How do Blake and Rousseau's ideas align and differ (themes to consider are slavery, religion and education)?
The romantic period in English literature occurred in the mid -18 th and early 19 th century, and sustained a similar type of significance as the renaissance did, by implementing a much needed theme of liberation. Romantic poets focused on the often subtle but other times overwhelming beauty of nature, defining this type of conflicted, bittersweet wonder as the ‘sublime’. They explored the different facets of human nature and the soul, putting a great emphasis on discovering ones individuality and celebrating it. A significant figure representing this period was the English poet William Blake (1757-1827), who besides writing poetry also flourished in the art world as a renowned painter and engraver. Blakes work provided an important call for social change, as he believed that “poetry show both delight and instruct”. This contrast is cleverly conveyed through the important topics portrayed in his poems and the quaint, often sublime artwork accompanying them. The theme...