Sudan University of Science and Technology

College of Graduates Studies

Nature as a Dominant Theme in Romantic Poetry

A research submitted in Partial Fulfillment of
Requirement for Degree of M.A in English Literature

Submitted By: Alobaid Ali Adlan Alnoor

Supervisor: Dr. WigdanYagoub

2016
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Dedication
To my beloved family

Acknowledgements
First of all I want express my full thanks and praising to Allah who enabled
me to complete this work and I hope that, this work will please Him and
receive His acceptance.
I also take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude and deep
regards to my guide supervisor Dr. WigdanYagoub for her exemplary
guidance and constant encouragement throughout this work.
Lastly, I want to express a deep sense of gratitude to my parents, brothers,
sisters and friends for their continuous encouragement and valuable help
without which this work would not be possible

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Abstract
In this study the researcher focuses on the Romantic era in general and the
Romantic Poetry in particular because the literary works of that era has specific
characters and features that give it a unique flavor and makes it last for a long
time, valid for all generations and has its own influence on the following eras of
British literature at least. The study basically investigates the theme of NATUTER
as a dominant one in some poems of the leader poets of that period (Wordsworth,
Coleridge, Byron, Keats and Shelly), and how does each of the poets mentioned
above apply and treat nature in the selected poem of his. Of course those figure
poets implied every single aspect of nature craft fully and skillfully in their works.
They wrote about the beauty of green fields, forests, colourful flowers, high hill,
river banks, rural scenes, wild wind, fresh air, sun rise and sun set, twinkling stars,
drippy rains . Almost all the romantic poets depicted every scene of natural beauty.
The selected poems are:((The Daffodils by Wordsworth, The Nightingale by
Coleridge, The Pathless Wood by Byron, A Thing of beauty by Keats and the
Loves Philosophy by Shelly)).

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Table of Contents
Page title

Page number

Dedication
Acknowledgment
Abstract in English
Abstract in Arabic
Table of Contents

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II
III
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Chapter One :Introduction

1-1Introduction
1-2 statement of the problem
1-3 questions of the study
1-4hypothesis
1-5 Objectives of the study
1-6 Significance of the study
1-7 Methodology of the study
1-8Limitation of the study

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2
2
2
3
3
3
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Chapter Two :literature review & Precious Studies

A-Theoretical Framework
2.1.0 Definition and Features of Romanticism

2.1.1 Romanticism and Nature

2.1.2 English poetry & Nature

2.1.3 Characteristics of Romantic Poetry

2.2.Romantic pioneer poets

2.2.0 William Wordsworth

2.2.1 Samuel Taylor Coleridge

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2.2.2 Lord Byron,

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2.2.3 John Keats

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2.2.4 Percy Byssi Shelley

12
B- Previous studies

2.3 INTRODUCTION

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2.3.0William Wordsworth

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2.3.1 Samuel Taylor Coleridge

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2.3.2 George Gordon Lord Byron

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2.3.3 John Keats

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2.3.4 Percy Byssi Shelley

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Chapter Three: Analysis from a Critical Point of View

3.0 The Daffodils by William Wordsworth 1770-1850

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3.1 The Nightingale by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1798)

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3.2 The Pathless Woods by George Gordon Byron

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3.3 A thing of Beauty by John Keats

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3.5 Loves Philosophy by Percy Shelley

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Chapter Four :Conclusion

4-1 Conclusion
4-2 Recommendations
4-3 Suggestions
Bibliography
Bibliography

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CHAPTER ONE
Introduction

VII

Chapter One
(1.1) Introduction
Nature is a dominant theme in Romantic poetry, it is more important to examine
what these poets are saying about nature and how they use it.

Romantic

philosophy was a response to the Enlightenment and Rationalism and the scientific
and technological advances it brought. Romantics believed that logic and reason
could no longer solve life's problems and, in fact, were creating more. As such,
Romantics sought to restore man's relationship with nature. They saw nature as
something pure and uncorrupted and, therefore, almost spiritual. Most Romantics
believed that humans were born pure and good and that society corrupted. Nature,
therefore, became a symbol of life without society, a truly good life. Nature
becomes a place where one can go to reflect and contemplate the many questions
of life, a place where one can find solace and happiness in its purity. While most
Romantic poets do write about nature, some also write about life in the city.
However, these poems tend to be much darker and emphasize the idea that society
corrupts.
For the Romantics, nature was a fairly dominant theme and occupied a very
prominent role in the poetry. For these thinkers, nature helped to enhance the
individual experience.

The exploration of self takes place perfectly when

embedded in the natural setting. There is a powerful and potent element to the
natural setting in its reverence. The pantheistic view helps to enshrine the role of
nature in the Romantic poet. At the same time, the love of nature was almost a
response to what the prevailing social order espoused at the time. Neoclassical
society was cosmopolitan and conformed life took place in the urban setting. For
the Romantic thinker, to break from this into a new realm was liberating and
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powerful. This is where the love of nature took on both the form of a statement
and response.

(1.2)The Statement of the Studys Problem

This research is supposed to work out the philosophies and claims of Romantic
Artists included in their works to help people to lead happy and peaceful life after
the confusion that attacked the pure life of people during the break out of the
industrial revolution. These philosophies appeared clearly in the poetry of the
pioneer poets of that era through which they invite people to find happiness in
isolating themselves from this world to the other world of nature which is full of
peace, joy, happiness, and love and almost pure and healthy. To them, the only
source of comfort is a nature.

