Pre-Romanticism

Pre-Romanticism• Preromanticism covers the years from approximat

ely the middle of the eighteenth century to the early 1790s.

• In this period rigid notions about style and the absolute authority of religion and science began to yield to an emphasis on personal thoughts and feelings, often triggered by observation of nature. Before that people thought of themselves mainly according to their set roles in society rather than as individuals.

• Interest in the uniqueness of individuals also extended into respect for folk culture, and an area that gained great attention was the collection and preservation of folk songs. Robert Burns, for example, devoted much of his later life to transcribing and editing old Scottish airs.

• Two representative poets:Robert Burns William Blake