Question

In contrast to the strictly formatted poetry of the Puritan period (in Unit 1), why was free verse poetry an appropriate genre of poetry for the Romantics to express themselves? (two points)

Answer 1

Romanticism emphasized individualism and intese emtotions in its art. Using free verse in poetry meant the writer was able to express his ideas without the restrictions of a fixed metre. It could also convey emotions like fear or restlessness, as experimenting with the rhythm of the poem could lead to a fairly unstable, chaotic musical feel.