Poets of the Early Victorian Period

1. 

  1. The popular name of the Early victorian age were namely Tennyson, Browning etc.

  2. a) After the passing of the younger romantic poets.

b) high romantics subsided.

c) quieter mood ensured.

  1. a) Here appeared a host of moderate talent like.

b) John Cleare, Thomson love peacock, Thomes Hood and many more.

c) As a result literature fell into the hands of mediocrities.

d) From 1820 to 1833 literature was average.

e) Only after the publication of the important work by Tennyson in 1833 that literature took a 

    turn.

  1. And the period found its identity in 1842.

  2. a) The early poetry of the Early Victorian age was developed with romanticism but with a 

    difference.

b) These poets did not revolt against the conventional mode.

c) But had their own convention.

d)  1) The poets undoubtedly were inspired by the past but

      2) Under the spell of science moved forward then backwards.

      3) Browning remarked on this age: “The best is yet to come”.

  1. a) Tennyson found spiritual consolation:

b) “One far-off divine went to which the whole creation moves”.

  1. a) Faith becomes a reality in progress.

b) This becomes the main characteristic of age.

  1. Unfortunately, doubt scepticism and questioning become the main characteristic of the later Victorian age.


2.

  1. Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892)

  1. Wordsworth said of Tennyson “decidedly the greatest of our living poets”.

  2. Tennyson is the most representative of the Victorian age.

  3. His poetry is a record of the intellectual and spiritual life of his time.

  4. a) He was a careful student of science and philosophy.

b) Thus he was deeply impressed by the discoveries.

c) He was aware of the religious orthodox that was giving rise to doubts.

  1. Darwin’s theory of the “struggle for existence” and “the survival of the littlest” upset the religious faith.

  2. This gave rise to conflict between -

  1. Science and religion.

  2. Doubt and faith

  3. Materialism and spirituality are “in memories” also.

  1.  a) Alfred Tennyson was undoubtedly a great lover of nature

 b) But he believed in evolution.

  1.  a) He looked beyond, beyond the struggle towards,

 b) “One far off divine event to which the whole creation moves”.

  1. It is said that Tennyson's poetry is so representative of his age that a chronological study could help to write history.

  2. a) His Locksley Hall represents the restless spirit of “young England”.

     b) The spirit of faith, science and progress. In Locksley Hall sixty years later.

  1. a) Tennyson briefs the feeling of revolution aroused against scientific discoveries.

     b) This threatened religious beliefs.

     c) And all this gave an ugly rise to problems and greed for gain.

  1. In “The Princess” Tennyson with the higher education of women.

  2. In “Mand” he gave expression to the patriotic feelings on account of the Crimean  War.

  3. Thus we find that in all his works the changing mood of the Victorian mood is seen.

  4. His poetry reveals the cautious spirit of Victorian liberalism.

  5. He was a great admirer of English traditions.

  6. But his greatness lies in his being a supreme artist.

  7. His style is noteworthy.

  8. He has a wonderful mastery of language which is very ornate and simple.

  9. We find a piece of exquisite and varied music in his verse.

  10. In his poetic style, he had shown a uniform mastery.

  11. His imaginations are best when he is kindled by personal experience and emotions.

  12. a) His lyrics are super-

     b) Like his “Break break break”  “Tears, Idle Tears”

  1. His choice of words is highly beautiful and expressive.


  1. Robert Browning  (1812-1889)

  1. Browning and Tennyson were contemporaries but as poets, they were in contrast.

  2. a) Unlike Tennyson, who was first an artist than a teacher.

b) Browning had always the message was more important.

  1. Browning was the opinion that truth lies hidden both in good and evil.

  2. Browning advocates the triumph of the individual will over the obstacles.

  3. He opiated that the self is not subordinate but supreme.

  4. There is optimism in the poetry of Browning.

  5. He had a firm belief in the immortality of the soul.

  6. ⤵️

  1. Browning is greatly dramatic.

  2. Hence in his poems, we find dramatic monologue.

  3. There are the problems of life and conscience.

  4. We find Browning to be the central character.

  5. His hero is his masterpiece.

  6. His notable works are namely Pauline (1833) Paracelsus (1835) Sordella (1840).

  7. His dramatic personal, dramatic lyrics, A grammarian's funeral.

  1. My last Dutchess and many more have won applause for the poet.

  2. a) The chief fruit of Browning's poetry is his obscurity.

     b) Never two characters were alike.

  1. He is the poet of love, of life and of the will to live here and beyond the grave.

  1. Mathew Arnold (1822-88)

  1. Mathew Arnold great poet of the Early Victorian age. Mathew Arnold was a great admirer of Wordsworth. He came under the influence of Romantics, but he did not agree with the younger Romantic poets. He made efforts to set up neoclassical ideas. He gave emphasis on the correctness of poetry.

  2. Through a poet, Arnold was one of the greatest critics of poetry. Arnold when he is best he has a wonderful charm as a poet. His early poems on the sonnets of Shakespeare and Ruskin, the scholar Gypsy are superb.

  3. The Lyrical strain gives a charm. His poem Dover Beach gives expression to Arnold's peculiar religious belief and attitude in an age of doubt.

  4. Most of his poetry gives expression to the conflict of his age -

  1. Between spontaneity and discipline.

  2. Between emotion and reason.

  3. Between faith scepticism 

  1. Arnold longed for primitive faith and simplicity and happiness. This melancholy note is present throughout his Poetry. 

  2. He was influenced by the 'Healing power' of Wordsworth. In his serious moods, Arnold looked up to Nature as a cosmic force. Arnold wanted his poetry to be plain and direct.

  1. Though he considered poetry, an art that gives aesthetic pleasure,

  2. At the same time, he strictly adhered to the fact that ‘poetry should be criticism of life’ also


                        A) He looked for “high seriousness” combined with the 

                              finest art and deepest  Insight.

                        B) That was found in Homer Dante and Shakespeare.


                        A) He stressed on the fact that poetry should be the result of 

                             intellectual effort and hard labour. 

                        B) not inspired or spontaneous.


              A) Above all Arnold could not free himself from the emotions.

              B) We find in his poetry sensuous emotions

  1. That makes his poetry full of charm and beauty.


  1.  Some minor poets

  1. There were many minor poets also during the Early Victorian Age-

  1. As Mrs Browning and Clough

  2. Elizabeth Berrett (1606-1661)

  3. Arthur Hugh Clough (1819-1661)   His best-known work is The Bothies of Toburna. Vuolich. Here he gives a lively account of Oxford students of Highlands. He emphasizes the spiritualising and purifying power of nature.