Exploring the Romantic poets in the Edexcel 'Conflict' anthology
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can discuss the wider context of Romanticism in relation to the four Romantic anthology poems.
Key learning points
- The Romantic period prioritises imagination and self expression over regulation and institutional power.
- Many Romantic poets loved and worshipped the natural world.
- Many Romantic-era writers rejected traditional religious beliefs.
- The 'sublime', a feeling of overwhelming awe, is often used in Romantic poetry.
- There are four Romantic poets in the Edexcel ‘Conflict’ Anthology: Wordsworth, Byron, Blake and Tennyson.
Keywords
Critique - evaluate or analyse, often offering opinions or judgements
Romanticism - a poetry movement from the late 18th and early 19th century, focused on emotions and nature
Conventions - established norms or traditions within a particular form or genre of literature
Sublime - an awe-inspiring, overwhelming experience beyond human comprehension
Institutional power - authority or control exerted by organisations or systems within society
Common misconception
Romantic poetry is always about love.
Romantic and romantic are two different words. The former, Romantic, refers to a cultural and artistic movement in the 1700-1800s whereas the latter, romantic, means 'linked to love and relationships'.
Teacher tip
During the practice task in the second learning cycle, split the class into groups and give out all three of remaining poems to different groups. Allow them time to identify the Romantic conventions and then encourage each of the groups to present their findings to the rest of the class.
Equipment
You need access to a copy of the Edexcel Poetry Anthology (we will be using the ‘Conflict’ cluster).
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a proper noun?
Q2.Why is it important to consider the wider historical context of a literary text in your analysis?
Q3.Match up each of these anthology texts to the correct poet.
Q4.What is interpersonal conflict?
Q5.What is emotive language?
Q6.Which of the following are examples of first-person pronouns?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When did the Romantic period occur?
Q2.Which of the following poems from your anthology is an example of a Romantic text?
Q3.Complete the sentence: 'Romantic literature often focused on __________ experience.'
Q4.Complete the sentence: 'Romantic literature often emphasised the beauty of ...
Q5.What is being described here: 'An awe-inspiring, overwhelming experience beyond human comprehension.'?
Q6.How could Romantic ideas and conventions link to ideas of conflict?
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Exploring the Romantic poets in the Edexcel 'Conflict' anthology, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Exploring the Romantic poets in the Edexcel 'Conflict' anthology, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the 'Conflict' unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.