* Lyrical Ballads: This was more than just a single form, but a collection of poems by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge that helped define the Romantic movement. They explored themes of nature, emotion, and everyday life, often using simple language and a conversational tone.
* Sonnet: This form, popular since the Renaissance, continued to be important during the Romantic era. Romantic poets often used the sonnet to express intense emotions, explore personal experiences, and reflect on philosophical ideas.
* Ode: Odes, characterized by their elevated language and formal structure, were used to address a specific subject, often with a lyrical and passionate tone. Notable Romantic odes include Wordsworth's "Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood" and Keats's "Ode to a Nightingale."
* Elegy: This form, used to mourn the dead, gained popularity during the Romantic period as poets reflected on loss, grief, and mortality. Famous examples include Shelley's "Adonais" and Gray's "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard."
* Blank Verse: While not technically a "form" in the same way as a sonnet or ode, blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter) was widely used by Romantic poets, especially for long works like narrative poems and dramatic works.
Ultimately, the Romantic era was a time of experimentation and innovation in poetic forms. Many poets found ways to adapt and reinvent traditional forms, while others explored new and unconventional structures. Rather than a single "most popular" form, the Romantic period was marked by a rich tapestry of poetic styles.