“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion. For most men, it appears to me, are in a strange uncertainty about it, whether it is of the devil or of God, and have somewhat hastily concluded that it is the chief end of man here to “glorify God and enjoy him forever.” -Thoreau
1. Reading–Be sure you have revisited Keats’ Ode on a Grecian Urn. Also, read the three poems by Elizabeth Barrett Browning: If Thou Must Love Me, How do I Love Thee, and A Curse for a Nation. Some of you must pay much closer attention to the poems when you print them out! Some are, believe or not, longer than one page.
2. Writing–(Due 11/2) We have read several Romantics (Blake, Byron, Wordsworth, Keats, and Browning)! Considering these poets and the above quotation (take inspiration from the themes, ideas, and social implications), you will write your very own Romantic Poem! Naturally, your poem should reflect an understanding of Romanticism. Heading:
Name
Poetry Seminar
11/2/16
#4: Romantic Poem
3. Group Presentations–The Elizabethan group presents on Nov. 7th. That group (as with all) should meet with me early next week! Again, all groups are expected to meet with me at lease once before they present.
