INFLUENCE OF THE REVOLUTION ON ROMENTICISMThe French revolution is one of the most important events in history that had a monumental effect upon politics and society. It occurred from the years of 1789 to 1799, and continued to have long term effects not just in France, but around the round. However, many people do not consider the substantial effect that this had music. Had the French revolution not taken place, perhaps today’s music would be very different. Nevertheless, despite the fact that we are not in the midst of a revolution in this day and age, the circumstances of musicians today are certainly comparable to that of those in the 18th century, the difference being the emergence of technology that has primarily caused a problem.The Revolution had a great effect on Romanticism influencing romantic writers, inspiring them to address themes of democracy and human rights, which resulted in a complete transformation of society.
William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge were the first important English Romantic poets. Whenever in history, human right is suppressed for long time, revolution started. The French King Louis XVI and the aristocrat class spent their life on pomp and lavishness. There was a gulf of difference between the court life and life of common people.The common people did not get enough to meet their basic needs whereas the upper class people led a life of luxury. To equalize this difference the people got together and revolted against the king and beheaded him.
The slogan of the French Revolution was “Equality, Liberty, and Fraternity”. The spirit of the French Revolution spread all over the Europe, particularly in England. The theme of revolution, human existence on earth, liberty of human mind all these influenced the romantic poets like Shelley, Wordsworth very much. A majority of the population was greatly in favour of Romantic Movement as they had been suffering oppression for many years. The French Revolution came, bringing with it the promise of brighter days.
William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord Byron, and Percy Shelley all shared the same view of the French Revolution as it being the beginning of a change in the current ways of society and helping to better the lives of the oppressed. Literature began to take a new turn; it got moulded and took new better shapes when the revolution engulfed the whole nation, turning things in a whole new direction and above all providing freedom The newly acquired freedom of the common people did not only bring about just laws and living but ordinary people also had the freedom to think for themselves, and in turn the freedom to express themselves. Enkindled by the revolutionary spirit, the writers of the time were full of creative ideas and were waiting a chance to unleash them. Under the new laws writers and artists were given considerable amount of freedom to express themselves which did well to pave the way to set a high standard literature.
