2. The Romantic Poets
William Wordsworth 1770-1850
John Keats 1795-1821
Samuel Coleridge 1772-1834
Lord Byron 1788-1824
Percy Shelley 1892-1822
William Blake 1757-1827
4. William Blake
Regarded as the “Father of the Romantics”
Born in London, where he was only schooled until the age of 10
After studying at Royal Academy in 1778, Blake became a radical poet.
His most famous works come from Songs of Innocence and its
counterpart Songs of Experience.
Two of his most highly regarded poems are“The Tyger” and “The
Lamb”
Blake was also an accomplished painter who was commissioned to
paint illustrations for Dante’s “The Divine Comedy.”
5. William Blake
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright In the forests of
the night, What immortal hand or eye Dare
frame thy fearful symmetry?
7. Samuel Coleridge
Most Famous for his works with William Wordsworth
Wrote, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” In the Lyrical Ballads
Coleridge’s main purpose in the Lyrical Ballads was the find the
EXTRAordinary in the ordinary.
Known for excessive drug use and living a wild life.
8. Samuel Coleridge
“Water, water, everywhere
And all the boards did shrink
Water, water everywhere
Nor any drop to drink.”
“The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”
10. William Wordworth
Known as the first Transcendentalist.
Was the other poet to collaborate on the Lyrical Ballads.
Much of his poetry was related to his connection with nature.
Wordsworth tried to find the ordinary in the extraordinary.
Worked very closely with Samuel Coleridge during his life.
Said that poetry should be “The spontaneous over flow of joy.”
13. Lord Byron
The most accomplished romantic poet of his time.
Worked closely with, and was great friend with, Percy and Mary Shelley.
Was exiled from England due to his support of the French Revolution along with
Percy Shelley.
One of his most famous works was, “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage.”
Felt that most men were a nuisance and preferred to be alone with nature.
Wrote many poems about solitude.
15. Percy Shelley
Shelley was a strong activist during the French Revolution
Was exiled from his home country of England.
Married a girl who was being held captive to free her from her father.
Divorced his first wife in order to marry Mary Shelley, better know as
the author of “Frankenstein.”
Wrote “Adonais” which is an epic elegy to John Keats.
Famous for his radical view points on politics considering he was from
a wealthy family.
His most famous poem is “Ozymandias.”
18. John Keats
The most celebrated of all of the Romantic Poets.
His life was filled with tragedy, as he saw his mother, sister and brother all die
from tuberculoses at a very young age.
Keats always thought he would die young in the same way his siblings did.
He was right, he died before the age of 26, only 5 years after he began writing
poetry.
Never married because of his fear of dying.
Wrote two of the most famous lines ever written…
“Beauty is truth, truth beauty. That is all ye’ know in life and all ye’ need to
know.”
19. John Keats
A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its
loveliness increases; it will never Pass
into nothingness; but still will keep A
bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of
sweet dreams, and health, and quiet
breathing.
20. Important things to remember about the Romantics.
The Romantics felt a strong connection with nature.
Many of their poems involve solitude and it’s effects of man.
Their poems are still highly regarded as some of the best
poetry every written.
The Romantics were known for often going against the rulers
and siding with the revolutionists.
They often wrote poetry to and for each other.
21. Remember, there is only one way to find out what kind of
poetry you will like!
HAVE FUN AND
READ!
