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  • Essay / The Romantic Era: Imagination as Rebellion Against Rationalism

    In an era dominated by rationalism and logic, poets and authors of the Romantic era sought to defend what they saw as a more natural value system. Among the themes prevalent throughout this era, that of the power of the imagination is definitely central, because not only is the context of literature rich with this theme, but the works themselves are the product of the imaginative vision of the authors. William Blake's series of philosophical aphorisms, "All religions are one" and "There is no natural religion", illustrate the common belief that imagination should prevail over reason, which we find also in romantic literature such as “The Crossing of the Alps” by William Wordsworth. ". Additionally, literature can also serve as tools to provide insight into the historical and cultural state of their times. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay “All Religions Are One” and “There Is No Natural Religion” are written with the aim of championing imagination over reason. In “There Is No Natural Religion,” Blake begins his defense in part [b], “The perceptions of man are not limited by the organs of perception” (117). With reference to the positions of philosophers such as John Locke, Blake takes a position similar to that of many Romantic writers and believes that people are not limited to sense perceptions, as the imagination also provides a means of interpreting and perceiving the world. In part [a] Blake emphasizes: "The desires and perceptions of man, not taught by anything other than the organs of sense, must be limited to the objects of sense" (117), i.e. Because we can conceptualize and desire things that cannot be understood through the senses alone, there must be other components (such as imagination, intuition, and feelings) that enable such experiences. Completing this idea in “All Religions Are One,” the first principle begins with “Poetic genius is the true man” (116). Not only does Blake argue that people also perceive reality through imaginative vision (called poetic genius), but that this quality is the truest part of man. Although a common theme, the concept of imagination is described in undefined terms throughout Romantic literature. However, throughout literature, a common respect for the concept of imagination manifests itself in the same way that Blake described poetic genius: it is an intuitive way of experiencing life from a self superior which differs from the rational and logical mind. Wordsworth understands the abstract quality of imagination and begins the 1850 version of "The Crossing of the Alps", "Imagination---here the so-called power/ By the sad incompetence of human speech" (1-2 ). It is as if the power of imagination is so deep and obscure that it cannot be properly integrated into worlds. Perhaps this is why poets of the Romantic era felt so compelled to embrace the common theme; to try to capture the darkness of the imagination. Wordsworth recognizes imagination as a source of escape as well as disappointment, and recognizes the power of both. His experience in the Alps was not what he had imagined, but in retrospect he is able to recall his experience in his mind in a way that leads him to appreciate it: "I recognize your glory" . In such force of usurpation, in such visits of horrible promises, when the light of the senses is extinguished in the,.