Nature Poetry

During the Romantic period, 1785-1830, several different themes are present in the literature. Some of the themes include: the creative power of the human mind, prophecy, emotion and nature. Of these four themes, nature is the most prevalent. "Romanticism in literature was commonly known as "nature poetry"" (The Norton Anthology...). The theme of nature is commonly found in literature because authors are known to live away from the city enabling them to capture the beauty of nature and all that lies within. Being away from the city not only allows the author to capture nature as it is, but it also allows him to vividly describe the beauty of nature in a way that allows the reader to become a part of his world. Authors of the Romantic period would meditate outside, connecting with nature; thus permitting them to express personal crisis and emotion. Percy Shelly once said, "I always seek in what I see the likeness of something beyond the present and tangible object" (The Norton Anthology...). Nature poetry represents the author's ability to look at something small and see the larger meaning behind it.

Nature is the main theme in several of William Wordsworth's poems. One example is, "...the bright blue river passed Along the margin of our terrace walk; A tempting playmate whom we dearly loved" ("The Prelude"). This quote from his poem illustrates how he connects being care-free to the river and its flowing waters. Another example of nature used as a main theme in poetry is "Work Without Hope" by Samuel Coleridge. This is illustrated in the line, "And WINTER, slumbering in the open air, Wears on his smiling face a dream of Spring!" ("Work Without Hope"). This line is my personal favorite because it gave me, as the reader, the image of a huge cloud that is surrounded by the cold, winter air; smiling, waiting for the warmth of spring. In "The Nutting" by Wordsworth, the thorns represent the guilt and evil inside the boy that he wishes to destroy. After researching some of the other themes in poetry written during the Romantic period, I do believe that nature is the most interesting and the most profound theme.

Picture Source:

"Songs of Innocence and Experience." Poetry: 2nd Class. Web. 4 April 2011. http://usm.maine.edu/~rabrams/120Poy3.html.

Sources:

Author Unknown. "Introduction, The Romantic Period." The Norton Anthology of English Literature: 8th ed. Vol. D. M.H. Abrams and Stephen Greenblatt. New York: W.W. Norton Company. 2006. Pgs 11-12. Print.

"The Prelude." Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum. 2007. Web. 1 April 2011. http://www.wordsdworth.org.uk/poetry/index.asp?pageid=173.

"Work Without Hope." Samuel Taylor Coleridge. 22 April 2003. Web. 1 April 2011. http://www.orgs.muohio.edu/anthologies/bijou/vissat/Workwithouthope.htm .