Final answer:
English Romantic poetry primarily dealt with the beauty of nature, the idealization of love, emotions, and imagination. Poets like Wordsworth and Keats expressed these themes alongside social and political commentary, creating works that contrasted the simplicity of rural life with the complexities of urbanization and explored the individual's inner experience.
Step-by-step explanation:
English Romantic poetry often dealt with themes such as the glorification of nature, the idealization of love, individualism, and political reform. Poets like William Wordsworth and John Keats celebrated the beauty of nature and the emotional connection between man and the natural world. They embraced imagination and emotion over rationality, often contrasting the serene, untainted landscapes with the harsh realities of urban industrialization. Furthermore, romantic poets expressed a deep-rooted love for one's country and the simple life, often depicting the struggles and passions of ordinary people. Passionate, unrequited love was another prominent theme, as the poets delved into the depths of human emotion and explored love not just as a feeling but as a means of understanding the self and the nature of relationships. These poets were also known to highlight the significance of individual thoughts and feelings, aligning with transcendentalist beliefs that elevated subjective experience and personal intuition.
The Romantic Era was also marked by its social and political commentary. Many romantic poets were political activists who used their work to voice support for liberty, social justice, and revolution, reflecting the Era's spirit of change and defiance of traditional class systems. Literature from this time often challenged aristocratic norms and elevated medieval chivalric ideals, exemplified by writers like Friedrich von Schiller and Sir Walter Scott.
In summary, English Romantic poetry encompassed a wide range of themes from the celebration of natural beauty and the power of love to the advocacy of social and political ideals, always emphasizing the value of emotion, imagination, and the primacy of the individual.