Hello, everyone! This week, I just recently finished writing a paper for World Masterpieces Two, and I wanted to share one of the poems I had to write about and my personal feelings towards it. Before we start, I want to give a brief intro to romantic poetry, and what it actually is. Wikipedia defines Romantic poetry as "the poetry of the Romantic era, an artistic, literary, musical and intellectual movement that originated in Europe toward the end of the 18th century." The Romantic Era was also a time where literary works were much more dramatic. In class, we are studying the theme of nature's influence within the poems, and how writers often describe with opposition against the beginning of industrialization and the Era of Enlightenment. The Era of Enlightenment marks a time where the individual thinks more realistically and base ideas off of science and real evidence. I chose to write about this poem because it appealed to my heart and my mind.
The poem is called "Frost at Midnight" by Samuel Coleridge. Please click the following link to read the poem before proceeding!
"Frost at Midnight" by Samuel Coleridge
Just by reading this poem alone you can see where the dramatic works come into play when the author describes things. There are three specific points that really speak out to me.
First, the author describes the silence of nature and how “it disturbs and vexes meditation with its strange and extreme silentness.” I have dealt with this silence before, and this is by far the best description of it. It is true that you will focus on the little things around you and that your mind will wander off into thoughts of different times and places.
My second favorite point is when the author describes his livelihood in the city before he came back to the small village he is currently in. He describes that he can only see some of the stars and that he could not truly learn to appreciate nature for what it was. Whenever I do leave a city and go up north, I always enjoy the hills we drive over and the view we have looking out onto the lakes we visit. I would relate more to the author’s experience if it wasn’t for my parents taking me and my sisters to metro parks to enjoy nature itself often. The more I become aware of the world and its beauty, the more I appreciate those small little visits to the metro parks.
Finally, my most favorite portion of the poem is when the author describes his excitement for his child. Living back in the village, far from a large city gives his child the opportunity to be truly shaped by nature itself. Learn of all its beauties early on in life and grow to appreciate nature and its seasons. I do appreciate the city and all its aspects, but it was not until later on in life did I truly learn to appreciate nature itself and all its unique environments. So I can definitely understand the excitement the author has for his child and his future.
Overall, this has to be one of my most favorite poems I have read recently, and I will keep it close to mind. Let me know if there were any moments in the poem that stood out to you and how it spoke to you! I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did!
