1. Literary periods of time
1.1 Romanticism 1740-1830
1.1.1 Early romanticism
This literature is focused on realism and rationalism. A new genre was
born: the novel (=something new at that moment). People wanted the
story to be recognizable and were fulfilling their expectations. Poets were
less interested in the refined culture life of London and other cities. They
made a shift to focussing on nature-and-country-life. They became to
write about NATURE. Poetry then regained a lot more lyrical and personal
character. Poets also used this on a more regular basis to transfer their
message.
This period of romanticism was the most important and was influenced
by the French revolution. William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor
Coleridge published a collection of poems called ‘Lyrical Ballads’ in 1798.
This became a milestone in English history. It was based on deep and
pure emotional human emotions. They mostly wrote about ‘nature-and-
country-life’. Coleridge and Wordsworth were influenced by their work-
and-living situation. They were part of the ‘Lake poets’ (a like district in
the northwest of England).
In the first decades of the 19th century emerged a new generation of
romantic poets. Their work was mostly connected to their personal lives.
Their lives were either wild and exotic or tragic, but in all cases rather
short.
1.1.2 Famous poets
1) Gordon Lord Byron: wrote passionate poetry and was famous for it, but
also for his good looks, charm, and scandalous lifestyle.
2) Percy Bysshe Shelly: A young poet who was expelled from Oxford
University at the age of 19 for writing an atheist pamphlet (ontkennen
bestaan god). He became involved in revolutionary groups as well as
complicated love affairs.
3) John Keats: John came from a more humble background then Byron and
Shelly. He was influenced by the older poets Wordsworth and Coleridge. He
did not express any political sympathies in his work. He died young, he
suffered from a tuberculosis.
, 1.1.3 Characteristics of romantic poetry
The romantic poets were seen as a sort of movement, but they did not
form a consistent group. They were more individualistic by nature and
as consequence, their word is very different in character. There are
some factors that determine their work.
Expression of personal feelings in their work
Strong interest in the past, especially the Middle Ages – Interested in
and influenced by their natural surroundings.
Usage of more informal language and free verse forms that their
predecessors (voorganger).
è The novel was far less influenced by romantic ideas and ideals. It has
usually been a more rational form of literature which often deals with
the social issues or individual dilemmas in a wider, social context. The
romantic period has been a more poetic movement, but in the 18th
century the development of the novel has been an important period,
mainly due to the popularity of circulating libraries, from which people
could borrow books for free.
1.1.4 Famous writers of novels
1) Oliver Goldsmith: Wrote poems, novels, plays, and essays. A famous
novel of his is: “the vicar of Wakefield”.
2) Sir Walter Scott: He wrote popular historic novels which were set
against the backgrounds of the Scottish Lowlands.
3) Jane Austen: She wrote realistic, ironic books about the position of
women and the dilemmas they had to deal with. Usually, the stories were
set in the quiet environment of the wealthy upper middle class of
provincial England. (Pride & Prejudice)
1.2 The Victorian Era 1830 – 1900
1.2.1 The years of self confidence
è The Victorian literature was often a reflection or a response to historical
events and social conditions (North and south). Due to the Industrial
revolution, which started in 1750 and was accelerated (versneld) by the
invention of the steam engine in 1769. Britain then became more power
full than ever. Britain became to trade their coal, iron, and steel because
she had more than enough. She had enough for her enormous industry.
1.1 Romanticism 1740-1830
1.1.1 Early romanticism
This literature is focused on realism and rationalism. A new genre was
born: the novel (=something new at that moment). People wanted the
story to be recognizable and were fulfilling their expectations. Poets were
less interested in the refined culture life of London and other cities. They
made a shift to focussing on nature-and-country-life. They became to
write about NATURE. Poetry then regained a lot more lyrical and personal
character. Poets also used this on a more regular basis to transfer their
message.
This period of romanticism was the most important and was influenced
by the French revolution. William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor
Coleridge published a collection of poems called ‘Lyrical Ballads’ in 1798.
This became a milestone in English history. It was based on deep and
pure emotional human emotions. They mostly wrote about ‘nature-and-
country-life’. Coleridge and Wordsworth were influenced by their work-
and-living situation. They were part of the ‘Lake poets’ (a like district in
the northwest of England).
In the first decades of the 19th century emerged a new generation of
romantic poets. Their work was mostly connected to their personal lives.
Their lives were either wild and exotic or tragic, but in all cases rather
short.
1.1.2 Famous poets
1) Gordon Lord Byron: wrote passionate poetry and was famous for it, but
also for his good looks, charm, and scandalous lifestyle.
2) Percy Bysshe Shelly: A young poet who was expelled from Oxford
University at the age of 19 for writing an atheist pamphlet (ontkennen
bestaan god). He became involved in revolutionary groups as well as
complicated love affairs.
3) John Keats: John came from a more humble background then Byron and
Shelly. He was influenced by the older poets Wordsworth and Coleridge. He
did not express any political sympathies in his work. He died young, he
suffered from a tuberculosis.
, 1.1.3 Characteristics of romantic poetry
The romantic poets were seen as a sort of movement, but they did not
form a consistent group. They were more individualistic by nature and
as consequence, their word is very different in character. There are
some factors that determine their work.
Expression of personal feelings in their work
Strong interest in the past, especially the Middle Ages – Interested in
and influenced by their natural surroundings.
Usage of more informal language and free verse forms that their
predecessors (voorganger).
è The novel was far less influenced by romantic ideas and ideals. It has
usually been a more rational form of literature which often deals with
the social issues or individual dilemmas in a wider, social context. The
romantic period has been a more poetic movement, but in the 18th
century the development of the novel has been an important period,
mainly due to the popularity of circulating libraries, from which people
could borrow books for free.
1.1.4 Famous writers of novels
1) Oliver Goldsmith: Wrote poems, novels, plays, and essays. A famous
novel of his is: “the vicar of Wakefield”.
2) Sir Walter Scott: He wrote popular historic novels which were set
against the backgrounds of the Scottish Lowlands.
3) Jane Austen: She wrote realistic, ironic books about the position of
women and the dilemmas they had to deal with. Usually, the stories were
set in the quiet environment of the wealthy upper middle class of
provincial England. (Pride & Prejudice)
1.2 The Victorian Era 1830 – 1900
1.2.1 The years of self confidence
è The Victorian literature was often a reflection or a response to historical
events and social conditions (North and south). Due to the Industrial
revolution, which started in 1750 and was accelerated (versneld) by the
invention of the steam engine in 1769. Britain then became more power
full than ever. Britain became to trade their coal, iron, and steel because
she had more than enough. She had enough for her enormous industry.
