The 18th and the 19th century poetry are two totally opposite and contrastive kinds of poetry.

Although the fact that they share the same common goal which is representing the period
back then and giving morals through the poets writings,there are significant differences
between them regarding major themes, techniques, forms, style and poets.

To begin with, the 18th century poetry was distinctive in theme and technique. On the whole,
the literature of the period reflects wit and is concerned with civilization and social
relationships. In this sense, it is critical and sometimes satirical in tone. Much of the poetry at
this period is described as Neo-Classical which was the major style used throughout the
century. It appreciated the imitation of classical aesthetics in poetry.It was actually really
affected by society and the condition of the period. Poets actually used particular vocabulary,
phrase formation and technical terms that reflected the age. There were also some dominant
poetic styles at the time using blank verse, lyrical poems, humanistic themes, odes, allegorical
imagery and descriptive styles.

In fact, the situation had become terrible as culture, language and societywere deteriorating
to the point that they upper class society only cared about such silly and superficial objects.
Therefore, the 18th century poets used the Mock Epic Form in order to satirize 18th century
England using classical illusions and supernatural elements written in a high descriptive style
and Epic Heroic form. In fact, they used a very serious, strong and formal language from the
previous century poetry which was usually used to praise heroes, kings, queens, demi-gods
and gods in order to underline their courage of saving humanity called the Epic
Form.However, the poets used this serious style to describe meaningless situations in order to
satirizesociety by the Mock Epic Form.They exemplified how society has become pitiful,
ridiculous and stupid and how morals and traditions have disappeared. Moreover, people
were not able to differentiate between trivial issues and extremely important ones reacting
towards small ones as if they were real problems.They also made a link between the past and
the present as they traced the similarities between the current scenes with the earlier ones to
clarify the deterioration.Indeed, wars became parties, great battlesof poetry were turned into
gambles, swords and armors were substituted byjewelryand makeup, Greek gods were
converted into ineffectual spirits and the rituals of religious sacrifice have been replaced by
the dressing room and the altar of love. The poets demonstrated their moral visions through
such a detailed and précised description using Mock Epic Motifs which are the seen symbols
in the poems through which the fallen culture is shown.

In addition, there were major themes demonstrated in the poems. Nature was the dominant
theme which inspired many writers. Satire also flourished in the 18th century as it most
distinguished famous writers such as Alexander Pope, William Blake, Samuel Johnson and
John Gay.Other themes were focused on English Life and Culture, Love, Humanitarianism and
Death.

Poems associated sentimental social commentary with pastoral traditions. Like 17th century
poetry, the majority of the poems were characterized by classical illusions, as poets looked up
to classical Latin and Greek poets. It is also very important to highlight the literary conflict
between neo-classists and pro-modernists at the time. Definitely, while Neo-classists were
influenced by Greek mythology and claimed that beauty is the prime objective of poetry, pro
modernists, who disliked the old style, as they looked up to the “century of science” believed
that poetry should play a social role. In point of fact, the political side had an impact on the
period as important events were happening in the world, especially in North America, which
had a major impact on 18 century England.

On the other hand, the late 18th century saw the birth of Romanticism. Influenced by
revolutions in America and France, the Romantic poets offered a major development in
poetry, mainly associated with human freedom. Indeed, the Romanticism refers to the
spontaneous overflow of emotions recollected in a state of tranquility. Its poetry was less
constrained and more individualistic. The Romantics often gained their inspiration from
nature rather than conventional religion. For that reason,Romantic poets had a deep interest
in Nature, not as a center of beauty but as an informing and spiritual influence on life.
Definitely, frightened by the birth of industrialism, they turned to nature for protection. As
with the decay of traditional religious beliefs men were making a religion from the spirituality
of their own experiences, the Romantics valued their own experiences to a great point.
Indeed, although Spenser, Milton and Pope made poetry out of legend or classical and
religious knowledge, the Romantics looked into themselves seeking in their own lives strong
sensations.Such sensations sometimes have a moral value and are often associated with
simple and human objects, as in the case of William Wordsworth. On the other hand, they can
rise from an exotic experience, or adventure that man has hardly ever experienced before.
However, they can also lead to dream lands as in the case of S. T Coleridge.

Although romantic poets were aware of their s obligations, their poetry were characterized by
a strong sense of wonder, of life seen with new sensibilities and fresh vision. This sense,
present in be found Shelly, who is more satisfiedamong dead leaves and ghosts than in the
places where men live. Indeed, their individual experiences influenced their spiritual
loneliness. Certainly, as the romantic poets visited strange places of human experience, they
rarely spoke of it in the language of ordinary conversation.

Undeniably, the poetry of William Blake is perhaps the most outstanding in this period, as he
investigated into supernatural themes rarely touched upon by previous British Poets.
Furthermore, the Romantic Revival is a movement that showed how the work of poets who
had founded the Romantic Revival such as William Blake, William Wordsworth, ST Coleridge
and John Keats differed from their predecessors.