -->line 5 (V.V.I) c

The word 'violet' in that line is comparison between Lucy and violet. A

'violet' is a beautiful flower and when compared to Lucy, and

automatically it described that her beauty was blocked by moss or by the

luck of freedom to show hard beauties. 

Half hidden from the eye! -->line 6 d

The word half hidden means that Lucy was unexplored women. Because

no one was interested in her. She was unnoticed, untouched, and

overlooked. However, not just in a a physical sense but also in an

emotional one as well. Lucy was depressed in herself because of that.

Fair as star, when only one -->line 7 c

Is shining in the sky-->line 8(V.V.I) d

Her fairness looks like a star, here the poet apparently denotes that he

used the word 'star' as a smile, which is actually "Venus" . Because we

know Venus appears and shines in the sky alone. And we also know

Venus is the brightest star in the sky. And Venus is compared to Lucy's

fairness.

She lived unknown, and few could know--> line 9 e

When Lucy ceased to be ; line 10 f

Line 9--> begins with the phrase "she lived unknown" that simply repeated

the message to the readers deepen the speaker's portrait of Lucy as a

young woman who lived alone and unappreciated. Ceased to be-->died, Lucy " lived unknown" and the reason the speaker says there is few had the

capacity to know the news about Lucy's death, hardly anyone knew the

news "few could know" the speaker was one of those few. Poet used

"ceased to be" to avoid painful language.

But she is in her grave, and, oh --> line 11e

The difference to me! -->line 12 (V.V.I) f

In the poem's final line, keeping aside all hesitations from the reader's

mind, the poet firmly acknowledges Lucy's death by using the line "she is

in her grave". The effect of Lucy's death is different one to the poet

because Lucy was the loving one to him here the employment of the

exclamation at the end of poem the signifies the melancholy of the poet's

heart. (Whereas line 10 evades the fact of lucy's death the poet used "ceased to

be" to avoid death's painful languages but line11 acknowledges it firmly

"she is in her grave".)

                    Figure of speech from the poem

"She dwelt among the untrodden ways" 1. "Beside the spring of Dove" (Allusion)

2. A violet by a mossy stone (Metaphor

Explanation--> here Lucy is compared to a violet flower and also

Lucy compared to a mossy stone. 3. Fair as a star (smile)

4. Fair as a star, when only one is shining in the sky (Allusion)

Explanation-->this line implicitly refers to "Venus" , the Roman

goddess of love, beauty, fertility and sex. 5. She lived unknown and few could know (Polyptoton)

Geofreey Chaucer - Father of English poetry and his Canterbury tales

  Geofreey Chaucer 1340-1400)


Poet, the son of John Chaucer, a London wine merchant, is better known as Father of English poetry. There are uncertain details about his life and his age covers the period from
1340 to 1400. As a youth, he was a page in the Royal household. He held various diplomatic
and civil posts, and in king’s service, he travelled abroad on numerous diplomatic missions.
He got married with Philippa Roet, a sister of John of Gaunt’s third wife due to which he
became a powerful man and also enjoyed royal favors. Visited Italy and made his first
acquaintance with Italian literature and may have met Petrarch and Boccaccio, the two
greatest living Italian men of letters along with Dante who influenced a lot on the growth of
Chaucer’s work. His last official position was that of deputy forester in the King’s Forest at
North Petherton in Somerset. He was buried at the entrance to the Chapel of St Benedict in
Westminster Abbey, where a monument was erected to him in 1556: this was the origin of
Poet’s Corner.
Chaucer's Style: In the Tales Chaucer abandons the English irregular lines of alliterative
verse – "rim, ram, roff" as he calls it and adopts the French method of regular meter.
Under his influence rhyme gradually displaced alliteration in English poetry & his style is
narrative. He used the ten syllabic lines rhyming in couplet – called the Heroic couplet
which was perfected by Pope. "The Canterbury Tales" is Chaucer’s magnificent
unfinished opus in which he finally drew the various strands of his genius together.
However, Chaucer’s humor, satire, irony are all pervasive in this work.
To William Caxton, England's first printer, Geoffrey Chaucer was "the worshipful
father and first founder and embellisher of ornate eloquence in our English." Perceptive as
this accolade was in its time, today Chaucer is acclaimed not only as "the father of English
poetry" but also as the father of the modern short story and novel— in short, as the father of
English literature. In addition, we are indebted to him for the most vivid contemporary
description of fourteenth-century England.
A man of affairs as well as a man of letters, Chaucer's development as the one was
closely paralleled by his development as the other. Born into a family which belonged to the
rising middle class, he obtained through his father, a successful wine merchant, a position as
page in a household which was closely associated with the court of King Edward III. His
mastery of Latin, French, and Italian, in addition to equipping him for diplomatic and civil
service, also enabled him to translate literary works in all three languages, an important factor
in his development as a writer.
A court favorite, Chaucer rose quickly in the world. Before he was twenty he served
as a soldier in France and, upon being captured, was ransomed by his king. Thereafter,
throughout his life, he served his country loyally—as courtier, diplomat, civil administrator,
and translator. Entrusted with important and delicate diplomatic missions, he traveled on
several occasions to France and Italy, and his journeys abroad played an important role in his
literary and intellectual development. Subsequently, he served as Comptroller of Customs for
the Port of London; Member of Parliament; Justice of the Peace; Clerk of the Works at
Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and elsewhere; and finally as a sub-forester of one of the king's forests. He was, in fact, a highly valued public servant and was fortunate to enjoy
for most of his life the patronage of the influential John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and uncle
of King Richard II, During his long public career, he became acquainted with the most
important men of his day—diplomats and rulers as well as writers. At his death, his
reputation as a man of affairs and his genius as a poet well established, he was buried in
Westminster Abbey. Today, in the history of English literature, Chaucer's name stands
second only to that of Shakespeare.
From the Prologue to The Canterbury Tales
Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote
When April with his showers hath pierced the drought
The droghte of March hath perced to the roote,
Of March with sweetness to the very root.


