What are types of conflicts in English Romanticism?

English Romanticism, a literary movement that emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, often explored various types of conflicts. These conflicts typically reflected the values, emotions, and philosophical ideas prevalent during the period. Here are some common types of conflicts found in English Romantic literature:

1. Individual vs. Society:

Romanticism emphasized the individual's emotions, imagination, and unique perspective. This led to conflicts between the individual and society's expectations, conventions, and institutions. For example, in Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein," Victor Frankenstein's creation of a new life form challenges societal norms and moral boundaries.

2. Nature vs. Civilization:

Romantics found solace and inspiration in the natural world, which they idealized and contrasted with the artificialities of urban civilization. This conflict often manifested as a dichotomy between the peaceful, harmonious countryside and the corrupt, artificial city. William Wordsworth's poems in "Lyrical Ballads" exemplify this conflict.

3. Imagination vs. Reason:

Romantics believed that imagination and intuition were essential for understanding the world's mysteries and truths. This conflict was often depicted as a struggle between rational, logical thinking and the irrational, intuitive impulses of the human soul. Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem "Kubla Khan" reflects the conflict between reason and imagination.

4. Past vs. Present:

Romantics often idealized the past, viewing it as a time of innocence, simplicity, and profound understanding. This conflict often manifested as a nostalgic yearning for the past, contrasted with the perceived flaws and shortcomings of the present. Sir Walter Scott's historical novels, like "Ivanhoe," explore the tension between the past and present.

5. Sublime vs. Picturesque:

The Sublime and the Picturesque were two aesthetic concepts that gained prominence during the Romantic period. The Sublime represented awe-inspiring, grandiose natural landscapes that evoked feelings of wonder and terror, while the Picturesque represented pleasing, harmonious landscapes suitable for aesthetic appreciation. This conflict highlights the tension between nature's untamed power and human efforts to control and depict it.

6. Emotion vs. Restraint:

Romanticism celebrated emotional intensity, valuing emotional experiences over rational restraint. This conflict often led to characters who exhibited extreme emotional states, such as powerful passions, melancholy, and despair. John Keats' poetry, with its vivid imagery and emotional intensity, reflects this conflict.

7. Mortality vs. Immortality:

Romantics often grappled with themes of mortality and the transience of life. This conflict was often explored through characters' encounters with death, the passage of time, and the search for eternal truths or immortal experiences. William Blake's "Songs of Innocence and Experience" explore the conflict between the naive innocence of youth and the experienced wisdom of adulthood.

These conflicts provided a rich tapestry of themes for Romantic writers, allowing them to explore complex ideas, human emotions, and the relationship between the individual and the world around them.