(1.3)Research Questions
1. Why is Nature significant in the Romantic Movement?
2. In which sense is NATURE a dominant THEME in that era?
3. Why is NAUTRE regarded as an inspirational in that era?
4. How did each of the leader poets apply and treat NATURE in his work?

(1.4)Hypotheses
1-Nature is a significant and dominant theme of Romanticism.
2-Nature is a source of inspiration.
3-Nature is treated and applied skillfully by Romantic artists.

(1.5)Objectives of the Study

The purpose of this work is to provide whoever interested in literature to with a
good idea about the Romantic Poetry and the prominent theme of it.
The researcher targets some selected poems of the five leader poets of that
era(Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, Keats and Shelly), to investigate how
NATURE is used and treated in each work.
The Study also focuses on the age of Romanticism and its influence on both the
society and the following ages of English poetry. It reflects the power of nature on
mankind with reference to a set of poems written by the prominent poets of the
Romantic Era.

(1.6)Significance of the study

This study is supposed to investigate the philosophies that the figure poets of that
era applied to their literary works. It analyzes some of their works to clarify the
importance of nature and its role in the selected poem of each one of the pioneer
poets of that period and his philosophy behind that.

(1.7)Methodology of the Study

The tool that the researcher uses throughout this study is the analytic one in order
to analyze the selected poems of the romantic figure poets to see how the subject
matter of the study (NATURE) is applied in each work.

(1.8)Scope of the Study

This work will be limited to the major philosophies of the Romantic Figure Poets
based on nature which were treated and applied in the poetry of William
Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Jorge Gordon Lord Byron, John Keats and
Percy Shelley. Selected poems of those leader poets will be analyzed.

CHAPTER TWO
Literature review & Previous
Studies

Chapter Two
Literature review
A-Theoretical Framework
2.1.0Definition and Features of Romanticism
Romantic Movement
The Romantic Period was a literary movement in Europe and America during the
late 1700s through the middle 1800s. Romanticism was characterized by five basic
systems of beliefs. It should not be surprising that these were completely different
from the characteristics of the Enlightenment. Romanticism was an intentional
revolt against the rational, formal, reasonable period of the Enlightenment. The
Enlightenment was too scientific and did not focus on romanticism.
The Romantic Movement emphasized emotions over reason; feelings and intuition
were more prevalent than intellectual ideas or thoughts. So it is completely
different from the previous period (the Age of Reason). Emotions and even
passions were addressed in literature written during
the Romantic Period.
Writers during the Romantic Period wrote from their imaginations rather than
presenting life realistically. So, in contrast to the realistic literature written during
the Enlightenment, literature written during the Romantic Period was imaginative
and unrealistic. Romantic literature was also a break with classicism, which creates
its own themes and forms. Theyunderstood that the human mind believed beyond
reason.
Another difference between the Romantics and the writers of the Enlightenment
was a focus on individual concerns rather than on society's. No longer was public
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life more important than private life nor did the concerns of society take preference
over the problems of individuals.
Two other characteristics of the Romantics concerned the characters that were
featured in their literature. These writers felt a reverence for nature and the
common man. Rural life was considered ideal, and heroes of the literature during
this period were usually from humble origins. A revolutionary difference from
literature of the past was the Romantics' use of normal everyday language in their
poetry--the language of the common man. Also, there was an increasing
importance of children and women. Children, especially, were esteemed in
literature of the Romantic Period, and females were much more likely than in the
past to be significant characters. Rousseau, who was a French thinker, apposed
many aspects in the Enlightenment. He believed that material aspects of life
corrupted nature and that society corrupts humans. Rousseau also believes that
children grow like plants, which means they are very organic. He wanted children
to explore and learn on their own. He said that if you educate people in that matter,
society would be organic.
Rather than the nonfiction of the Enlightenment, most literature written during the
Romantic Period was fiction. Poetry and novels were the prevalent genres. Women
authors were much more common also; however, women often used masculine
names (or pen names) because they felt their works might not be respected or taken
seriously if readers knew they were females.
2.1.1 Romanticism and Nature
Romanticism and nature are connected because the artists and philosophers of the
romantic period emphasized the glory and beauty of nature, and the power of the
natural world. Some scholars of romanticism believe that the romanticists treated
nature in an almost religious way. Reasons for the development of this strong
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connection between nature and romanticism include the Industrial Revolution,

which led many people to leave rural areas and live in cities, separated from the
natural world. In addition, during the 18th and 19th centuries when romanticism
was popular, large areas of European and North American wilderness had been
tamed, so that it had become generally much safer for people to travel into these
areas and observe their natural wonders. The connection between romanticism and
nature may have also risen in part as a backlash against the scientific emphasis of
enlightenment philosophy, and against the cultural norms of that period.
Many romanticist artists, writers, and philosophers believe in the natural world as a
source of healthy emotions and ideas. By contrast, the emerging urban,
industrialized world was often portrayed as a source of unhealthy emotions,
morals, and thoughts. Romanticists such as Henry David Thoreau believed that
humans were meant to live in the world of nature, rather than the urban world. The
connection between Romanticism and nature was largely formed with this core
concept that man's true self can be found in the wilderness, rather than in the city.

