Themes in British Romantic Poetry

Paper Summary:

Turning away from the satire of the 18th century, Romanticism stressed the expression of the individual through creative means. This paper explains that common themes in Romantic poetry included: The use of excessive imagination, nature, exotic or foreign places, outcasts of society or the lower classes of society, the past, excessive emotion and a passion for the wild or the unfamiliar. Using Samuel Taylor Coleridge's work, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner", the paper shows how these recurring themes are used throughout the poem.

Paper Outline:
Introduction
Use of Excessive Imagination
Use of Nature
Poets Have a Passion for the Wild and the Unfamiliar
Use of Exotic or Foreign Places
Use of Outcasts of Society
Use of the Past
Use of Excessive Emotion
References

From the Paper:

"Coleridge's Ancient Mariner is but one of the many repenting wanderers of Romantic poetry. Shunned by society and cursed by nature for his killing of the albatross, the Mariner is condemned to wander the earth warning others about the sacredness of life by relating his extraordinary encounter. While the Mariner can never recompense for his act, his internal goodness was revealed in his sudden appreciation for all forms of life while he was suffering in his solitude."

More papers on Themes in British Romantic Poetry:

• Analytical Essay # 144246 : "The Poetry of William Blake"
• Analytical Essay # 68146 : "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner"
• Analytical Essay # 63844 : "Rime of the Ancient Mariner"

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