Elements of Victorian Poetry
Victorian poetry is a form of poetry from the United Kingdom, written during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). It is characterized by its length and complexity, as well its innovative use of language, imagery and metaphor. In this era, poets experimented with a variety of forms and had the confidence to tackle a variety of topics, from social struggles to nature’s beauty. More so than other forms of poetry, Victorian poetry was often written in the form of narrative, with each poem containing its own story.
Victorian poets worked to capture the Zeitgeist of the age, embracing both traditional and experimental styles. They often wrote with a sense of patriotism and nostalgia, and their work often reflected the political and social climates of the day. They explored a myriad of themes, from love and loss to the impact of technology. This is evidenced in the works of Alfred Tennyson, who wrote about these topics in his famous poem, “The Lady of Shalott.” Another key element of Victorian poetry was its sense of realism and realism was often a central feature.
Victorian poets embraced a variety of literary techniques, from alliteration and assonance to form and meter. Imagery and metaphor also played an important role in their works. In fact, Victorian poets often used vivid imagery to communicate complex themes, such as the power of human emotions or the battle between the industrial and the natural worlds. This is seen in the romantic works of John Keats, who wrote of starry-eyed love and an idealistic view of life.
Victorian poets often wrote in a Romantic style, meaning they focused on the emotions and feelings of the speaker instead of facts and details. This often resulted in an emphasis on love, nature and religion. Epic poems such as Charles Dickens’ “The Taming of the Shrew” explored the themes of power and justice, and how it applies to all aspects of life. Other Victorian poets, like Robert Browning, focused on social issues such as poverty and gender disparities, often resulting in descriptive works that got to the heart of the matter.
Victorian poets, including those from the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, also wrote to express their ideas on art, literature and politics. Along with looking at societal issues, poets such as William Wordsworth often wrote about the beauty of nature and the idea of an idealized romanticized vision of life. Poetry at this time was often more than just a form of written expression, but also a form of public discourse, allowing for poets to communicate their thoughts and feelings to a wider audience. Some of the greatest works, such as Arthur Rimbaud’s “A Season in Hell,” firmly established Victorian poetry as a significant part of British literature.
Romantic Influences on Victorian Poetry
The Romantic period of literature and art profoundly impacted the development of Victorian poetry. After the industrial and technological revolutions, many poets felt the need to move away from the strict forms of poetry. This movement away from rules led to a new poetic style: Romanticism. Romanticism allowed poets to express their individual styles and perspectives more readily in their poetry, often utilizing more imaginative and meaningful language. The Romantic movement was associated with several movements and aspects of 19th century Western culture, including the increasing interest in spirituality and the occult, an interest in nature (often as a beacon of hope) and a focus on strong emotions and intense sentimentality.
The most famous Romantic poet, William Wordsworth, wrote poems addressing a broad range of topics and ideas. His works, such as “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey” and “The World is Too Much with Us,” embodied the emotions of the Romantic period. His works, as well as those of other Romantics such as Samuel Taylor Coleridge and John Keats, influenced many of the Victorian poets, leading to an influx of strong emotions and sentiments in Victorian poetry.
Romantic influences can be seen in the Victorian works of Alfred Tennyson, Robert Browning and Matthew Arnold. All three incorporated a certain idealism or sense of nostalgia into their work, reflecting the Romantic ideals of a simpler way of life in an increasingly industrial and materialistic society. Their works often expressed a reverence for nature, while lamenting the state of the modern world.
The Romantic’s influence on the Victorians also included a strong sense of nationalism which was shown in works such as Alfred Lord Tennyson’s “The Charge of the Light Brigade.” The poem focused on a British military campaign and evoked a sense of heroism and patriotism. Other works by Tennyson, like “Ulysses,” also had such patriotic tones with its focus on the legendary hero’s courage and desire to explore the unknown.
The Victorian poets also echoed Romantic ideals on the concept of the individual and their role in society. This resonates in Matthew Arnold’s “Dover Beach,” a poem about a man struggling to cope with the overwhelming realities of modern life, juxtaposed with the ever-changing tides of the English Channel. This poem served as a poignant exploration of the individual’s place in the modern world.
The Social Impact of Victorian Poetry
Victorian poetry had a significant social impact during its time and the effects are still felt today. During the period, the works of Victorian poets served as a vehicle for social commentary, providing a unique platform on which authors could express their opinion without fear of censorship.
The notable poets of this era used their works to call attention to social issues, such as poverty and inequality, while also exploring personal and moral issues. Their works were often used as a way to encourage the public to think critically and to make changes to the oppressive, class-based society of the era.