2.1.2English poetry & Nature

The poetry of the English Romantic period (1800-1832), often contains many
descriptions, and ideas of nature, not found in most writing. The Romantic poets
share several characteristics in common; certainly one of the most significant of
these is their respective views on nature. Which seems to range from a more
spiritual, if not pantheistic view, as seen in the works of William Wordsworth, to
the much more realistic outlook of John Keats? All of these authors discuss, in
varying degrees, the role of nature in acquiring meaningful insight into the human
condition. These writers all make appeals to nature as if it were some kind of living

entity calls are made for nature to rescue the struggling writer, and carry his ideas
to the world.
Nature took a different role in each of the Romantic poets, and even the preromantics, and Victorians writings, but each of these writers has that one major
thing in common: They all write extensively on the role of nature in the lives of
people.
To the Romantic poets, nature is supreme. It is regarded as pure, and therefore
capable of
Communicating perfectly to human instinct. For this reason, nature is capable of
moulding man and capable of generating power.
Nature means the tangible object of the divine creation, the processes of growth
and decay, the developmental stages and dissolution of all created things that helps
us to the awareness of the greater power behind all that we see and behold. This
lead to the fact that ecstasy which the senses attain in this state of awareness is of
inestimable value to the poetic mind.
2.1.3Characteristics of Romantic Poetry
There are many angles and point-of-views from which one can study romantic
poetry. The most of important characteristic of this form of poetry is:
1-Imagination:The phenomenon of imagination is the essence or core of romantic poetry.
According to romantic poets, it is possible to attain a transcendental experience by
means of imagination. It takes people near to the spiritual truth.

2-Emotions:When it comes to romantic poetry, reason and logic take a backseat. The one thing
which rules the world of romanticism is emotion. Romantic poetry is one of the
best means to let loose one's emotions through words. The overflow of emotions
depicted through romantic poetry transcends the boundaries of logical reasoning.
Spontaneity in romantic poetry arises from an emotional outflow, and sometimes
pain is the inspiration.
3-Nature:A romantic poet can let loose his/her imagination in the process of interpreting
natural phenomena. It is said that romantic poetry associated with nature is a kind
of a meditative process. The rationalists tend to view or associate nature with some
kind of machine. A romanticist's perception of nature is that of an organic
phenomenon. Nature is also viewed as a setting or place which offers respite from
the artificial world that we inhabit.
4-Pastoral Life:The pastoral life, culture and traditions are mentioned on a frequent basis in
romantic poetry. In most cases, the relaxed and slow-paced pastoral life of
shepherds is depicted in these poems. Romantic poetry employs this feature in
order to present before readers the complexities of life in a simple manner.
Contrasting features of country and urban life can also be depicted by the portrayal
of pastoral life.

5-Symbolism:It is a way of expressing so much in so little. The use of symbolism in literature

allows inferring / deriving different meanings from a single expression. Symbolism
rouses the curiosity of readers and also adds a kind of enigma puzzle to the
expressions or thoughts of the poet. Representing a particular thing allegorically,
lies at the core of symbolism. Repetitive presentation of an object or character is
one of the ways in which symbolism is depicted in poetry.
6-Individualism
It is one of the important romantic poetry characteristics. Representation of a hero,
a person with exceptional genius, is of common occurrence in romantic poetry.
Heroes are depicted as personalities which exhibit boldness. This quality boldness
is in contrast with that of restraint depicted in ancient classics. The use of
romanticism in literature appeals to our dreamy inner-self. It helps us transcend the
boundaries that are set by rational thinking. It helps us understand the wholesome
truth instead of just making conclusions on what we see or derive by logical
reasoning. There are so many things in this world beyond our understanding. We
can say that the urge to known the unknown is expressed in the form of romantic
poet.

2.2.Romantic pioneer poets

2.2.0 William Wordsworth
Is one of the domineering figures of British Romanticism? He was a good friend of
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and the two of them (long with some other writers who
are no longer as well as those two) settled in Lake District in northwestern
England. They are often refer to Lake Poet. In 1798Wordsworth and Coleridge
anonymously published a collection of poems entitled Lyrical Ballads. Many
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critics cite the publication of this volume as the true beginning of Romantic
Periods. In the second edition of the lyrical Pallad (now published under
Wordsworth name ),Wordsworth added a preface which outlines his aesthetic
theory and his views on what makes for a good poetry This preface is often
considered as a manifesto of Romantic ideology.

2.2.1 Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Coleridge was both poet and literary critic during the Romantic period in England.
His analysis of Shakespeare became notably popular during his lifetime.
Coleridges poetry was deeply influential on poets during and after the Romantic
era. The Rime of Ancient Mariner and Christabel were two of his most famous
works and have overtones of fantasy, mysticism and magic. Christabel in particular
is about a bewitching figure. Both are longer verse poems. He also had many
shorter versions that saw popularity. Some of these included A Fragment and A
Vision in A Dream. Coleridge was known for his conversational tone in his poetry.
Many unfinished works of poetry were found authored by Coleridge. His views
and scholarship were deeply admired by Bryon in particular. Coleridges chief
importance lies as a poet of the supernatural. Along with Wordsworth in its
mystical note, Coleridges poetry remains the fine example of romantic
imagination as well as mysticism. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Christabel
and Kubla Khan bear out this sufficiently. Coleridges earlier poetical works mark
his love for liberty. He has also to his credit some other poems on love and human
relationship. These poems have delicate and subtle psychological touches.
2.2.2Lord Byron,
Also known as George Gordon Byron was known as the leading English poet in
the Romantic era. The concept of the Byronic hero, an antihero in many ways, can
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be seen as a reflection of both his art and his life. Lord Byrons literary epics
include Don Juan, Byronic Hero, and The Curse Minerva. She Walks in Beauty is
one of the best known of poems in the English language, a personal description of
a beautiful woman and in essence a love poem, as well as So, we'll go no more a
roving, a description of man speaking of his youth. Lord Byron died of a cold
brought on by his compromised immune system after an attack in the Gulf of
Corinth with the rebel army that he commanded in Greece

