Essay on animals in romantic poetry - 566 Words

animals in romantic poetry Many Romantic poets expressed a fascination with nature in their works. Even more specific than just nature, many poets, such as William Blake, Robert Burns, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge all seemed fascinated with animals. Animals are used as symbols throughout poetry, and are also used to give the reader something to which they can relate. No matter what the purpose, however, animals played a major part in Romantic Poetry. William Blake used animals as basic building blocks for poems such as â€Å"The Lamb† and â€Å"The Tyger.† By using these carefully selected animals to depict good and evil, the reader truly understands Blake’s words. All readers can relate to animals such as an innocent lamb and a†¦show more content†¦The sight of this louse surprises the narrator, and eventually leads him to the realization that humans see themselves as perfect, judging all others. Through this louse he realizes what a power it would be to see ourselves as other see us (43) and what fools we are, pretending to be God-like (46-48). Burns uses animals in his poetry as a way of looking back at man, and seeing through another perspective. Samuel Taylor Coleridge based his narrative poem, â€Å"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,† around the sanctity of nature, especially that of the albatross, a large sea bird who was a sign of good luck to the sailors aboard the mariner’s ship. After the ancient mariner inhospitably kills their good omen, everything starts to fall apart. The mariner eventually is trapped in a solitary, never-ending penance, telling certain people his story. The people he tells however, do not appreciate the story because it points out their lack of spirituality, especially in the case of the wedding-guest. Coleridge, like Blake in â€Å"The Lamb,† relates animals and nature to Godliness. In conclusion, many Romantic poets showed a fascination with nature, and especially with animals. They used animals as symbols for many things, or for another way of viewing the world, but no matter what the use, animals played a major part in the works of Romantic poets. Bibliography: Blake, William. â€Å"The Lamb.† The Norton Anthology of EnglishShow MoreRelatedEssay How Romantic Was William Blake?1517 Words   |  7 Pages The time period typically associated with the Romantic Poets and writers was one of the most turbulent to hit Europe ever. With the French Revolution sweeping the fields of Alsace, Lorraine and beyond, most monarchs, including those in England were wary of the new notions that were becoming common place among the commoners. Not since the Reformation of the 16th century was the continent in more turmoil. Yet with this build up of angst came a fertile bed for a new style of writing to grow inRead MoreJohn Keats Poetry Analysis864 Words   |  4 Pagesbecome a poet. 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