What is the special significance of these years in English literary or political history? ( MEG 102 ) ( THE ROMANTIC MOVEMENT )

The period of the late 18th century and mid-19th century, which is generally considered as the Romantic period in English literature, was marked by significant literary and political developments.

In literary terms, this period was characterized by a focus on individualism, emotion, and imagination, and a rejection of the rationalism and classical ideals of the previous Enlightenment era. Romantic writers explored themes of nature, love, spirituality, and the supernatural, and experimented with new forms and structures in poetry, fiction, and drama.

In political terms, this period was marked by the American and French revolutions, which challenged traditional power structures and led to the spread of democratic ideals and the rise of nationalism. The Industrial Revolution also had a significant impact on society, transforming the economy and leading to urbanization and social change.

These political and social developments had an impact on literature, as writers responded to the changing world around them and explored new ideas and perspectives in their works. The Romantic period saw the emergence of major literary figures such as William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Lord Byron, who produced some of the most enduring works of English literature.