Early English Literature and Romanticism: Key Figures and Concepts

Caedmon: The First Known English Poet

Caedmon is considered the first English poet. While no original manuscripts of his work survive, we know of him through the writings of Bede, a historian who lived a century later. In his historical accounts, Bede included a monk named Caedmon and introduced a fragment of one of his poems, known as "Caedmon's Hymn" in Old English.

Caedmon lived in a monastery and was illiterate. According to Bede, he had a dream in which a man instructed him to sing. Though initially hesitant, Caedmon began composing poems based on what he heard in his dreams. He was also believed to possess prophetic abilities.

Caedmon used poetry to spread Christianity and was imitated by other monks. His work shared formal characteristics with the poetry of the Scots, and he employed the same vocabulary used to praise kings to honor Christian figures. A cross stands in his memory.

The Faerie Queene: An Epic by Edmund Spenser

Edmund Spenser aspired to write an epic poem, a genre he felt was lacking in English literature. He aimed to emulate Virgil and the Aeneid. Spenser planned to compose 24 parts, mirroring Homer's works, but he was unable to complete the project. The Faerie Queene is divided into 12 poems, with the intention of writing 12 more, though only six were completed.

Many poets of the time dedicated their works to Queen Elizabeth I, who provided political stability and was believed to be a descendant of Aeneas. In the Aeneid, Aeneas is portrayed as a virtuous and elderly man. One of Aeneas's descendants, Brutus, is said to have sailed to England. King Arthur, a descendant of Brutus, is linked to Queen Elizabeth I.

Given the political instability of the Tudor reign, the presence of a strong monarch like Elizabeth was seen as a blessing, justifying her prominence in Spenser's work.

Defense of Poesie: Philip Sidney's Argument for Poetry

Sir Philip Sidney's Defense of Poesie is a work written in prose. During this period, Puritans attacked poetry, considering it improper and immoral. Sidney wrote his Defense in response to these criticisms.

Sidney argued that poetry is the oldest form of literature, citing examples of prose within the Bible. He believed that poetry teaches and delights by crafting stories with moral messages or principles. Compared to philosophy, which he found boring, and history, which often depicts tragedy, Sidney saw poetry as a means to present a more idealized and better society.

General Characteristics of Romanticism

Neoclassical literature emphasized reason, rationality, order, and balance. In contrast, Romantic literature represented a radical shift, particularly among young people. Romantic poetry focused on feelings, emotions, instincts, imagination, and individual experience. It stood in opposition to reason and rationality.

Influenced by works like the Aeneid, Romanticism gained significant prestige. Readers, initially scandalized, embraced the movement's emphasis on imagination and originality. Key characteristics of Romanticism include:

• Interest in Nature: Romantics sought to be part of nature, experiencing its energy.
• Organic Unity: This concept, derived from Germanic Romanticism, emphasized the union between man and nature.
• Critique of Industrialization: Wordsworth, for example, criticized the negative impact of the Industrial Revolution and the construction of factories.
• Symbolism: Red was associated with rebellious poets, while green represented ecology.
• Metaphorical Explosions: This term described the sudden burst of ideas when something breaks in the mind.
• Connection between Poetry and Music: Romantics valued harmony, rhythm, and the musicality of nature, often comparing it to the Aeolian lyre.

Emerson and the Transcendentalist Movement

Ralph Waldo Emerson, a contemporary of Wordsworth, shared many of the same ideals as the Romantic poets. He advocated for a connection with nature, famously stating, "Go into Nature and you'll find God."