Political Ideals In The Poetry Of English Romantic Writers

Abstract

This study examines the political ideals embedded in the poetry of major English Romantic writers, focusing on
William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Percy Bysshe Shelley, John Keats, and Lord Byron. The research
investigates how these poets responded to the tumultuous political landscape of the late 18th and early 19th
centuries, particularly the French Revolution and its aftermath, the Industrial Revolution, and the conservative
backlash in Britain. Through close textual analysis of selected poems and contextual historical examination, this
study identifies key political themes including liberty, social justice, anti-imperialism, and challenges to
institutional authority. The findings reveal that while Romantic poets shared certain political ideals, they
expressed and developed these concerns in distinct ways shaped by their personal experiences, philosophical
leanings, and changing historical circumstances. This research contributes to our understanding of how Romantic
poetry functioned as a vehicle for political discourse during a pivotal period in European history and
demonstrates the enduring relevance of Romantic political thought to contemporary discussions of liberty,
equality, and human rights