romanticism

Romanticism

Who is the poet?

The importance of the senses

Man and nature

William Wordsworth

Romanticism

The term 'Romantic' started being used in the late 1700s to describe certain ideas and feelings that emerged as a response to the prevailing focus on reason during the early 1700s. These ideas were born out of a feeling of not measuring up to the dominant values of the Enlightenment and the society that followed it. While the Enlightenment emphasized being objective and rational, Romanticism appreciated the personal and illogical aspects of human nature: emotions, imagination, self-reflection, and the connection with nature.

William Wordsworth

William Wordsworth was a renowned English poet who lived from 1770 to 1850. He is considered one of the key figures in the Romantic movement. Wordsworth's poetry celebrated the beauty and power of nature, emphasizing the connection between humans and the natural world. His works, such as "Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey" and "The Prelude," explored themes of memory, imagination, and the transformative power of nature. Wordsworth's lyrical style and heartfelt expressions of emotion continue to resonate with readers, inspiring a love for nature and a deeper understanding of the human experience.

Nature includes everything we can perceive with our senses. Wordsworth had a keen ability to see and hear, allowing him to appreciate the beautiful sights in nature and the sounds of the wind, water, or quiet places. These sensations give rise to simple thoughts, which later combine into more complex and organized ideas.

The importance of the senses

Who is the poet?

According to Wordsworth, a poet is someone who talks to other people, but with a stronger ability to feel and understand deeply. Their imagination gives them the power to share what they know and teach others, helping people understand their emotions and become better morally. The poet's job is to highlight the everyday things in life, especially the ordinary people, because that's where the strongest feelings and truths can be discovered.

Wordsworth was curious about how nature and human thoughts and feelings are connected. In his poems, he didn't just observe nature objectively; he focused on describing how people interact with nature and the emotions and sensations that result from that connection. When he talked about a natural thing, what interested him most was how the poet felt about it. Wordsworth strongly believed that humans and nature are inseparable. He thought that humans are not separate from nature, but rather active participants in it. So when he talked about "nature," he meant everything in the natural world, including both non-living things and people, all being part of one whole. Nature brings comfort to people when they are sad. It brings joy and pleasure. It teaches people to love and behave in a good way. It is a place where the divine spirit of the universe can be felt.

Man and nature

Progetto svolto da Viviana Pernice