* Pessimistic Tone: Romantic poetry generally celebrates nature, imagination, and emotion. "Darkness" takes a decidedly bleak and pessimistic turn, depicting a world plunged into perpetual darkness and despair.
* Lack of Traditional Romantic Themes: Instead of focusing on love, beauty, or the sublime, "Darkness" delves into the horrors of a world without light, emphasizing themes of chaos, fear, and the fragility of civilization.
* Focus on Destruction and Nihilism: While Romanticism often explored the darker aspects of humanity, it still held onto hope for redemption or a transcendent experience. "Darkness" offers little hope, suggesting a complete and irreversible descent into nihilism.
* Prophecy of a Dying Earth: The poem's imagery of a sunless world, cannibalism, and the destruction of all life suggests an almost apocalyptic vision, far removed from the typical Romantic fascination with the natural world.
In conclusion, "Darkness" stands out among Romantic poems due to its stark pessimism, its departure from typical themes, and its focus on destruction and nihilism. It's a stark and powerful reminder that even within a movement known for its emotional intensity and celebration of the sublime, there could be a space for dark and unsettling perspectives.