Chaucer’s Portrayal of the Knight:
Chaucer portrays the Knight as a person who is both chivalrous as well as wise. His
numerous qualities are listed by Chaucer in the Prologue. He is also portrayed as being a
crusader and a very well travelled individual. The characteristics of bravery and gentleness
are also dwelt on considerably. However, in contrast his appearance is not as grand as his
qualities. He is dressed in rough, stained garments having just returned from a voyage.
Chaucer’s Knight is a representative of the old chivalry of the middle ages, which
was fast dying out. The Knight was a worthy, widely travelled, and brave valiant. He
loved chivalric ideas like truth, honor, freedom and courtesy. He was highly respected for his
goodness and bravery. He participated in fifteen mortal battles and had three times fought
for Christian faith. His pursuits always ended with the death of his enemy. In his behavior he
was soft spoken and as gentle as a maid.
A KNIGHT there was, and that a noble man,
Who from the earliest time when he began
To ride forth, loved the way of chivalry,
Honor and faith and generosity. (2)
The Squire- The squire is the son of the Knight. He was in habit of carving in front of his
father to eat. He knows singing, composing, drawing and writing.
With him there went a SQUIRE, that was his son,
A lover and soldier, full of life and fun,
With locks tight-curled, as if just out of press;
His age in years was twenty, I should guess.

The Yeoman –He is the person who has been given the function of a forester. In the 15th
century it was known as a small land owner. He used to wear green color hood of hunter. He used to handle the weapons perfectly. His hair was cut very short and his face was brown. A
silver medal of St. Christopher he had. A tale of Gamelyn is found in some manuscripts of
Canterbury tales, was intended by Chaucer when x- written. This plan was assigned to
Yeoman and so he tells no stories.
He had a YEOMAN there, and none beside
In service, for it pleased him so to ride;
And he was clad in coat and hood of green.
He bore a sheaf of arrows, bright and keen,
And wings of peacock feathers edged the wood.

Wife of Bath:
Chaucer has portrayed her as, strong willed, opinionated, highly sexed, frank,
humorous and masterful. Her account "of five husbands and arguments against chastity"
presents her character at once. She was an expert and well to do West Country cloth maker.
She was independent and there was no woman in her parish who dared go before her and
make offerings at the offertory (Church).
“In all the parish wif ne was ther noon;
That to the offering before hir sholde goon. ”
The handkerchief upon her on a Sunday, weighed as much as ten pounds. The Wife
of Bath is concerned with not only defending the active use of sex in marriage but also to
insist that married happiness is possible if the husband yield the “maistye” to his wife. Yet,
she was a worthy woman and had married five husbands besides other company in her
youth.
“She was a worthy woman al her lyfe:
Housbonds at chirche dore she hadde five”
Her coverchiefs were woven close of ground,
And weighed, I lay an oath, at least ten pound
----------------------------
----------------------------
She was a worthy woman all her life;
Five times at church door had she been a wife,
Not counting other company in youth (14)

The  Parson-The parson exhibits virtue in ecclesiastical world where as the Knight
represents virtue in secular world.
There was a PARSON, too, that had his cure
In a small town, a good man and a poor;
But rich he was in holy thought and work.


The Plowman – It was done deliberately to present brotherhood relationship. These people
represent the virtue of their respective occupation. He was very devoted to God. He used a
life with happiness in spite of being poor. He used to help the needy and regards his friends
very much.
With him his brother, a simple PLOWMAN, rode,
That in his time had carted many a load
Of dung; true toiler and a good was he,
Living in peace and perfect charity.