Romanticism
Romanticism is not directly a political concept, but more so an intellectual concept that reason cannot explain everything. This characterized many works of literature, painting, music, architecture, criticism and historiography in Western civilization over a period from the late 18th, to mid-19th century.

Theorist’s Detail –
The Romantic era was an artistic, literary and intellectual movement in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries. It focused on the expression of intense emotion, and the sublimity of nature. It isn’t surprising that almost all of the famous Romantic philosophers had similar ideas.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge –
Coleridge is considered to be one of the heavyweights of Romantic literature. His poems directly and deeply influenced almost all other poets of the time. He is particularly important as he is considered as the creator of “conversational poetry”. He believed that poetry should be an intense expression of emotion, an idea shared with all other great Romantic philosophers.
William Wordsworth –
Along with Coleridge, he launched the Romantic age in English literature with their joint publication, Lyrical Ballads. He stated that Romanticism is “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings”. He believed in the sublime power of nature, and used this idea to shape the idea of Romanticism.
John Keats –
A strong figure in the second generation of Romantic philosophers. He was most renowned for his strong belief in sensual imagery. He is most famous for his series of short poems, known as “Odes”, in which he uses vivid imagery to describe the sublimity of nature.

CONTEXT

The late 18th Century in Germany and England marked the beginning of the literary movement, the Romantic period. By early 19th Century this movement had started its progression through Europe. The world at this time was undergoing rapid change and would never be the same again; there were fears that Napoleon would invade England, the Industrial Revolution was causing great social upheaval, and the American and French Revolutions were causing havoc.
The Romantic poets questioned the beliefs and values of the time, basically rebelling against the established rules and conventions. They placed tremendous importance on nature and the natural world, they valued imagination over reason, and emotions over logic. Their poems could transport their readers to a better place and time, away from the unpleasant realities of everyday life.

ELEMENTS OF ROMANTISM

Nature is a significant theme in Romantic poetry. The Romantics viewed nature as something pure and unspoiled, having a religious, spiritual quality. Their belief that the natural world should be respected and valued by all humanity was so significant that its influence is still evident in society today.

A Poison Tree is a short poem published in 1794 as a part of William Blake’s “Songs of Experience” collection. It highlights a large majority of key Romantic ideals in its short sixteen lines. The poem primarily investigates repressed emotions, leading to their dramatic expression, as well as the ideas of anger