When most of us hear the word "Romantic" we think of elaborate shows of affection and love between people --roses, letters, fancy dinners, etc. However, in the case of our subject, William Blake, the term, Romantic, takes on a very different meaning. Blake was a Romantic in that he was a part of what I believe to be the most fruitful literary movement in history, the Romantic Era. I will spare you the many details surrounding this movement, so know that what I have chosen to share is critical to this week's subject. The Romantic movement was a response to the Industrial Revolution that spread throughout Europe in the early 19th century. As the whole world began to turn from nature and rely on technology, the Romantics tried to remind them of the value and beauty of the natural elements of this world. William Blake, one of the early Romantics, spent much of his literary career giving value to not only Nature but simple Humanity. He believed in simple pleasures and simple desires.
Religion was one of the Romantics biggest opponents. Religion taught that the earth is evil and all that is in it. And that we are only made good by giving up our earthly desires to devote ourselves to an invisible god. Being good was the ultimate goal. Romanticism said that happiness rather than goodness is the ultimate goal. Fulfilling all of your earthly desires was your purpose on this Earth. They reminded everyone that the beauty of a field covered in lilies held in it more wisdom than all the books of the earth. Both of these institutions got close to truth, but ended up missing it. By putting "goodness" as the ultimate goal, Religion bred a group of pious hypocrites who dragged the name of God through the mud by calling themselves Christians. By touting happiness as the ultimate goal, Romantics bred a group of disillusioned young people who discovered that earthly happiness is temporary and will never fulfill you.
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