how did the romantic poets, generally, view religion? were they more accepting or doubtful?

Answer 1

Good Morning,

Since you said "Did"; not "Do"; I have to suggest that Victorian or earlier writers/Artists; in History were certainly more "influenced" within the context of "religion." Romance was truly an abstract concept; certainly not endorsed by a Religious system.

Saying that however; it's likely they were more Monitored/ Guided/ Directed by "The Church" than the general population of poets today.

Considering "The Church" pretty much controlled issues regarding the spoken word; or other Art forms; as well as Goverments.

How they personally viewed it can only be guessed at.

I can probably best explain my thoughts this way.

Consider that The Church was pretty much the deciding factor in "Judging; accepting; rejecting" artistic bodies of work; or the Artists themselves.

In that context; Artists such as MichaelAngelo for example; might not only have starved; but would have likely not been as widely recognized. Obvious using him as an example might be a stretch; in that he also explored Sciences; etc.; Not so well thought of, by The Church.

An artist in times before freedoms such as we have today; could certainly have been supported by Church funding; but also risked being condemed. Was that OK with them? If they had doubts; or disagreements with the "Body Politic" they certainly had to be prudent in expressing those. It's difficult to say; with regard to their belief systems; but obviously Passion overcame fear, and hunger certainly creates heightened instincts in all of us.


Steven Wolf

Answer 2

When I think of "romantic" poets, William Wordsworth comes to mind. In all his "Lucy" poems, mourning the death of his young beloved, he not once mentions God, heaven nor makes any reference to an afterlife. William Cullen Bryant's "Thanatopsis", which deals with thoughts on death, also makes no mention of any of these things. On the other hand, Ralph Waldo Emerson was a Unitarian minister. My guess is that (like the rest of us) their beliefs ran the gamut.

Answer 3

It depends on the poet... some do,some dont, some do know