18th and 19th century view on nature :: essays research papers

Through the ingenious works of poetry the role of temperament has imprinted the 18th and 19th century with a mark of significance. The common terminology nature has been reflected by our greatest poets in different meanings and understanding Alexander Pope believed in reason and moderation, whereas Blake and Wordsworth embraced passion and imagination.The 18th century was known as the bestride of Reason, where the focus was on the search for truth and clarity in the world of disorder through reason. Alexander Pope displays his views and beliefs on world through his disreputable poem "Essay on Man." Pope depicts the role of nature in the 18th century by setting the poem in a garden. not only does the garden parallel John Miltons "Paradise Lost," the garden symbolize the limitations of man. Pope wants to convey the importance of how man must accept his own limitations and cover his life to "vindicate the ways of G-d to man." However, we must yield to our pr ide and take responsibilities of our actions by not blaming G-d. Cease then, nor order imperfection name Our proper enjoyment depends on what we blame.      Through the poems of Blake and Wordsworth, the meaning of nature expands far beyond the earlier centurys definition of nature. "The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom." The passion and imagination portrayal unequivocal this period unquestionably, as the Romantic Era. Nature is a place of solace where the imagination is free to roam. Wordsworth contrasts the material world to the innocent beauty of nature that is slow forgotten, or overlooked due to our insensitivities by our complete devotion to the trivial world. But yet I know, whereer I go, that there hath passed away a glory from the earth.