Concetti Chiave
- English society significantly influenced literature, with a shift from Neo-Classicism's satire to Early Romanticism's sentimentalism and symbolism.
- The Early Romantic period focused on intimate and personal feelings, characterized by a melancholic tone and considered the age of sensibility.
- There was a revived interest in nature and the past, notably the Middle Ages, marking a departure from previous literary themes.
- Romantic heroes were often rebels or outcasts, rebelling against societal norms or living in isolation as intellectuals.
- Two distinct poetry trends emerged: melancholic graveyard poetry, exemplified by Thomas Gray, and ossianic poetry centered on bygone times and legendary figures.
Influence of English Society
In this period, literature was influenced by English society (social changes conditioned the age) and there were some differences between Neo Classicism and Early Romantic period: in the Neo Classicism period satire was used very much to criticised the aristocratic part of society and it was completely out of literary production, while in the Early Romantic period satire was substituted by sentimentalism. Furthermore in Early Romantic period was used symbolism (that wasn’t used in Neo classicism period) especially in poetry.
Characteristics of Early Romantic Period
All the production of this period is based on intimate feelings, and the poet describe his personal feelings. There is a melancholic tone so Early Romantic period is considered the age of sensibility.
There is also a new interest in nature and a new interest in what they called bygone times and for the first time there was a new interest for the middle age.
Rebel and outcast represented Pre-Romantic heroes; the rebel rebels to the rules of the society (that was considered as an evil force) and he became an outcast, while the outcast is an intellectual person who lives isolated.
These two different stereotypes are characteristic of Romantic period.
Also in this period there were two trend in poetry: the first trend used a melancholic tone and the most important movement of this type of poetry was called graveyard poetry, and his main English exponent was Thomas Gray.
The second trend of poetry referred to bygone times (description of national past, epic heroes, legendary heroes, warrior) and the most important movement was ossianic poetry.
Domande da interrogazione
- How did the transition from Neo Classicism to Early Romanticism affect the use of satire in literature?
- What are the defining characteristics of the Early Romantic period in literature?
- Who were the Pre-Romantic heroes, and what did they represent?
During the transition from Neo Classicism to Early Romanticism, satire, which was prevalent in Neo Classicism to critique the aristocracy, was replaced by sentimentalism in the Early Romantic period.
The Early Romantic period is characterized by a focus on intimate feelings, a melancholic tone, and a new interest in nature and bygone times, including the Middle Ages. It is considered the age of sensibility.
Pre-Romantic heroes were the rebel and the outcast. The rebel defied societal rules, viewing society as an evil force, while the outcast was an intellectual living in isolation. These stereotypes are characteristic of the Romantic period.
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