Victorian Era and Victorian Poetry:

Queen Victoria
-ascended throne in 1837.-ruled for 64 years.

-1837-1901

England
reached the height of its economics and political power.

Reform Bill of 1832
Number of voters quadrupled

Other leg. that extended political democracy
-Controlling child labor-Law abolishing slavery-Providing system of public relief-voting by ballot

England expanded into a empire
-sense of nationalism and self-satisfaction-more insular, complacent and wealthy-middle-class grew-puritanism became popular-moral bond tightened

Victorian Literature
-somber and factual-realistic and classical-reflects new scientific advances, the concern over social conditions.-amalgam of neo-classical and romantic.

Drama
the Victorians wanted light comedy and farce

Victorian Poetry
Designed for 2 widely different levels.1.) The exotic, pagan, colorful, emotional.2.) Humanitarian, intellectual, didactic.