2.2.3 John Keats

Keats is one of the greatest lover and admirer of nature. He expresses the beauty of
both real and artistic forms of nature. Everything in nature for him is full of
wonder and mystery-the rising sun, the moving cloud, the growing bud and the
swimming fish. His love for nature is purely sensuous and he loves the beautiful
sights and scenes of nature for their own sake. He believes that "A thing of beauty
is a joy for ever'. He looks with child-like delight at the objects of nature. In his
poem ode to a Nightingale, he writes: My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness
pains my sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk Or emptied some dull opiate to
the drains Keats is astonished to see happiness of the Nightingale. Before the
hearing of song of the bird, he tried many ways of forgetting worries Keats
believed he has either been poisoned or is influenced by drug. But Keats felt a
tranquil and continual joy in the song of Nightingale and makes him completely
happy. It indicates to unite with nature gives eternal happiness for the mankind.
Nature woks as a source of generating happiness and is a best guide for human
beings to live a happy life. Another poem of Keats, he praises the artistic beauty of
nature. He yearns for eternal beauty: He portrays the artistic beauty of nature in his
poem Ode on a Grecian urn.

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2.2.4 Percy Byssi Shelley

Shelleyis a lover of nature. Love for nature is one of the key-notes of his poetry.
His poetry abounds in Nature imagery. Shelley believes that Nature exercises a
healing influence on man's personality. He finds solace and comfort in nature and
feels soothing influence on his heart. He treats poetry as a tool for pouring his
thoughts to the world. He presents the changing and indefinite moods of Nature
e.g. clouds, wind, lightening, rocks and caves the fury of the storms, waves
dancing fast and bright etc. Shelley makes a request to the west wind to make
humans beings happy. In his Ode to the West Wind, He appeals: Drive my dead
thoughts over the universe, like withered leaves to quicken a new birth! (63-64) He
appeals to the west wind, the most forceful agent in nature to drive away his dead
thoughts (old memories) from him like shrunken leaves in order to start a new life,
the life of happiness. These words are not only for Shelley to remain happy but for
all men and women in the world to be happy. Another poem of Shelley to a
Skylark. He describes skylark as a "blithe Spirit "rather than a bird, for its songs
comes from Heaven, and from its full heart pours "profuse strains of
unpremeditated art". He brings the attention of bird and teaches us to enjoy natural
attitude of it. Skylark sings like a poet hidden in the glow of his thoughts and
influencing the whole world. He says no song that man sings can ever match the
raptures of the birds. Shelley urges human beings to get bliss with nature through
this bird. He considers the Skylark the source of its happiness: What objects are the
fountains of thy happy strain?
What fields, or waves, or mountains? What shape of sky or pain (71-74) Shelley
accepts that natural (fountains, fields, waves, mountains etc) things are the source
of happiness. He feels human beings are beyond the happiness of this bird. If they
give up hate, pride, fear and sorrow they will reach the steeps of joy like Skylark.
He writes: Yet if we could scorn Hate, and pride, and fear; if we were things born
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not to shed a tear (86-89) Shelley points out another fear of mankind are fear of
death which is completely ignored by the bird while flying high on the sky. The
bird rises higher and higher from the earth as continues singing as it soars up. This
poem teaches that man should not have fear of death and do enjoy the present
moment like the Skylark which goes higher and higher without any fear of death.
Man should also have to enjoy the present movement.

B-Previous studies
2.3 INTRODUCTION
The poetry of the English Romantic period contains many descriptions and ideas of
nature. All of the romantic poets and authors discuss in varying degrees, the role of
nature in acquiring meaningful insight into human condition. These writers all
make appeals to nature as if it some kind of living entity calls made for nature
rescue the struggling and carrying his ideas to the world. Romantic poets love
nature and celebrate in its various dimensions. They wrote about the beauty of
green meadows, thick forests, thin flowers, high hills, river banks, rural scenes,
wild wind, fresh air, sun rises and sets etc. Almost every romantic poet touched
every scene of natural beauty. The romantic poets substituted love, emotions,
imagination, and beauty. They viewed several perspectives of nature and its
greatness. One writer stated in his introduction to a romantic anthology: the variety
of this catalogue implies completeness; surely not phase or feature of the outer
natural world is without its appropriate counterpart in the inner world of human
personality. Nature then can be all things to all men. Nature has answer for all
unanswered questions of mankind. They tried to heal sorrows of human beings by
writing their verses about nature. Thus romantic poets believe that nature is a
source of inspiration. They use simple language and personified nature as God,
man etc .So the researcher is going to focus on how romantic poets have treated
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nature and how nature is best guide for happy life according to some relevant
studies that undertake the romantic poets.
2.3.0William Wordsworth
Many scholars have written on William Wordsworth and they have expressed
differentviews on his works. However, in this chapter, the researcher will look
deeply at different works that showsthe essence of nature with relevance to
William Wordsworths write-ups.
The Universal referenceencyclopedia (Vol. 16, 1990) says;
(Wordsworth referred a reflective vacant and pensive mood to a
Restless research for scientific knowledge. He believed that we
learn more by communicating with nature or talking to country
People rather than reading books. He believed that harmony with
Nature is the source of all goodness and truth.
William Wordsworth was the quin-essential poet, a naturalist, who pays close
attentionto the details of the physical environment around him (plants, animals,
geography weather).
In a study on Tintern Bay Nasser ud-din Sofi comes to the fact that
Wordsworth believes that "nature is a teacher whose wisdom we can learn,
and without human is vain and incomplete". Another poem words worth
stress on how modern life is divorced from nature
He continues
Wordsworth expresses the power of remembrance of beautiful scenes to
console amid weariness, to affect and humanise the life and to lift man
above his bodily needs and confusion of the concrete world
Salvasen (1976) says:

