THE ROLE OF EASTERN LITERATURE IN ENGLISH ROMANTICISM: A CROSS-CULTURAL INFLUENCE
Abstract
The English Romantic period (late 18th to early 19th century) was marked by a fascination with the exotic, the mysterious, and the sublime. Eastern or Oriental literature, encompassing works from Persia, Arabia, India, and China, played a significant role in shaping the themes, imagery, and philosophical underpinnings of English Romanticism. This article explores the influence of Eastern literature on key Romantic poets and writers, including Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Lord Byron, and Percy Bysshe Shelley. Through textual analysis and comparative studies, the article demonstrates how Eastern motifs, such as the exotic landscape, mystical spirituality, and the concept of the "Other," were integrated into Romantic works. The findings highlight how the fascination with the exotic, mystical, and philosophical dimensions of Eastern literature enriched Romantic poetry and prose.
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