Artistic Movement: Victorian Poetry - Research Paper Example

Victorian Poetry Introduction Victorian poetry explains British poetic compositions created in the period of Queen Victoria’s rule, between 1837 and 1901. It should also be observed that Irish compositions are incorporated in the British poetry category. Works of this period are tremendously distinct, which to some extent may be accounted for by different technological advancements and progressing industrialization (Abrams 108). As a result, Victorian poetry cannot be said to stand for a sole artistic movement, but compositions of this period illustrate a development away from Romanticism, and indicate modernism. In addition, the Victorian poets questioned the themes and forms of their forerunners, the Romantics, and developed works that brought forward significant interest during that period up to today. Consequently, there is a large amount of compositions with regard to the Victorian poets and their creations. Most significant compositions concentrate on the foremost Victorian poets such as Alfred Tennyson, Matthew Arnold, Algernon Charles Swinburne, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and Alfred Hugh Clough. Nonetheless, existing research concentrates on female poets, for example, Christina Rossetti and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Moreover, there has also been an escalation in the assessment of themes all through Victorian poetry (Stedman and Gilbert 26). This paper will explain what Victorian poetry is by looking at the period in which it occurred, contributions of a number of writers, and characteristics of the Victorian poetry. Change is the most significant component to the Victorian England society and existence. Everything that the preceding periods had perceived to be indisputable and sacred fact came under attack in the mid and later periods of the nineteenth century. Almost all institutions of society were going through an unpredictable and fast transformation. For a number of people, the essential changes happening in the universe signified advancement, and were a source of hope and optimism (Stedman and Gilbert 26). However, for a large number of thinkers and writers, the inequality experienced in Victorian society was a form of ailment that would reach a tipping point sooner or later. Numerous intellects made it their business to condemn any form of injustices arising from the terrifying and new world. Poets such as Thomas Carlyle fought against the organized abuse he witnessed taking place all around him. He viewed the industrial revolution and machinery as components of devastation, stripping individuals of their very existence. In one of his works, He asserts, “A man perfects himself by working. Foul jungles are cleared away, fair seed-fields rise instead, and stately cities; and withal the man himself first ceases to be a jungle, and foul unwholesome desert.” Moreover, the degree of immediate relevancy and social consciousness an individual discovers in much of Victorian poetry was a phenomenon never seen before in English works (Stedman and Gilbert 27). Novelists and Poets of this period decided to openly tackle the imperative social issues of the day. For instance, “The Cry of the Children” by Elizabeth Barrett-Browning signifies a criticism of England’s mining activities, particularly the recruitment of minors to work in deep mines. In addition, Victorian poetry was a significant era in the history of poetry, giving the connection between the modernist movement of the 20th century and the Romantic Movement. Victorian poetry kept to the Romantic Movement, and is signified by darker subjects and qualities. Victorian poetry is also self-defining. In addition, Victorian poets were successors to the Romantics, and a large number of the generalities regarding Romantic poetry are still present, for example, focus on the mysterious and the occult, skepticism, and mistrust of structured religion. In situations where Romantics argued that the conventional image of God was not present, Victorian writers were more probable to poses a scientific belief of the absence of God. “In Memoriam” has Alfred Tennyson’s examination of his views of the developing scientific ideas of his time. (Reenblatt and Abrams 1138) Tennyson asserts,” Are God and Nature then at strife, / That Nature lends such evil dreams?” in stanza fifty-five. He seems dejected by the conflict between science and religion, and speculates on his own the reasons nature is giving arguably evil and strange notions through science. Generally, typical Victorian works are remarkably considerate to verse, illustrate some sappiness, and frequently utilize chivalric themes. In addition, Victorian poets frequently created dramatic monologues and classic poems. Also, the rhyme form was often utilized. A number of Victorian poetry considers philosophical changes taking place in the 19th century. The shift from Romanticism to Victorianism is highly visible in a discount for free verse and a return to elaborately and highly structured rhyming poems. The characteristics of Victorian poetry may be less considered as a form of romantic poetry in association with the pursuit to have authority and knowledge. In view of both professor Catherine Robson and Carol Christ in “The