Poetry/Victorian

Classical	Renaissance	Romanticism	Victorian	Modernist	Contemporary	AtO

Victorian poetry refers to the poetry of the Victorian era, which spanned the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901.

General Characteristics

Some general characteristics of Victorian poetry include: Interest in the past: Victorian poets often looked to the past for inspiration, drawing on classical mythology, medieval legends, and the English Romantic poets. Moral and social concerns: Victorian poetry often engaged with the moral and social issues of the time, such as poverty, industrialization, and religious doubt. Use of form and structure: Victorian poetry often adhered to strict forms and structures, such as sonnets, odes, and ballads. Love of nature: Many Victorian poets celebrated the beauty and power of nature, often using it as a source of inspiration or a symbol of the divine. Sensibility and sentimentality: Victorian poetry often displays a heightened sense of emotion and sentimentality, reflecting the cultural values of the time. Interest in the exotic and the supernatural: Victorian poets were fascinated by exotic cultures and the supernatural, often incorporating these themes into their work. Use of religious imagery and symbolism: Victorian poets often drew on religious imagery and symbolism to explore their spiritual and moral concerns. These characteristics are not exhaustive, and there is considerable variety within Victorian poetry. However, they provide a general sense of the key features of the genre.

Matthew Arnold
“Dover Beach”
Robert Browning
“My Last Duchess” “Porphyria’s Lover”
Gerard Manley Hopkins
“God’s Grandeur” “The Windhover”
Christina Rossetti
“Goblin Market”
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
“The Lotos-Eaters” “Ulysses” “The Lady of Shalott”