The Romantic Era: Imagination as a Rebellion Against Rationalism Sonya Scott College

In an era driven by rationalism and logic, the poets and authors of the Romantic era sought to defend what they understood as a more natural system of values. Among the themes prevalent throughout the era, the theme of the imagination's power is definitely central, for not only is the context of the literature rich with the theme, but the works themselves serve as products of the authors' imaginative vision. William Blake’s series of philosophical aphorisms, “All Religions Are One” and, “There Is No Natural Religion”, exemplify the common belief imagination shall prevail over reason which is also found throughout Romantic literature such as William Wordsworth’s, “The Crossing of the Alps”. Furthermore, the literature can also serve as tools to provide insight to the historical and cultural state of their time.

Both, “All Religions Are One” and, “There Is No Natural Religion” are written with the goal of defending imagination over reason. In, “There Is No Natural Religion” Blake begins his defense in part [b], “Man’s perceptions are not bounded by organs of perception” (117). In a reference to positions of philosophers such as John Locke, Blake takes the stance similar to many Romantic writers and believes people are not limited...