ASSIGNMENT

Topic: Romantic writing and Victorian writring

Submitted by: Mansura Akther Mila

ID: 181300028

SUBMITTED TO
Syeda Tabinda Sadaf
Course: History of English Literature II
Course Code: ENG 315
Difference between Romantic Writing and Victorian
Writing
Romantic Writing

Romanticism was an artistic, literary, and intellectual

movement that originated in Europe toward the end of the
18th century. Romantic poetry refers to the poetry written
during the romanticism. Romantic poetry was a reaction
against conventions, rules, and traditional laws of poetry. It is
considered to be the exact opposite of neoclassical poetry;
neoclassical poetry is the poetry of reason and intellect
whereas romantic poetry is the poetry of emotion, passion, and
sentiments. The romantic poets were against the influence of
intellect in their poetry. According to Wordsworth, one of the
foremost Romantic poets, ““Poetry is the spontaneous
overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion
recollected in tranquility.” Emotion and imagination are
hallmarks of romantic poems.
Nature is one of the most used themes in romantic poetry;
nature was something to be revered and admired. It was a
source of inspiration, happiness, and satisfaction. Pastoral life,
medievalism, Hellenism, supernaturalism are also important
features of romantic poetry.
Victorian Writing

Victorian literature is the literature produced during the reign

of Queen Victoria. Although romantic poetry played a dominant
role in the romantic period, it was the Victorian novel that
played an important role in the Victorian period.
The reclaiming of the past was a major element of Victorian
literature; Victorian poets displayed an interest in the medieval
literature of England. The heroic and chivalry knights were a
particular favorite of Victorian poets. Alfred Tennyson’s Idylls of
the King, which blended Arthurian legends with contemporary
ideas, is a fine example of this theme.
The use of sensory elements was another important
characteristic of Victorian poetry. Many Victorian Poets used
imagery and the sensory elements to express the struggles
between Religion and Science and ideas about Nature and
Romance.

Difference between Romantic and Victorian Poetry

Period
Romantic Poetry was produced during the reign of Queen
Victoria.
Victorian Poetry was produced during the approximate period
from 1800 to 1850.

Themes
Romantic Poetry predominantly used the theme of nature. In
addition, themes of pastoral life, medievalism, Hellenism,
supernaturalism can also be observed.
Victorian Poetry used medieval myths and legends as well as
realistic issues such as the struggle between science and
religion.

Nature
Romantic Poetry revered and admired nature.
Victorian Poetry treated nature in more realistic and less
idealized view.

Emotion vs Intellect
Romantic Poetry gave prominence to emotion, imagination and
spontaneity.
Victorian Poetry gave more importance to intellect and realism.