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" Wordsworth is regarded as the prophet of nature others should definitely

lean from him. He justified this claim with some verses from the end the
poem entitled Perlude.

J. R. Watson asserts that:

When he is considered alongside with the other romantic poets, whatis so

extraordinary about Wordsworth is not his evocation ofnature, but his insight
into the nature of man with individuallyand in society.
Watson,
Argues:
Wordsworth throughout his life, experienced (during his stay in London)
thesudden transition from the moral and agricultural society to amass society
and Wordsworths experience in London, gave himan insight into these
problems, and a lifelong attachment to thevalue, which the mass society
denied.Individuality local loyalty,the spirit of community.
He further contends that Wordsworths ability to see these matters clearly
and to device poetry that expresses his beliefs about human beings in the
society is one of the reasons why heis the central poet of the modern
tradition.

Datchessaysthat
Wordsworths poetry which gives profound insight into humannature is
influenced by external nature.

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Mathew Alnord
Makes a claim for Wordsworths that the power of Wordsworthswork is
primarily the healing power of its access to joy in nature.
According to Watson (1992),
Wordsworth was one of the greatest tragic poets and had adeep indignation
and compassion for human suffering. The Romantics withdrew to
ruraldwellers and made them to appreciate the natural aesthetics given by
God to man. Therefore,rural solitude was of great importance to
Wordsworth and it brings solace to them. The world istoo much with us.
(Ibrahim B. F. and F. F. Akande; 2000)
Reveals his great concern to manssuffering and sought refuge in nature as a
source of inspiration, imagination and creativity.
Moreover, in the poem, we hear Wordsworth advocating for a withdrawal
from the corrupt society (the sea, in this case striving as on agent). Watson is
also of the opinion that Wordsworthhas distinguished himself from all other
poets before him and among the Romanticist because ofhis interest in natural
essence and rural dwellers.

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2.3.1Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Samuel Taylor Coleridge as a Romantic poet and literary critic changed the nature
ofpoetry. He also had distinctive views on imagination and religion.
It is well known that Coleridge helped to change poetry with the publishing of
lyricalballads with William Wordsworth in 1788. Both Coleridge and
Wordsworth believed in therestorative powers of nature, but Coleridge was
much more a traditional Christian in his beliefs.
Abraham 1965
Wrote a broad description that applies to the conversation poems through which
Coleridge applied the theme of nature both craft fully and skillfully. Abrams was
describing both the conversation poems and later poems influencedby them.
Abrams essay has been called a touchstone of literary criticism. As
Pauldescribed it in 2002
Abrams called some of Coleridge poems as greaterRomantic lyric namely they are
Coleridges Conversation poems, and included,TinternAbbey and some works of
some other poet of the same era such as (Shelleys stanzas Written in Dejection
and Keatss Ode to a Nightingale),and this was a major influence on more
modern lyrics by Matthew Arnold, Walt Whitman,Wallace Stevens and W. H.
Auden)
In 2011 Dere Fatima wrote:
(Coleridges conversation poems are considered by many critics to be
among
Coleridges finest verses thus Harold Bloom has written, With Dejection,
The Ancient
Mariner, Kubla Khan and Frost at Midnight shows Coleridge at his
most impressive).
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2.3.2George Gordon Lord Byron

