Romantic Period 1770-1850 Flashcards
What does the Romantic Period place emphasis on compared to Neo-classism?
Places emphasis on imagination, emotion and subjectivity compared to structure, restraint, and objectivity
What does the Romantic Period draw inspiration from compared to Neo-classism?
Draws inspiration from Medieval and Baroque periods compared to Classical era’s (Greek and Roman)
What themes does the Romantic Period focus on compared to Neo-classism?
Themes of nature, legends and pastoral life rather than Greek and Roman history, restraint and courage
What tone does the Romantic Period use compared to Neo-classism?
Emulating a spontaneous sometimes moody tone rather than a calm and rational tone.
What criticism already occurred before the Romantic Period and what did it pave the way for?
Criticism had already begun to stress elements of the play that would cause Hamlet to be seen as the epitome of a tragic character
Who sounded the first key notes of Romantic criticism of Hamlet as a tragic character?
William Richardson (1774) : Hamlet as a sensitive and accomplished prince with an unusual refined moral sense, he is nearly incapacitated by the horror of the truth about his mother and Uncle’s relationship
Where did William Richardson believe the play should have ended and what impact does this have?
He argued the play should have ended after the closet scene and saw the play after as a dramatisation of a sensitive individual and a calloused,seamy world
How did Henry Mackenzie note the tradition of Hamlet as the most varied of Shakespeares creations?
“With the strongest purposes of revenge he is irresolute and inactive; amidst the gloom of the deepest melancholy he is gay and jocular; and while he is described as a passionate lover he seems indifferent about the object of his affections.”
How does Mackenzie, like Richardson, conclude rhe tragedy of Hamlet arises from his nature?
Even the best qualities of his character merely reinforce his inability to cope with the world in which he has been placed
How does Thomas Robertson support Mackenzie’s view that Hamlet is unable to cope with the world in which he is placed?
In particular he is unable to cope with the devastating impact of the death of his father
By the end of the eighteenth century what had replaced the strictly rhetorical criticism of neoclassical critique of Shakespeares language which had become moribund?
Psychological and textual criticism
Who, arguably, gave the most extensive criticism of Shakespeare’s language during the Romantic Period?
Hugh Blair
