for learning purpose

1. Romantic poetry
BY M . MKHIZE

2. WHAT IS A POEM?
POEM: A piece of writing or an oral
composition, often with a metrical and
rhyme structure. In a Poem, the
expression of feelings and ideas is
typically given intensity or flavour by the
use of distinguishing diction, rhythm,
imagery and symbolism.

3. CONT…
 POET: The act of writing poetry is very old. Perhaps it is
the one of the oldest forms of literary expression.
 Thousands of years ago, in Latin (spoken in the ancient
Roman Empire), poēta meant: “a writer of verse, poet,
playwright, person of great skill” (according to the
playwright, Plautus).
 In an even older literary culture, Ancient Greece, the
verb poeion (ποιεῖν) means to create.

4. Romantic Poets
Left: William Blake;
William Wordsworth;
Centre: Charlotte Smith
Right: Elizabeth Acton; Robert
Burns

5. These poets represent the Romantic Era
in English poetry –
– that is, poetry written in English.
But what did these poets write about? NATURE:
They did not
just describe
trees, lakes,
rivers and
flowers
THE ROMANTIC
POETS’ USE OF
NATURE:
They used natural
imagery to express
strong feelings

6. REFERENCE LIST
Dr J. V. Starfield, 2016.
Romantic Poetry, Lecture 1. University of Johannesburg:
English Department