Topic > The Romantic Era: Imagination as Rebellion against Rationalism

In an era driven by rationalism and logic, the poets and authors of the Romantic Era sought to defend what they understood as a more natural. Among the themes prevalent throughout the era, the theme of the power of the imagination is certainly central, for not only is the context of literature rich in theme, but the works themselves serve as products of the authors' imaginative vision. William Blake's series of philosophical aphorisms, "All religions are one" and "There is no natural religion", exemplify the common belief that imagination must prevail over reason which is also found throughout Romantic literature such as that of William Wordsworth, "The Passing of the Alps." ”. Furthermore, literature can also serve as a tool to provide information about the historical and cultural status of their time. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayBoth “All Religions Are One” and “There Is No Natural Religion” are written with the goal of advocating imagination over reason. In “There Is No Natural Religion” Blake begins his defense in part [b], “Man's perceptions are not limited by the organs of perception” (117). In reference to the positions of philosophers such as John Locke, Blake takes a position similar to that of many Romantic writers and believes that people are not limited to sensory perceptions, as the imagination also offers a way to interpret and perceive the world. In part [a] Blake points out: "Man's desires and perceptions, taught by nothing but the sense organs, must be limited to the objects of the senses" (117), that is, for us to conceptualize and desire things that can they cannot be understood through the senses alone, there must be other components (such as imagination, intuition and feelings) that enable such experiences. Complementing this idea in “All Religions Are One” the first principle begins: “The poetic genius is the true man” (116). Blake not only claims that people also perceive reality through an imaginative vision (called Poetic Genius), but that this quality is the truest part of people. Despite being a common theme, the concept of imagination is described in vague terms throughout Romantic literature. However, throughout literature there is a common reverence for the concept of imagination similar to the way Blake described the Poetic Genius: it is an intuitive way of experiencing life from a higher self that differs from the rational, logical mind. Wordsworth understands the abstract quality of the imagination and begins the 1850 version of "The Crossing of the Alps," "Imagination --- here the so-called power / Through the sad incompetence of human speech" (1-2). It's as if the power of the imagination is so deep and dark that it cannot be properly inserted into the worlds. Perhaps this is why the poets of the Romantic era felt so compelled to encompass the common theme; to try to capture the darkness of the imagination. Wordsworth recognizes the imagination as a source of escape as well as disappointment, and he recognizes the power of both. His experience in the Alps was not as he had imagined, but in retrospect he is able to recall his experience in his mind in a way that leads him to appreciate: "I recognize your glory." In such force of usurpation, in such visitations of terrible promise, when the light of the senses is extinguished in flashes that have shown us the invisible world, greatness makes its home, (532-536) Here, Wordsworth also points out that in the lack of the senses , you can better connect to the “invisible world”. This concept is particularly similar to,.