Lord Byron is one of the most influential poets of the romantic era; therefore his
literary works have become the subject for whoever interested in literature. He
wrote a variety of works concerning the dominant theme of his period which is
nature.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine published an article stating that:
Hewas "one of the most remarkable men to whom
(England) has had the honour and disgrace of giving
birth. The list of writers, artists, and composers who
Were directly inspired by Byron's life and poetry is
Almost without peer.
The global book reference (Wikipedia) says:
In contrast Lord Byron and Walter Scott achieved enormous fame and
influence throughout Europe with works exploiting the violence and drama
of their exotic and historical settings; Goethe called Byron "undoubtedly the
greatest genius of our century.
A website called British Romanticism stated the following
(Byron is one of the few British Romantic writers to achieve widespread
fame during his lifetime. Byron was good friends with Percy Shelley, but
very much disliked (and was disliked by) Wordsworth and Coleridge. In
fact, Byrons poetry bears little resemblance to that of the Lake Poets; its
style and form is much more similar to British poetry of the 18th century.
His contribution to the period comes in the form of the Byronic hero, a
boldly defiant but bitterly self-tormenting outcast, proudly contemptuous of
social norms but suffering for some unnamed sin).
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2.3.3John Keats
Keats was the prodigy of the Romantics. Though dead at age 25, he was
enormously prolific. Keats's poetry, though distinctly Romantic in flavor is unlike
any of his contemporaries. He is best known for his sonnets and odes, particularly
"Ode to a Nightingale" and Ode on a Grecian Urn." He is also well-known for his
love of the classics of antiquity, which often filters into his poetry.
Nasser ud-din Sofi in an analytic study of A Thing of Beauty says
That Keats expresses the beauty of both real and artistic forms of nature.
Everything in nature for him is full of wonder and mystery-the rising sun,
the moving cloud, the growing bud and the swimming fish. His love for
nature is purely sensuous and he loves the beautiful sights and scenes of
nature for their own sake.
When he analyzed Ode on a Grecian urn. He states that:
Keats, he praises the artistic beauty of nature. He yearns for eternal beauty:
He portrays the artistic beauty of nature in his poem Ode on a Grecian urn.
Nasser ud-din Sofi in an analytic study on ode to a Nightingale, writes:
Keats is astonished to see happiness of the Nightingale.Before the hearing of
song of the bird, he tried many ways of forgetting worries Keats believed he
has either been poisoned or is influenced by drug. But Keats felt a tranquil
and continual joy in the song of Nightingale and makes him completely
happy. It indicates to unite with nature gives eternal happiness for the
mankind. Nature woks as a source of generating happiness and is a best
guide for human beings to live a happy life.
On a Website called (Effective Papers), theywrote:
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(. Keats really likes to use the images and sounds of nature in many of his poems.
He creates wonderful mental images of the beauty of nature. Keats uses these for
example in The songs of birds- the Whispering of the leaves, The Voice of
Waters-the Great Bell that Heaves, The Author also sometimes uses
personification to better describe the actions of nature. He uses it in, the
Whispering of the leaves. That adds so much feeling tao the descriptive, and the
sound and image that people create becomes more dramatic.
Keats wonderful technique is very unique. As a kid he was known to be a sensitive
person. Keats didnt follow the obvious and sought further meaning into things
around him. Keats listened to sounds a different way than everyone else did. He
heard music instead of noise. Being a romantic poet, Keats loved and honored the
olden days. But also being born during a time of great industrialism, harmony and
nature were not paid much attention to.)
IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science (An electronic Magazine) wrote:
He addresses the Grecian Urn as"unravished bride of quietness and a foster-child
of silence and slow time". He also calls the Grecian urn a "Sylvan historian
"because of the rural and forest scenes carved on its surface. Keats also goes on to
say that music which is imagined is much sweeter than music which is actually
heard.
Keats presented the artistic beauty of nature through his poems which can also
enlighten humanity. This work of art has created immortal figures. Nature in any
form like art will bring happiness to the world.
2.3.4PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY
In analytic study on The Skylark Nasser ud-din Sofi wrote:Shelley believes that Nature exercises a healing influence on man's personality. He
finds solace and comfort in nature and feels soothing influence on his heart. He

20

treats poetry as a tool for pouring his thoughts to the world. He presents the
changing and indefinite moods of Nature.
Catherine Peck wrote:
(Although Shelley focuses upon the wonder and beauty of organic nature implies a
negative view of civilization, he must have also appreciated mans intelligence,
for, considering the context of the Romantic period, his inventions in machinery
founded the Industrial Revolution that boosted the economy. Moreover, improved
transport, such as railways and steamboats, aided the rising tourism, enabling
people to visit the sublime landscapes that inspired Romantic theory and work. It
can thus be argued that if man is a product of nature, then his inventions are also
nature essentially a man-made nature and should therefore be equally as
sublime as his art. However, mans industrial power has a destructive side, like
natures parallel forces).
Nasser ud-din calims that:
Shelley in his Ode to the West Wind, He appeals: Drive my dead thoughts over
the universe, Like withered leaves to quicken a new birth!(63-64) He appeals to the
west wind, the most forceful agent in nature to drive away his dead thoughts (old
memories) from him like shrunken leaves in order to start a new life ,the life of
happiness. These words are not only for Shelley to remain happy but for all men
and women in the world to be happy.

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CHAPTER THREE
Analysis from a Critical Point
of View

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Chapter 3
Analysisfrom a Critical Point of View
In this chapter going to see how each of the romantic figure poets applied the
basic theme of that era in his works (selected poems).
3.0TheDaffodils by William Wordsworth 1770-1850
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
The poet was alone taking a walk beside a lake. Suddenly he came across a plenty
of golden-coloured Daffodils under the trees beside a lake. Wind played music role
to make the daffodils dance. This view made him very excited and happy. The
happiness did not stop at the lake side. Any other time he remembers, he recaptures
his mind to the scene and it brings him unlimited joy
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The poet is shocked by the large number of the Daffodils. They are as many as the
stars in the sky. The poet could not simply believe it fluttering and dancing in the
breeze, continuous as the stars that shine and twinkle on the Milky Way, they
stretched in never ending line along the margin of a bay.
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The waves beside them danced, but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A Poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazedand gazedbut little thought
In this stanza, the breeze causes the waves in the lake to also move from side to
side. Still, the movement of the daffodils moving from side to side is better to
watch. The poet was so emotionally happy that he does not know how long this
scene is going to be on his mind afterwards and what pleasure it will bring him.
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
Here the poet discovered that he was alone, he
Suddenly remembered that scene and his loneliness turned into happiness.
Thenatural elements and sceneries represented in this poem, made the poet happy
and exitedandprevented him from being alone.
*In this poem the wants to tell us that nature is the best company.
3.1The Nightingale by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1798)
No cloud, no relique of the sunkenday
Distinguishes the West, no long thin slip
Of sullen light, no obscure trembling hues.
Come, we will rest on this old mossy bridge!
You see the glimmer of the streambeneath,
But hear no murmuring: it flows silently.
O'er its soft bed of verdure.
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'The Nightingale' is a poem with a conversational style. In this poem, Coleridge

