Title: THE ROMANTIC PERIOD

PRQ:

Honors The Romantic Movement claimed a new freedom and power for the artist, that the human imagination was the creator not only of art but also of the world we inhabit.  The poetry of this period explores and questions just how far this claim can be sustained: What are the possibilities and limits of imagination and romance?  When does it become isolating and deceptive?  Some of this excitement in all the arts was a product of the modern secularizing wave of progress that swept Europe after the French Revolution. All the arts, philosophy, and many social and political institutions were changed forever in ways that are still with us today. We will explore these themes through a close study of the major poems of Blake, Coleridge, Wordsworth, Smith, Keats, Shelley, and Byron.  Lecture and discussion.  Romantic poetry is among the most beautiful and exciting poetry in our language; it is, however, often difficult.  The course, not intended as an introduction to poetry, may be difficult for those with no experience reading poetry.  It is intended primarily for juniors and seniors in the Honors Program.

Close and careful reading of the poetry.  Class attendance and participation. Reading quizzes and two (6-8pg.) papers. 

Anthology of romantic poetry to be assigned. Only this text will be permitted, and it will be available in VCB. No e-texts or online reading permitted here. Only paper books will be the objects of our study.