The English Romantic Poets

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, through the work of William Wordsworth and William Blake, the English romantic poets laid the foundation of the Victorian's desertion of God. The author explores William Wordsworth's "Ode: Intimations of Immorality" and William Blake's symmetrical poems "The Lamb" and "The Tyger" and both versions of "The Chimney Sweeper". The paper concludes that, by using light and dark imagery, both poets suggest that the traditional view of religion is associated with innocence and naivete. On the other hand, dark images are associated with the Romantic era's new gods of nature and emotion.

From the Paper:

"Although they deal with a more realistic and earthly subject, both of Blake's poems entitled "The Chimney Sweep" use light and dark imagery to contrast the conflicting views of God. In Blake's "Songs of Innocence" version of the poem, a happy child in unhappy circumstances is rescued by his belief in the traditional God, angels, and his acceptance of the moral "if all do their duty, they need not fear harm". Employing almost a sticky-sweet storyline, the poem is obviously childlike--its center of consciousness is a child."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Blake William. "The Lamb." Songs of Innocence and Experience, Copy Z. Romantic Circle High School Reader. 20 June 2008. <http://www.rc.umd.edu/rchs/rime/tygerlamb.html>.
• Blake William. "The Tyger." Songs of Innocence and Experience, Copy Z. Romantic Circle High School Reader. 20 June 2008. <http://www.rc.umd.edu/rchs/rime/tygerlamb.html>.
• Blake, William. "The Chimney-Sweeper." Archives of Classic Poems. Everypoet.com 20 June 2008. <http://www.everypoet.com/Archive/Poetry/william_blake/william_blake_songs_of_innocence_the_chimney_sweeper.htm>.
• Blake, William. "The Chimney-Sweeper." Archives of Classic Poems. Everypoet.com 20 June 2008. <http://www.everypoet.com/Archive/Poetry/william_blake/william_blake_songs_of_experience_the_chimney_sweeper.htm>.
• Wordsworth, William. "Ode: Imitations of Immorality." The Oxford Book of English Verse. Bartleby.com. < http://www.bartleby.com/101/536.html>.

More papers on The English Romantic Poets:

• Analytical Essay # 144246 : "The Poetry of William Blake"
• Book Review # 98652 : "Three Romantic Poets"
• Analytical Essay # 67064 : "Themes in British Romantic Poetry"

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