the romantic era in history

so lately in class, we have been exploring the romantic era - mainly poetry - throughout history. english being my major, it is no wonder i have fallen completely head over heals in love with this period in time.

if you take a look at the breakdown of the romantic era, it it no wonder why it has swept me off my feet. originating in the second half of the 18th century (1780 to 1850 to be exact), the romantic era, which followed a period of strict laws, structure and physics, focused on the simplicity and beauty of nature, the world and emotions. emotions and the focus on the self was a huge part of the romantic era. the romantics opposed war, and the very nature of idustrial society. they believed that such society robbed individuals of their ability to think freely and be unique in thought. the romantic era saw the likes of william blake, william wordsworth, mary shelly, john keats, to name just a few. the facination with emotions can clearly be seen in blakes poem, entitled "london" (see below) blake is concerned with the way in which moral thinking, and the human mind has been influenced and corrupted by society’s power over what people are allowed to think and believe.

I wander thro' each charter'd street,
Near where the charter'd Thames does flow,
And mark in every face I meet
Marks of weakness, marks of woe.

In every cry of every Man,
In every Infant's cry of fear,
In every voice, in every ban,
The mind-forg'd manacles I hear.

How the Chimney-sweeper's cry
Every black'ning Church appalls;
And the hapless Soldier's sigh
Runs in blood down Palace walls.

But most thro' midnight streets I hear
How the youthful Harlot's curse
Blasts the new born Infant's tear,
And blights with plagues the Marriage hearse.

blake is concerned about the way in which the human minds are influnced and inhibited to think freely, due to societies influence over the individuals thought. a classical example of what romantic poets were concerned with during this time - they were speaking out against this lack of freedom of thought, and rather encouraging individuality.

which is why i love this era so much. if you look at todays world, not much has changed. everyday, we allow society, the media to tell us what is beautiful and what is acceptable. everyday we allow them to have control over our thoughts and ultimately our happiness. i believe, as i have said before, that we are the only ones who have control over what we think and believe. no one has the ability to climb inside your mind and think for you. society and the media are just there to make you feel worse about yourself, and encourage you to buy some fake-ass product that will make you feel 'prettier', 'happier', 'thinner', blah blah blah - its rubbish. you as an individual are beautiful beyond words. there is no one else in the world who has your thoughts, your intellect and your beauty.

love yourself, appreciate your individuality and marvel at your entire being. you are gorgeous and that alone should make you happy.

happiness is key to life, remember - don't allow anyone to take that away from you.