Romanticism is an important literary movement. Romanticism began in Western Europe during 17th century went on till 18th century. And the French Revolution began in 1789 is an important event that had great effect on Romanticism, influencing romantic writers and inspiring them to address themes of democracy and human rights which resulted in a complete transformation of the society.
The common people did not get enough to meet their basic needs whereas the upper-class people led a life of luxury. To equalize this difference the people got together and revolted against the king and beheaded him.
The slogan of the French revolution was “Equality, liberty, fraternity”. The spirit of the French revolution spread all over Europe, particularly in England. The theme of revolution, human existence on earth, liberty of human mind – all these aspects influenced the romantic poets like Byron, Wordsworth very much.
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The period before the beginning of French revolution was a period of monarchy. The revolution began as an attempt to create a constitutional monarchy, where the powers of the king would be limited by a parliament. And now as the revolution had begun the absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapses just in three years which brings a great transition all over France as the old feudal, aristocratic and religious privileges gets evaporated under a sustained assault from liberal political groups and the masses on the streets.
Old ideas about hierarchy and tradition succumbed to new Enlightenment principles of citizenship and inalienable rights. Of this whole inferno of French revolution there is a great influence on literature in which most prominent effect is found on Romanticism as then romanticism changes the whole thinking of man reliving him from the restrains of material world and relaxing him by taking him into a world of imagination which never had any harm on him which not only calm down his mind but also his soul, setting him free from an invisible prison that not even was factual but still it was.
A majority of the population was greatly in favor of romantic movement as they had been suffering oppression for many years. The French Revolution came, bringing with it the promise of brighter days. William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord Byron, and Percy Shelley all shared the same view of the French Revolution as it being the beginning of a change in the current ways of society and helping to better the lives of the oppressed.
Literature began to take a new turn; it got molded and took new better shapes when the revolution engulfed the whole nation, turning things in a whole new direction and above all providing freedom.
After witnessing the French Revolution, other romantic writers started to comment on the oppressive rule of their own governments and monarchs. This was especially exemplified by the English writers Lord Byron and William Wordsworth. They embraced the romantic ideals of equality and individuality, and used to find fault in the English Government.
Byron has faith in nothing. He stands for only destruction. Because of this he was not a true revolutionist and was rather “the arch-apostle of revolt, of rebellion against constituted authority.” This statement is easily defended as Byron admits that he resists authority, but offers no substitute.
This is supported by what Byron once wrote, “I deny nothing… but I doubt everything.” He then said later in life, “I have simplified politics into an utter detestation of all existing governments.” Byron believes neither in democracy nor in equality, but opposes all forms of tyranny and all attempts of rulers to control man.
In Byron’s poetry, he incorporates deep feeling, rather than deep thinking, to make his characters strong. Often, Byron portrays his characters as being in complete harmony with nature, causing the character to lose himself in the immensity of the world. The French Revolution played a huge role in shaping Byron’s beliefs and opposition to monarchy. As we will see what Lord Byron here mentioned on his works.
Poetry of Byron (1881) IV. Satiric
The Landed Interest
(Age of Bronze, Stanza 14)For what were all these country patriots born?
To hunt, and vote, and raise the price of corn?
But corn, like every mortal thing, must fall;
Kings, conquerors—and markets most of all.
And must ye fall with every ear of grain?
Byron and the French Revolution: By the time the younger Romantics came on the scene the full significance of the French Revolution was lost to the people in general. Byron was only one year old when the French Revolution broke out. Naturally he could not have the revolutionary enthusiasm of Wordsworth.
But being a true Romantic he was against all sorts of tyranny and oppression. He was deeply and abidingly influenced the revolutionary philosophy. Although the political fallout of the French Revolution was considered disastrous by Byron, yet he was impressed by its social ideas. He was a scion of a noble family yet he was against privileges. He idolized the common man in his poetry.
And the other writer is William Wordsworth. Wordsworth, however is the Romantic poet who has most profoundly felt and expressed the connection of the soul with nature. He saw great value in the immediate contact with nature.
The French Revolution helped to humanize Wordsworth as his works transitioned from extremely natural experiences to facing the realities and ills of life, including society and the Revolution. From then on, his focus became the interests of man rather than the power and innocence of nature. What he mentioned about the French Revolution on his works is.
William Wordsworth’s Poems (1815)
Reprinted from “The Friend.”
Oh! pleasant exercise of hope and joy!For mighty were the Auxiliars, which then stoodUpon our side, we who were strong in love!Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive,But to be young was very heaven!—Oh! times.
Wordsworth’s fascination and excitement with the French Revolution. Later compares the prime enchantress to democracy and reason, depicting that France is being drawn to it with word love. When the French Revolution occurred Wordsworth was only nineteen. He inhaled the invigorating air of the changed atmosphere and exclaimed: “Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, but to be young was very Heaven.
Hope for change in the government and new way of life shown through the words dawn and young. “Meagre, stale, forbidding ways” are the ideas of revolution being repressed by the monarchy. Democracy and rights are enchanting the revolutionaries. And the reason is why the people of France are fighting in this French Revolution.
Another meaning of Wordsworth poetry on other line. He says the whole earth because the French Revolution triggered rebellions across Europe. That the new government is taking over the times of the monarchy. The people of the third estate cannot even imagine a life without the monarchy and with equals right. Calm and lively were both brought into the Revolution. Wordsworth talking about the members of the privileged classes.
Describing them as a rich and cunning growing up in a world that is a like a dream to the lower classes. Minister has a connotation of religion and the government, demonstrating their alliance. Everybody reacted to the French Revolution in a different way. Some Fighting for democracy, other for constitutional monarchy.
Everyone involved and united to get rid of the monarchy. Although different people wanted various changes most groups wanted to be rid of the monarchy. Wordsworth knows that the government never becomes a democracy.
Wordsworth tended to regard the French Revolution as a matter of course. It’s seemed to him quite logical that a half starved peasantry, oppressed and ill – treated for so many years by the aristocracy, should eventually stand up and overthrow those people that had crushed it so mercilessly. Wordsworth’s attachment to the French Revolution was not simply ideological; it was emotional as well.
But the later events –the Terror and the rise of Napoleon was gagging the ideals for which the French Revolution stood. He was rudely shocked by these later events and he abandoned his revolutionary faith and sympathies. This led Browning to brand Wordsworth a turn-coat and an opportunist. But the fact remains that Wordsworth was, at that time, torn between two loyalties: his patriotic loyalty to Britain and his humanitarian loyalty to the rights of man. This confusion was treated by Wordsworth in his autobiographical poem, The Prelude in great details.
Romanticism was an age in which a group of ideas, a web of beliefs and assumptions held sway. None of the Romantic poets fully expressed all of those ideas, but each believed in enough of them to set him apart from earlier writers. The age was highly emotional as well as imaginative.
The Romantic poets acted through inspiration and intuition it is the main influenced of French Revolution. And everyone therefore believed in democracy, humanity and possibility to achieve a better life. In this ways, The French Revolution inaugurated the golden era for mankind in general.
The political thought of Rousseau remained the basis of political democrats of Europe. His famous saying, “Man is born free and he is everywhere in chains” came as a challenge to the old order. In this ways, the revolution has been seen as an impact on romantic poet of the new era.
References
- Poetry of Byron. (n.d.). Retrieved from Bartleby: https://www.bartleby.com/205/106.html
- The French Revolution as It Appeared to Enthusiasts at Its Commencement by William Wordsworth. (n.d.). Retrieved from Poetry Foundatoin: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45518/the-french-revolution-as-it-appeared-to-enthusiasts-at-its-commencement
