4 DEC 2019 · The development of the novel took place in the 18th century in England, as a result of a social and historical background which changed the country into a Parliamentary Monarchy and an industrial power during and after the so-called Stuart Era. The new values of the middle class are opposite to the main features of the previous romance, which is compared to the modern novel in terms of characters, plot, language and setting. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe is considered a new pattern for the development of the novel.

4 DEC 2019 · William Shakespeare's works offer an incredible amount of perspectives we can get beyond his biography and the mere description of his plots, which most of the times represent just a limited intruduction to his genius. In this video I explain one of the most fascinating interpretations of Shakespeare's theatre and poetry: the relationship between the balance/disbalance of the individual as a microcosm and the universe as a macrocosm. The elements of disorders often happen to be unconventional women who overcome the stereotype of the "lady" as an angel, which belonged to the previous centuries, and display much more depth and strength in a complex personality, which is probably inspired by Elizabeth I Tudor. Shakespeare lived in fact during the Golden Age, when the "Virgin Queen" offered a flourishing period to her kingdom, together with a new balance and a completely new feminine image, independent and iconic. Some of the main works by Shakespeare are mentioned to explain the whole concept, as well as sonnets, which are mentioned and briefly analyzed in their structure and content. Shakespeare is also described as one of the fathers of the Modern English and his perspective is proved to be still extremely up to date.

4 DEC 2019 · Mary Shelley conveyed through her masterpiece "Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus" a very strong message about the responsibility of science and society. Her gothic novel, written for a contest among intellectuals during a rainy summer at Lord Byron's mansion, represents now one of the deepest and most insightful analysis of the human being, his fears, his relationship with society and his inner dualism. I'd like to leave behind all the images and reinterpetations of the subject that we have known through movies, theatre and even cartoons, in order to rediscover the true meaning of this classic work.

4 DEC 2019 · Also called the "Age of Revolutions", the Romantic period (19th century) was deeply infuenced by political, social and economical events (American and French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, Agricultural and Transport Revolution, social unrests, Adam Smith's work, Rousseau's philosophy...), developing a large and multifaceted movement, whose currences involved Literature and Arts throughout Europe. In this video the main concepts and the most important features of the movement are displayed in a large resume that includes the main theme of Nature as a source of inspiration for the Poet whoapproaches it as an "organic living whole". The independence of the artist is also explained, together with the image of the "poet prophet", whose perspective was based on imagination, subjectivity and symbolism. Burke's idea of "beautiful" and "sublime" is associated with some of the poets of the first generation (Blake, Wordsworth, Coleridge) and of the second generation (Lord Byron, P.B. Shelley, Keats), while their works are also considered in connection with a social attitude of criticism towords the Industrial Revolution and its negative consequences on nature and on the human being.. Fiction is also mentioned, together with the new image of the writer as a professional who needs to "sell" a new product, thus a new debate about "good and bad literature" has been developed throughout the centuries. Some important novelists of the time are briefly introduced, like for example Ann Radcliffe with her Gothic works, Jane Austen with her Novel of Manners and Mary Shelley with her Science Fiction.

4 DEC 2019 · William Wordsworth is considered as one of the most representative Romantic Poets of the first generation. Together with S.T. Coleridge he wrote the Lyrical Ballads, in which it is possible to find some of his main themes, together with a Preface where Wordswoth expresses his point of view about the concept of Poet Prophet, of Language and of topics that should be treated by poetry. This video also gives a special insight into some interpretations of Wordsworth's poems (f.i. I wandered lonely as a Cloud or The Daffodils) concerning the use of colours and the concept of Nature as an active force, an organic living whole that can be considered as a source of inspiration and joy for the artist. The different "levels" of the Universe belong together in a pantheistic world of spirituality, in which the humblest elements are meant to convey the highest truths.

4 DEC 2019 · S.T. Coleridge is considered one of the most popular artist in the First Generation of Romantic Poets, especially for his collaboration with Wiliam Wordsworth in writing the Lyrical Ballads. The two authors and friends were two sides of the same coin: they represented an opposite perspective towards poetry and Nature (beautiful vs sublime) but they both shared a pantheistic view, which considers Nature as an organic living whole that the human being should respect. In Coleridge's masterpiece "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" the message of love and respect for Nature and for the spiritual truth that permeats it is conveyed through a complex language and an elaborated symbolism. The Ballad, mostly belonging to the traditional pattern but also unconventional in his exceptions, is divided into seven parts with a little summary about the plot. It's the highest expression of Coleridge "poetic faith" and the highest representation of him as a poet prophet.

