The Ultimate A* John Keats Revision Guide
A03:
1. Romanticism
…about a mindset/way of feeling. Began in Western Europe in the mid-
18th century (1750-1900), inspired by revolutionary idealism (1789 French
Revolution) and rejected this rigid social and intellectual hierarchy and
replaced it with wildness and emotion.
Best understood as a reaction to the modern world that valued
Rationalism, and was characterised by industrialisation, urbanisation,
secularisation and consumerism.
Core Romantic ideas:
- creative powers of imagination
- nature is majestic and exotic
- value of the individual
- culture of the artist
- spontaneity and freedom
- rebellion against social norms
Key events:
1. The Marais, Paris, 1762: Jean Jacques Rosseau, Genevan philosopher
publishes ‘Emile’, praising the innocence, youthfulness and sweetness of
children. Their spontaneous nature and wisdom makes them the original
rebel against adult discipline. For the first time in Western history,
importance is given to non-rational experiences.
2. Brook Street, London, 1770: Thomas Chatterton commits suicide aged
17 because nobody wants to publish his poetry. Becomes the 1 st emblem
for a very important idea – a pure artist being rejected by a vulgar world.
Borrows from Christianity – Romantic heroes like him, Van Gogh and
Byron are secularised, Christ-like figures.
3. Leipzig, Germany, 1774: Goethe publishes ‘The Sorrows of Young
Werther’, which has an entirely dreamy, unrealistic perspective of love,
and the wider world. Promotes following your heart despite rational
A03:
1. Romanticism
…about a mindset/way of feeling. Began in Western Europe in the mid-
18th century (1750-1900), inspired by revolutionary idealism (1789 French
Revolution) and rejected this rigid social and intellectual hierarchy and
replaced it with wildness and emotion.
Best understood as a reaction to the modern world that valued
Rationalism, and was characterised by industrialisation, urbanisation,
secularisation and consumerism.
Core Romantic ideas:
- creative powers of imagination
- nature is majestic and exotic
- value of the individual
- culture of the artist
- spontaneity and freedom
- rebellion against social norms
Key events:
1. The Marais, Paris, 1762: Jean Jacques Rosseau, Genevan philosopher
publishes ‘Emile’, praising the innocence, youthfulness and sweetness of
children. Their spontaneous nature and wisdom makes them the original
rebel against adult discipline. For the first time in Western history,
importance is given to non-rational experiences.
2. Brook Street, London, 1770: Thomas Chatterton commits suicide aged
17 because nobody wants to publish his poetry. Becomes the 1 st emblem
for a very important idea – a pure artist being rejected by a vulgar world.
Borrows from Christianity – Romantic heroes like him, Van Gogh and
Byron are secularised, Christ-like figures.
3. Leipzig, Germany, 1774: Goethe publishes ‘The Sorrows of Young
Werther’, which has an entirely dreamy, unrealistic perspective of love,
and the wider world. Promotes following your heart despite rational
