1. A Shift Away from Neoclassicism: Pre-Romantic poets like Alexander Pope and John Dryden were deeply steeped in Neoclassical tradition, emphasizing reason, order, and strict adherence to classical forms. However, they also began to express a growing interest in personal emotions and experiences. This shift can be seen in Pope's "An Essay on Man" (1733-34), where he explores the complexities of human nature, and Dryden's "Absalom and Achitophel" (1681), which uses historical allegory to comment on contemporary politics.
2. Exploration of Nature and the Sublime: Poets like William Collins and Thomas Gray began to embrace nature as a source of inspiration and a means of exploring the sublime. Collins' "Ode on the Poetical Character" (1747) celebrates the power of imagination and nature's ability to inspire creativity, while Gray's "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard" (1751) reflects on the beauty and melancholy of the natural world.
3. Emphasis on Individuality and Emotion: Pre-Romantic poets like William Cowper and Robert Burns were interested in exploring the individual experience and expressing their own emotions. Cowper's "The Task" (1785) is a personal and introspective poem, while Burns' "Tam o' Shanter" (1790) is a lively and humorous celebration of Scottish folk culture.
4. Revival of Folk Tradition: The pre-Romantics began to appreciate the power of folk songs, ballads, and myths. This interest in oral tradition laid the groundwork for the Romantic embrace of the vernacular and the rediscovery of the power of storytelling.
5. Pre-Romantic poets' Impact on the Intellectual Landscape: The growing popularity of their works, their exploration of individual experience and emotion, and their emphasis on the sublime contributed to the intellectual climate that made Romanticism possible.
In essence, the pre-Romantics didn't simply prepare the way for the Romantics; they were already engaging with themes and ideas that would become central to the Romantic movement. They helped pave the way for a shift in sensibility and literary style, paving the way for a more emotional, individualistic, and imaginative approach to poetry.