4 DEC 2019 · William Blake is considered one of the major Romantic Poets of the first generation. His "prophetic books", together with his engraving and painting, are amongst the greatest representations of the Romantic attitude towards nature, and also towards the negative effects of Industrial Revolution, such as urbanization, corruption and a physical as well as a metaphorical "pollution" of cities and souls. The Lamb (from Songs of Innocence) displays the condition of Nature in the Garden of Eden, before the Fall. The Lamb is a symbol of purity and innocence, of childhood and generosity, as well as a symbol of Christ. The Christian interpretation of Blake's symbolism is very strong and complememtary with a more pantheistic view of Nature as an organic living whole. The poet prophet emphasizes a dual vision of God, who was able to create the Lamb but also the Tyger (from Songs of Experience), which is the expression of the so-called "sublime": majestic, fearful and fascinating perfection. The power and the frightening symbol of the Tyger seems to be a challange for God Himself and it's a juxtaposition between the beautiful and idyllic Lamb and the potentially fatal power of the scaring creature of darkness that may eventually claim to be created by the same God. Lamb and Tyger are two sides of the same coin, as well ad Songs of Innocence and of Experience, which represent Blake's insight into the Universe. - William Blake (Part 1 of 2): The Lamb (Songs of Innocence) concernes an introduction of the Poet and his main themes, ad well as a detailed analysis of "The Lamb" https://youtu.be/r81D5HvUhls - William Blake (Part 2 of 2): The Tyger (Songs of Experience) concernes a detailed analysis of "The Tyger" and an explanation of "London" and "The Chimney Sweeper" https://youtu.be/fs5QVHcyRDs

4 DEC 2019 · William Blake is considered one of the major Romantic Poets of the first generation. His "prophetic books", together with his engraving and painting, are amongst the greatest representations of the Romantic attitude towards nature, and also towards the negative effects of Industrial Revolution, such as urbanization, corruption and a physical as well as a metaphorical "pollution" of cities and souls. The Lamb (from Songs of Innocence) displays the condition of Nature in the Garden of Eden, before the Fall. The Lamb is a symbol of purity and innocence, of childhood and generosity, as well as a symbol of Christ. The Christian interpretation of Blake's symbolism is very strong and complememtary with a more pantheistic view of Nature as an organic living whole. The poet prophet emphasizes a dual vision of God, who was able to create the Lamb but also the Tyger (from Songs of Experience), which is the expression of the so-called "sublime": majestic, fearful and fascinating perfection. The power and the frightening symbol of the Tyger seems to be a challange for God Himself and it's a juxtaposition between the beautiful and idyllic Lamb and the potentially fatal power of the scaring creature of darkness that may eventually claim to be created by the same God. Lamb and Tyger are two sides of the same coin, as well ad Songs of Innocence and of Experience, which represent Blake's insight into the Universe. - William Blake (Part 1 of 2): The Lamb (Songs of Innocence) concernes an introduction of the Poet and his main themes, ad well as a detailed analysis of "The Lamb" https://youtu.be/r81D5HvUhls - William Blake (Part 2 of 2): The Tyger (Songs of Experience) concernes a detailed analysis of "The Tyger" and an explanation of "London" and "The Chimney Sweeper" https://youtu.be/fs5QVHcyRDs

4 DEC 2019 · The major Romantic Poets are often divided into two groups: the first and the second generation. William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, William Blake and Sir Walter Scott belong tp the first one, while Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley and John Keats are identified with the second one. In this video I'm Going to explain the differences between thetwo groups and the common aspects, as far as language, style, attitude and biography are concenrned. Further videos about Romantic Poets: Romanticism: https://youtu.be/WOr3uzhOK7o William Blake 1: https://youtu.be/r81D5HvUhls William Blake 2: https://youtu.be/fs5QVHcyRDs William Wordsworth: https://youtu.be/WOr3uzhOK7o Samuel Taylor Coleridge: https://youtu.be/WOr3uzhOK7o

4 DEC 2019 · The Victorian Age, also called "Age of Empire" is considered one of the most flourishing periods in English Literature, besides being a time of change as far as politics, society and economics are concerned. The Industrial Revolution influences urbanization as well as Agricultural/Transport Revolution and it causes social unrests and reforms. The main cell of the Victorian patriarchal society is a stereotype of family ased on hard work, conventions, a strict moral code and the values of the rising middle-class.