The works of female authors, such as the Bronte sisters, provided a powerful feminist commentary, exploring how sexism and patriarchal values shaped women’s lives. This is especially evident in Emily Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights,” which explores how male-dominated traditional values can lead to tragedy in a woman’s life.
The works of many Victorian poets also acted as a response to the industrial revolution, a modernizing force that left many feeling disillusioned and helpless. Poets such as John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley used their works to express their concerns about the newly industrialized world, often citing nature as the only pure and meaningful thing in the universe.
Today, the works of Victorian poets are still relevant and have continued to influence generations of readers. Their works are still studied and often serve as a source of inspiration. Though times have changed, the social issues and concerns explored by Victorian poets remain relevant, often serving as an important reminder of the progress that still needs to be made in society.
Symbolism in Victorian Poetry
Victorian poetry often utilized symbolism to convey a deeper meaning to readers. Symbolism refers to the use of symbols to represent ideas or concepts, such as God and angels, the moon and stars, or faith and hope. By using symbols, poets are able to imbue their works with hidden meanings, often using the symbols to tell a story on their own. This can be seen in works such as Alfred Tennyson’s “The Lady of Shalott,” which contains several symbols such as a mirror, a curse and a web to convey a sense of fate, longing and despair.
Symbols can also provide a more poetic and dreamlike quality to a poem. Many of John Keats’ works contain symbols that help to create a languid, romantic atmosphere. This is especially true of “Ode to a Nightingale,” which utilizes the nightingale as a symbol of the passing of time and the fading beauty of life. In “The Lotos-Eaters,” Tennyson also used a lotus plant as a symbol of escapism, creating a sense of longing for a far-away paradise.
Symbols can also be used to comment on social or political issues. In “In Memoriam A.H.H.,” the reference to Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s best friend Hallam, who died of a fever during his travels, serve as a symbol of death and its tragic effects on those who have been left behind. These powerful images serve as a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the need to cherish each moment.
The use of symbolism in Victorian poetry also reflects the Romantic sentiment that nature is a source of knowledge, beauty and peace. Tennyson’s “The Splendour Falls” uses the imagery of afternoon showers and twilight to evoke a sense of peace and calm. Shelley’s “Mont Blanc: Lines Written In The Vale Of Chamouni” similarly uses his observations of the beautiful landscape to convey a sense of awe and inspiration.
Narrative and Metaphor in Victorian Poetry
Narrative and metaphor are two of the most common techniques used by Victorian poets to convey meaning in their work. A narrative refers to a story or a poem that follows a logical sequence, often with a beginning, middle and end. Victorian poems typically employed long, complex narratives to explore a variety of themes such as love, loss, nature and mortality.
The use of metaphor, a comparison of two unlike things that doesnt use the words like or as, was a popular stylistic device among the Victorian poets. A metaphor acts as a tool to add complexity to a poem by juxtaposing two seemingly different concepts. This allows the poet to explore themes more in-depth, while often playing on the reader’s emotions. Many of Alfred Tennyson’s works contain metaphors of nature, exploring the power of emotion to transform and transcend. Elizabeth Barrett Browning, another Victorian poet, often used metaphors to explore the complex emotions that can accompany love and loss.
Narrative and metaphor serve as two important tools, allowing the Victorian poets to tell stories and explore themes more deeply. These devices were often used to illustrate larger points about life or society and to add emotion to the poem. By employing both narrative and metaphor, the Victorian poets were able to create thoughtful and compelling works that still resonate with readers today.
Stylistic Features of Victorian Poetry
Victorian poets often combined traditional forms of poetry with innovative technology, resulting in a unique style of poetry. A majority of the poems written at this time utilized meter, rhyme and alliteration to guide the flow of their works. Poets such as Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning commonly employed these features to create their own unique styles.
Victorian poets often wrote in blank verse, which is an unrhymed type of iambic pentameter. This allowed them to create works with a robust and dynamic structure which provided an excellent platform to express their unique perspectives.
The use of language was also a distinctive trait in Victorian poetry. Victorian poets often used figurative language and vivid imagery to create powerful and moving works. They favored the use of tropes, such as irony and paradox, to add depth to their ideas and to play on the readers’ emotions.
Victorian poetry was often highly introspective and personal in nature, reflecting the individual poets’ conflicts and struggles. By utilizing their own unique styles, Victorian poets left a lasting impression on the genre, creating works that are still studied and admired today.
Legacy of Victorian Poetry
The works of the Victorian poets have influenced generations of readers and writers, and their works continue to shape modern poetry and literature. The works of Alfred Tennyson, Robert Browning and Matthew Arnold particularly contributed to the evolution of the genre and their works have served as important muses for generations of poets.
Some of the most prominent Modernist poets, such as T.S Eliot and W.B Yeats, were
