The “Big Six” English Romantic poets
William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, John Keats, Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and William Blake—defined the era (roughly 1790–1850) with themes of nature, intense emotion, individualism, and the supernatural. Key figures also include Robert Burns, John Clare, and Felicia Hemans.
Key Romantic Poets & Their Famous Works
William Wordsworth (1770–1850): Known for Lyrical Ballads and The Prelude, he focused on nature and common life.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834): Co-author of Lyrical Ballads, famous for The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
John Keats (1795–1821): Renowned for his vivid imagery in poems like Ode on a Grecian Urn and Ode to a Nightingale.
Other Significant Romantic Figures
- Robert Burns (1759–1796): Scottish poet known for A Red, Red Rose and Auld Lang Syne.
- John Clare (1793–1864): Celebrated for his intimate descriptions of the English countryside.
- Felicia Hemans (1793–1835): A prominent female poet of the era, known for Casabianca.
Key Themes of Romantic Poetry
- Nature: Seen as a spiritual force and refuge.
- Emotion & Imagination: Prioritized over logic and reason.
- Individualism: Focus on personal experience and the inner self.
- The Supernatural: Frequent exploration of mystical themes.
Refernces
1. Lord Byron
Phillips, T. (1813).[Painting]. National Portrait Gallery. www.npg.org.ukCurran, A. (1819).[Painting]. National Portrait Gallery. www.npg.org.uk
Vandyke, P. (1795). [Painting]. National Portrait Gallery. https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw01396/Samuel-Taylor-Coleridge
Phillips, T. (1807). [Painting]. National Portrait Gallery. https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw00609/William-Blake