demonstrates his love for nature and rural life over the city and more modern
conveniences, and by doing so, he stays true to his Romantic ideas.
In stanza one, Coleridge establishes the setting of the poem. Then he starts
addressing those who are accompanying him on a walk(William Wordsworth and
his sister Dorothy) and inviting them to rest on an old bridge watching the scene
oftheglitteringwater in the stream beneath, but no sound can be heard, it just flows
silently.
All is still.
A balmy night! And though the stars be dim,
Yet let us think upon the vernal showers
That gladden the green earth, and we shall find
A pleasure in the dimness of the stars.
And hark! the Nightingale begins its song,
'Most musical, most melancholy' bird!
A melancholy bird? Oh! idle thought!
In Nature there is nothing melancholy.
Another image is that the evening is still warm and the stars are dim. It is at this
point that the nightingale begins singing. Nightingales do sing during the day, but
their songs are most strong at night. Coleridge objects the idea that the nightingale
is known as a 'musical' and 'melancholy' bird, and says that 'In Nature there is
nothing melancholy. This concept truly defines Coleridge's attitude toward nature.
Nature is practically worshipped by writers like Coleridge. It is a refuge for
whoever self peace, real beauty and happiness.
But some night-wandering man whose heart was pierced
With the remembrance of a grievous wrong,
Or slow distemper, or neglected love,
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(And so, poor wretch! filled all things with himself,

And made all gentle sounds tell back the tale
Of his own sorrow) he, and such as he,
First named these notes a melancholy strain.
Coleridge blames a depressed person, who was wrapped up in his own sadness,
for attaching the nightingale's song to a melancholy tune.
And many a poet echoes the conceit;
Poet who hath been building up the rhyme
When he had better far have stretched his limbs
Beside a brook in mossy forest-dell,
By sun or moon-light, to the influxes
Of shapes and sounds and shifting elements
Surrendering his whole spirit, of his song
And of his fame forgetful! so his fame
Should share in Nature's immortality,
He then states that poets have assumed that nightingales sing sad songs without
taking the time to go out into nature and listen to the birds. Then, in listening, the
poet should lose himself and become one with nature.
A venerable thing! and so his song
Should make all Nature lovelier, and itself
Be loved like Nature! But 'twill not be so;

In ball-rooms and hot theatres, they still

Full of meek sympathy must heave their sighs
O'er Philomela's pity-pleading strains.
My Friend, and thou, our Sister! We have learnt
A different lore: we may not thus profane
25

Nature's sweet voices, always full of love

And joyance!
Here Coleridge thinks that the charm of the city with its theatres and symphonies is
a greater attraction than a song-filled wood. Moreover in this poem to Coleridge,
everything in nature is pure and good and nature is a teacher for mankind.
*In this poem Coleridge wants to get across that everything in nature is pure,
useful and a source of happiness if people could understand it truly.
3.2The Pathless Woods by George Gordon Byron
There is a pleasure in the
pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the
lonely shore,
There is society, where
none intrudes,
By the deep sea,
and music in its roar:
In this poem Lord Byron wants to say that there is a kind of unlimited pleasure
and excitement in walking on a path which is surrounded with various kinds of
trees, gasses and flowers, listening to sonorous sounds of birds and forest creatures
while you are alone
The title of the poem derived fromthe first line, since this was not written as a
solitary poem, is telling enough on its own. To say there is pleasure in a pathless
woodis to say there is a certain kind of joy in walking on the path that others do
not.
I love not man the less, but
Nature more,
26

From these our interviews,

in which I steal
From all I may be, or have
Beenbefore,
To mingle with the
Universe, and feel
What I can ne'er express,
yet cannot all conceal.
I love not man the less, but Nature more,
From these our interviews, in which I steal
From all I may be, or have been before,
To mingle with the Universe, and feel
What I can neer express, yet cannot all conceal.
No doubt that loneliness is supposed to be a sorrowful feeling, but the poet is
finding unlimited joy in it. What is interesting is the idea of solitude being its own
society; the idea of emptiness, or loneliness even, is being personified into
pleasurable company. The poet goes further to depict the state of staying alone in a
forest as both peaceful and joyful. Listening to pleasant music and no one else is
around is an everlasting entertainment. The poet doesnt hate humans, but prefers
the company of nature. He declares that he feels closer to the universe itself and
feels something that cannot be ignored, but cannot be labeled either. It is difficult
to describe the feeling of solitude.
*Here the poet implies both nature and solitude in his poem as best accompanies
and sources of happiness.

