Impact of French Revolution on the Romantics
The French Revolution (1798) left a powerful impact on the literature of the Romantic Period in English Literature. To an overwhelming extent the history of the time is the record of the effects of the French Revolution. The Romantics, especially the poets were bewitched by such ideas of the French Revolution as — liberty, equality and fraternity. Wordsworth, Coleridge, Scott, Shelley and Byron all came under the direct influence of the French Revolution and their works were coloured by the democratic ideas of the French Revolution.
Wordsworth
The French Revolution exerted strong influence on Wordsworth. He felt elated and exhilarated at the thought of liberty, equality and fraternity upheld by the French Revolution. So much was the enthusiasm of the poet that he was even prepared to ally himself with the Girondins – one of the Revolutionary parties. But the horrible carnage and bloodshed filled his mind with disgust with the revolutionists. He expressed his state of mind in The Prelude.
He turned from politics and by slow degrees found his way back to poetry. His sister, Dorothy and Coleridge helped him greatly in the restoration of faith. It has been well said: “At the beginning of every revolution men hope, for they think of all that mankind may gain in a new world; in its next phase they fear, for they think of what mankind may lose.” This was the case with the French Revolution. The elder writers of the period, with Wordsworth and Coleridge as conspicuous examples, hailed the new era with joy.
Then as the Revolution proceeded to unexpected developments, there came in turn disappointment, disillusion, dejection, despair. This turnaround was quite noticeable in the case of Wordsworth. The young writers like Shelly, Keats though adhered to the Revolutionary ideas but the warmth of the early period of the revolution was missing in later on.
Coleridge
Coleridge also was attracted at first by the ideas of the French Revolution; but later he was repelled by the excess of the Revolution. He shunned of the Revolutionary ideals due to excess of gory experiences and concentrated on his writings.
Byron
Byron was greatly affected by the French Revolution. His poetry voices the many moods of the spirit of the French Revolution. He himself fought for the cause of Greek liberty and died as a martyr in defending it.
Shelly
Shelly was the inheritor and exponent of the ideas of the French Revolution. The Revolution made Shelley rise in revolt against all the established institutions that meant to suppress mankind in any part of the world. The Revolt of Islam marks the highest point of influence exercised by the French Revolution on the mind of Shelley. He hoped for better future prospects in his poems like Ode to the West Wind with zeal of the Revolutionary ideals.
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