Lines Written in Early Spring
I heard a thousand blended notes,
To her fair works did Nature link
Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,
The birds around me hopped and played,
The budding twigs spread out their fan,
If this belief from heaven be sent,
In the Romantic era, fascination with nature grew. In the poem “Lines Written in Early Spring”, William Wordsworth reflects his view that nature and humans are one entity. He personifies nature by attributing it with human abilities and glorifies its ability to “spread” its mirth to both animate (birds) and inanimate (wind) objects. This reflects the emotional transcendence nature was believed to bring in the Romantic era. Reflecting back on human civilization, however, the poet finds “reason to lament” at the fact that humans become a force of division as they distinguish themselves separate from nature. He suggests that if individuals are prepared to be one with nature, they will gain eternal happiness. Concluding his poem with a question mark, Wordsworth forces people to wonder “what man has made of man”. This poem is life-affirming, but cynical in the way humans are portrayed reflecting the duality that sweet leads to sad thoughts.
Classicism art focused on distinct and formal figures, whereas in the Romantic era artists explored abstract figures and lines to express their emotions. William Blake’s “The Great Red Dragon and the Woman clothed with the sun” is a perfect example of an art from the Romantic era. His illustration describes the conflict between the “woman clothed with the sun” and the “great red dragon”, who threatens to devour her child. The painting presents the monstrous dragon, half humanoid, half reptilian, hovering in an ominous sky characterized by zigzag lightning flashes and the spirals of his own tail; on a rock rests the woman surrounded by a glowing sun, having her hands outstretched in defense mimicking his gesture. The artist’s rejection of tradition neo-classic art as perfect imitations of the world is clear in this painting as it presents no trace of realism. The use of tainted colours, unbalanced symmetry, the mystical creature, and ghostly figures suggests a mythical realm. I love this painting as it is clear that the woman is determined to protect her child despite who her opposition is. This idea of female heroism was prominent in the Romantic era where the identity of females changed from gentle and reserved to strong-willed and expressive.
Music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miQC40ZxdFA
The famous romantic opera, “Carmen: Seguidilla” was composed by George Bizet. “Carmen” was based on a story by Prosper Mérimée about a passionate and ruthless gypsy girl's seduction of a naïve young soldier. The story ends with Carmen falling in love with another man resulting in her murder by the soldier who was consumed by jealousy and rage. It exemplifies the common Romantic theme of the callous woman who is open about her sexuality in contrast to the mild tempered and reserved woman idealized in the neo-classic era. When I listen to this music, the words that come to mind are fleeting and unsteady. In fact, the fluctuation of Spanish rhythms, tempo and pitch suggest chaotic outburst of emotions. Music during the romantic era focused on imagination and the fantasy, and tests the use of a wider range of pitches and instruments which are present in this piece. I like this composition as it creates a sense of glee at finding love, but also suggests foreboding ends with the betrayal of Carmen. It shows the duality that happy beginnings always lead to sad endings.
“The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant.” (J.S. Mill)
This quote suggests that people have no right to interfere with another’s choice unless he is causing harm to another being. Since a man has complete control over his own mind and body, he should have the freedom to do with it as he wants. This is known as the “harm principle” written by John Stuart Mill in his essay “On Liberty”. This was introduced during a time of struggle between liberty and authority in Greece, Rome, and England. The people wanted protection against the dictatorship of political rulers and the “harm principle” put a limit to how much control the government could exercise on an individual.