Victorian Age”, Victorian poetry shares a number of characteristics...It tends to be pictorial, using detail to construct visual images that represent the emotion or situation the poem concerns.” (Reenblatt and Abrams 997). Therefore, to a great extent, Victorian poems utilize words that may beatify and personify nature as is seen. This will make it simpler for the readers to attach themselves to nature and connect with it. Victorian poetry is associated with a number of characteristics. One, Victorian poetry is harsh and realistic. The foremost theme that is contemplated by numerous poets of this era is the social injustices taking place in the universe. Therefore, this form of poetry was introduced to substitute the romanticized form of poetry that individuals did not appreciate. Therefore, these concerns were highlighted in a much calmer and easier manner in the Victorian poetry. Two, Victorian poetry takes in hand realistic and serious subjects. The leadership of Queen Victoria corresponded with grave and significant offences occurring all over the universe (Vann 47). Therefore, this form of writing was created to deal with such realistic and serious subjects, for example, slavery, child labor, and other social issues that were taking place all over the world. Victorian poetry contains a reform element instead of an entertaining characteristic as the compositions are designed to inform individuals and attempt to modify them from their conventional ways of accomplishing things. Three, Victorian poetry highlights the progression of society. A large number of the poets of this era were clustered on the romanticism part of the poetry while other significant elements were not remembered. The ascent of Victorian poetry was meant to deal with issues affecting the society and cause reforms to society and lead to a society that is not carefree of social reform (John 23). This component is swiftly available for Tennyson. In “Tears, Idle Tears” from “The Princess” Tennyson claims that the tears “Rise in the heart, and gather to the eyes, / In looking on the happy autumn-fields, / And thinking of the days that are no more.” (Reenblatt and Abrams 1135). Four, Victorian poetry is pictorial. This form of poetry tends to highlight visual images illustrating the situations or emotions. Unlike other known poems, Victorian poetry highly utilized imagery. Finally, Victorian poetry employs sensory elements. The sensory elements are fairly elaborative in this form of poetry as they establish a sense of image that may not be physically observed or seen but rather in the audience’s mind. The utilization of sensory elements illustrates a larger competition between science and reality. There are a number of themes that are included in the Victorian poems, for example, child abuse, education, and slavery, which are sufficiently addressed. Victorian poems and the characteristics illustrated in the compositions, demonstrate to a large degree the realism of existence during that period. Conclusion Victorian poems tend to be idealized representations of challenging existence in which love, perseverance, luck and hard work become victorious in the end. This signifies that those who commit wrong are punished appropriately while virtue is compensated. Victorian poetry tended to be of a civilizing type with a fundamental moral lesson at the center. Nevertheless, this technique formed the foundation for much of previous Victorian writing; the condition became extra complicated as the time passed. In addition, Victorian Poetry is perceived to be realistic and harsher. This is because during the Victorian period individuals became conscious of the severe social injustices that were taking place, hence a large number of individuals did not have a liking for the romanticized form of society. In addition, the features of Victorian poetry attempted to have a look at the realism of existence making sacrifices of expressions that will assist in transforming the society into a healthier area to reside in. Moreover, existing actualities of life are incorporated in the Victorian poetry unlike other forms of poetry that are highly interested with the worship of nature and love. The plight of the marginalized and the less privileged in society is addressed and manners of dealing with it is put forward through the Victorian poetry. Therefore, Victorian poetry is utilized as a way of connecting the opposing sides of life. Victorian poetry signifies the transformation of society from the relaxed views of Romanticism to a position of reform and social responsiveness. Nonetheless, scholarly critics presume the most appropriate way to typify Victorian poetry is to view it as varied and not as containing a sole poetic style. Works Cited Abrams, M. H. Glossary of Literary Terms. New York: Harcourt, 1999. Print. John B. L. “Victorian Poetry.” West Virginia University 51.1-4 (2006). Print. Reenblatt, S., and Abrams, M. H. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. 18th ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2006. Print.  Stedman, J. W., and Gilbert, W. S. A Classic Victorian & His Theatre. New York: Oxford University Press, 1996. Print. Vann, J. D. Comic Periodicals, Victorian Periodicals & Victorian Society. Aldershot: Scholar Press, 1994. Print. Read More