Romanticism – the Power of the Imagination

1. Romanticism – the Power of the Imagination By Tara Aguiar

2. A Movement of Artistic Expression • Originating in late 18th Century Europe • Emphasizes expression of emotion and imagination • Abhorred the scientific rationalization of Nature • most strongly seen in visual arts, music and literature but impacted histography, education, and natural history • Romantics were strongly involved in politics but rather enjoyed nature than civilization • Produce no artistic style or characteristic

3. The Power of Imagination and Human Experience • “Imagination is a gateway to transcendent experience and spiritual truth” • Fascinated how their moods and personalities seemed to shape individual passions and inner struggles • Investigate folk culture, social and ethical origins and the mysterious occult. • Imagine the unknown and supernatural of unexplained substances without the rationalization of the enlightenment • believed that emotions over reason and senses over intellect are what life depicts and what nature teaches.

4. Adventures of Eovaai • By Eliza Haywood and first published in 1736 • Erotic, political satire which utilizes an imaginary voyage of a woman’s romance • Uses scandal, slander and sex to expose the vices of politics • The idea of how Truth is represented and manipulated • Through the character’s personalities, the maliciousness of human nature and how it victimizes the weak and loving is revealed • “Life, like literature, is subject to authorial control.”

5. Gulliver’s Travels • By Jonathan Swift and first published in 1726 • Mainly created satirical works but made some poetry • Always published his books under an alias, fearing prosecution • He left all his possessions to a foundation of the first hospital for the psychiatrically ill in Ireland • Renowned poet Alexander Pope wrote verses on Gulliver’s Travels because he enjoyed it so much, this give new perspectives to the story • When first published Gulliver’s Travels was such a huge hit that on the first day they were out of stock. It is a four part novel

6. Differences Between Imaginations Power and its affects on Human Experience • allows the reader to delve into the author’s imaginative journey and visualize the experiences and inspirations the protagonist undertakes. • “You are no less bound by laws, than the meanest of your subjects; and that even they have a right to call you to account for any violation of them.”“Friendship and benevolence are the two principal virtues among the Houyhnhnms… they preserve decency and civility in the highest degrees… they will have it that nature teaches them to love the whole species, and it is reason only that maketh a distinction of persons, where there is a superior degree of virtue.” For the Houyhnhnms this decree was “universal to the whole race.” • allows the audience and even the authors of the texts to grow and see how romanticism wishes to express the ideas that imagination can inform, illuminate or transform human experience.

7. Differences Between Imaginations Power and its affects on Human Experience • there is a dark side in which the author, protagonist and audience must overcome to reach the “jewel” • “As he appealed to her sensuality and perfection of body, Ochihatou described his reign over the people, describing his power over them.” • “The treasurer and admiral insisted, that you should be put to the most painful and ignominious death, by setting fire to your house at night; and the general was to attend with twenty thousand men armed with poisonous arrows, to shoot you on the face and hands. Some of your servants were to have private orders to strew a poisonous juice on your shirts and sheets, which would soon make you teak your own flesh, and die in the utmost torture. The general came into the same opinion; so that for a long time there was a majority against you.”

8. Reflects or challenges a way of thinking • Imagination affects the experiences and perspectives humans have • are political and religious satires, influencing how people view their beliefs and ethics in different lights. • Eovaai reflects on the righteousness of a republic nation • challenged the ways politicians bend the truth to gain favor.

9. Techniques displaying or contrasting the power of imagination and human experience – Symbolism • “She immediately became the most beautiful white pigeon that ever was seen: That done, he gave a Blow to himself, and clapping the Wand between his Teeth, was turned into a huge Vulture; then seizing the Princess between his Talons, yet in such a manner, as not to hurt her tender Body, took Flight with her out of the Window, which he before had opened for the purpose.” • “I never beheld in all my travels so disagreeable an animal, or one against which I naturally conceived so strong an antipathy.”

10. Techniques displaying or contrasting the power of imagination and human experience – Imagery • “She had no sooner spoke these Words, than the wing’d Charioteers took their flight; and immediately brought them to a huge uncultivated Plain, where neither Tree nor Shrub was to be seen: No Cattle browz’d, nor cheerful Bird sought Food on the inhospitable Wild; but, far as the Eye cou’d reach, rough craggy Stones, and parch’d sands, confess’d a barren Soil, and an inclement Clime.” • “The land was divided by long rows of trees, not regularly planted, but naturally growing; there was a great plenty of grass, and several fields of oats.”

11. Techniques displaying or contrasting the power of imagination and human experience – Contrast • “Whatever is against Nature is against Reason; and that this is so, I think is obvious to the meanest Capacity however prejudiced by Education, or more Powerful Interest.’ • “I was indeed treated with much kindness; I was the favourite of a great king and queen, and the delight of the whole court; but it was upon such a foot as ill became the dignity of human kind.”

12. Kubla Khan • “I was indeed treated with much kindness; I was the favourite of a great king and queen, and the delight of the whole court; but it was upon such a foot as ill became the dignity of human kind.” • finds an ideal lifestyle • attached to the perfect and try to duplicate it in their own lives while others go into a depression and reflect upon the times of perfection. • This displays two aspects of the human experience, magnified by emotions and imagination.

13. This Lime Tree Bower, My Prison • “lost beauties and feelings” • . “At length the Elements, as having spent their Fury, sunk into a Calm; the Vapoursdispers’d; the blue screen again appear’d; and the bright Planet of the Universe returned to gild the Hills: Nature seem’d now recovered, and smil’d in all her works.” • through nature and self realization, find prosperity and happiness within themselves.

14. Discussion!!!  • How do Romantic Writers feel strongly with Politics and social issues, yet tend to disregard society and alienate themselves from civilisation to nature.

15. Discussion!!!  • Paradise is a key theme throughout most Romantic novels and change for different people. What are your perceptions of Paradise?