Romanticism, which is an artistic and philosophical movement that evolved in the early 18th and 19th centuries, represents a radical shift in British ideology and societal views. Romanticism can be seen as a rebellion against the traditional Neoclassical views of the time, which held order, rationality, and restraint as the highest virtues. Instead, Romanticism focused emotion, nature, and social justice (Shuttleworth). While Romanticism can be characterized by a variety of features and common ideas, one underlying theme is the fascination with the natural world and how society places limitations on human beings. Because children have less time to be tainted by the demands of society, they are often regarded by Romantics as being closest to nature and thus playing a vital role in the world. These ideas are embodied in the works of many artists and writers of the time, especially William Blake, a 19th century English poet and artist. In Songs of Innocence and of Experience, Blake depicts the innocence and virtue with which children enter the world against the inevitable corruption that arises with experience. These terms, “innocence” and “experience” encourage the reader to …show more content…
This places a certain power in the baby’s hands. Blake saw children as holding an incredibly important place in society. By giving the baby the ability to speak and name itself, a right we normally bestow to the parent, he suggests that the baby’s innocence and goodness empower it with a level of authority that the parent does not have. This also demonstrates the idea that humans in their innocent form are capable of choosing their own happiness, rather than having society or social constructs dictate happiness. In the second half of the poem, these ideas are demonstrated again as the adult defers to the child, saying “Sweet joy I call thee: Thou dost smile, I sing the while, Sweet joy befall thee” (Damrosch