27

3.3 A thing of Beauty by John Keats

A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health,
and quiet breathing.
Simply Keats describes a thing of beauty as a flowing joy forever. Its beauty only
increases and it will never stop. The benefits presented by a thing of beauty are
listed as giving sound rest with good dreams and well-being.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and oer-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits.
The earth without the beautiful things is a despondent, spiteful place flourishing in
cruel insensitive dearth and is harsh toward human beings. Every day human
28

beings face gloomy days packed with unhealthy hatred and darkness. However, in
spite of all, a thing of beauty helps to remove the dark cloud that burdens our souls.
Hence, the poet says that we as human beings every day create an ornate band,
made of all the lovely things we see. This band keeps people bound to
thedespairingearthas we would, otherwise be hopeless too.
Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old, and young, sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils
With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake,
Rich with a sparkling of fair musk-rose blooms;
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heavens brink.

This closing paragraph tells people some of the beautiful things on Earth. After all,
beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. Everyone can mark something beautiful in
anything. The examples set by the poet are as: the sun, the moon, trees, flowers,
streams, musk-rose blooms, architectural graves, even fairy tales or heroic legends.
29

The simple sheep are human beings; the poet sympathizes with the innocence of
human beings. Keats sees the beauty in innocent humans seeking solace in nature,
and Mother Nature in its own way sprouts a shady wall of relief and consolation.
Another image is of a delicate lone white flower holding up its head among a
setting of thorns and ends and everything in nature is against delicateness so too
are the daffodils mentioned in the poem.The poet also sees beauty in the death of
martyrs and legends. The mighty dead are those martyrs who have died bravely
for certain causes. People should honor them by erecting magnificent, grand grave
in which beauty is seen. If one looks around, there are plenty beautiful things to
notice they seem to flow forever as a fountain, from the Gods above to help the
naive human beings able to cope with the harshness of life.
*The message that Keats wants to get across through this outstanding poem is that
Beauty has the ability to transform lives, it can remove negativism, and dark
thoughts. Beauty can also remove the impact of grief, it can help one survive even
when there is a dearth of noble natures or when one is surrounded by hostile and
wicked people. Beauty has a positive impact on ones health, it can help steady the
breathing, and can give one a sound sleep. John Keats suggests that beauty can be
found everywhere in life

3.5 Loves Philosophy by Percy Shelley

In this poem the poet sees all these examples of love and how nature is natural and
its natural for things such as mountains kissing the heavens or fountains mingling
with rivers. But for some reason this girl wont be with him. Hes trying to
convince her to be with him.
The fountains mingle with the river,
And the rivers with the ocean;
The winds of heaven mix forever
30

With a sweet emotion;

Nothing in the world is single;
All things by a law divine
In anothers being mingle
Why not I with thine?
In this stanza Shelley talks about how all these things in nature mingle or mix
together. Its a "sweet emotion" and "divine law Since all these things in nature
mix why wont you mingle or mix with me. First Stanza Literary Devices
Personification:Fountains cant mingle with the river, and its not a sweet emotion imagerynature, oceans, sweet emotion Repetition-mingle Rhetorical Question- "Why not I
with thine"
See, the mountains kiss high heaven,
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister flower could be forgiven
If it disdained its brother;
And the sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea;
What is all this sweet work worth,
If thou kiss not me?
The second stanza correlates with the first stanza in that it talks about things in
nature mixing together, and the poets addressing his lover saying that her
disrespecting may not be with him. And how all these things are mixing together
mean nothing if he is not with her. He is repeating and saying all this things are
together, so its just natural for you and me to be together. The nature elements are
represented through relationship that do exist among the (Mountains
- high heavens, waves with each other, sunlight- earth, and moon beans-the sea).
31

CHAPTER FOUR
Conclusion, Recommendations and
Suggestions for Further Studies

32

CHAPTER (4)

4.1CONCLUSION
Whoever interested in English literature should surely give more attention to the
richest era (Romanticism) through the whole history of literature of all human
beings. The figure poets of that era are true lovers and admirers of nature. They
mention nature as both safe and warm refuge and a source of happiness for all
creatures .Moreover it works as source of inspirations. Nature woks as a source of
generating happiness and is a best guide for human beings to live happily and
peacefully. So each of the fifth leader poets of thatera (William Wordsworth-S.T
Coleridge-Lord Byron-John Keats and Percy Shelley) appliednatureas a basic
theme,craft fully in his works. Those pioneer romantic poets have tried their best to
bring happiness to people and helpthem to get rid of all their sorrows and
melancholy through natural beauty and rural setting in their poems. They believed
that nature has answers for all unanswered questions. They celebrate the beauty of
nature in its various dimensions. So it is very difficult if not impossible to across a
poem free of any aspect of nature sceneries such as sing birds, dancing flowers,
dropping or flowing water, twinkling stars etc.perhapsnatural scenes are do present
in every piece of literary work of that era. To conclude nature is our best guide,
source of inspiration to lead a happy and prosperous life.

4.2 Recommendations
After finishing this study the researcher recommends the following: Romantic poetry should be included in high schools, colleges and instates
curriculum.
Regular seminars should be held by faculties of Arts students on romantic poetry.
Humanitarian organizations should adopt the idea of nature as a source of
happiness for people and care much on it.
31

 Much care should be given to the elements of nataure by whoever looks for
happiness.

4.3 Suggestions for further studies

Finally the researcher has some suggestions for everyone who is interested in
romantic literary works in general and romantic poetry in particular;these
suggestions are as follow
A study entitled William Wordsworth nature and imagination treatment in poetry.

A comparison study between each two poets that era.

A study entitled Sentimental poems of Keats and Shelley.

A study on Female poets and poetry of romanticism.

32

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