1. The Rise of Romanticism: The Romantic period (late 18th to early 19th century) had a significant impact on Victorian poetry. Romantics emphasized personal experiences, emotion, and the power of the imagination, which often lent itself to narrative forms.
2. Interest in Social Issues: Victorian society was undergoing rapid social, political, and industrial changes. Poets like Tennyson, Browning, and Rossetti used narrative poems to explore these issues, giving voice to the concerns and experiences of the time.
3. Long Poems and the Dramatic Monologue: The Victorian era saw a resurgence of the long poem, allowing poets to delve into complex narratives and explore multiple characters and themes. This led to the development of the dramatic monologue, a form that became particularly prominent in the works of Robert Browning.
4. The Rise of the Novel: The Victorian era was also a golden age for novels. This rise in narrative prose may have influenced poets to adopt similar forms, allowing them to tell more elaborate and complex stories.
5. Audience Demand: Victorian society was increasingly literate and interested in narrative literature. Poets responded to this demand by creating poems that were more accessible and engaging, often with strong plots and relatable characters.
Specific Examples:
* "The Idylls of the King" by Alfred Tennyson: This epic poem tells the story of King Arthur and his knights, exploring themes of love, honor, and chivalry.
* "The Ring and the Book" by Robert Browning: This dramatic monologue explores the murder of a young woman and the subsequent legal proceedings, using multiple perspectives to create a complex and multifaceted narrative.
* "Goblin Market" by Christina Rossetti: This narrative poem tells the story of two sisters and their encounters with goblin merchants, using a combination of allegory and fantasy to explore themes of temptation and redemption.
In conclusion, the rise of narrative-driven forms in Victorian poetry was a complex phenomenon influenced by multiple factors, including the legacy of Romanticism, the changing social landscape, the rise of the novel, and the evolving tastes of the reading public.