Nature and Imagination: Influence of the female poets of British Romanticism on the poetry of Rabindranath Tagore

Abstract

This research article explores the profound influence of female poets from the British Romantic Canon, specifically Charlotte Smith (1749-1806) and Felicia Dorothea Hemans (1793-1835), on the poetic works of Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941), focusing on their treatment of Nature and Imagination. While the Romantic Period traditionally emphasizes male poets, this study contends that the contributions of female Romantic poets are equally significant in shaping literary discourse. Tagore, a renowned figure in Bengali and world literature, was deeply influenced by the poetic themes and stylistic innovations of British Romanticism. Smith and Hemans, through their exploration of nature as a source of sublime beauty and spiritual inspiration, introduced Tagore to a poetic sensibility that transcended geographical and cultural boundaries. Their emphasis on the emotional and imaginative response to natural landscapes resonated profoundly with Tagore’s own philosophical and poetic outlook. This article employs a comparative analysis of selected works by Smith, Hemans, and Tagore to delineate the thematic and stylistic affinities between them. It examines how Tagore adapted and synthesized elements of Romantic poetics, particularly the celebration of nature’s evocative power and the privileging of individual emotion and intuition. Moreover, it investigates how Tagore, drawing from his exposure to British Romanticism through translations and critical engagements, incorporated these influences into his own literary oeuvre, thereby enriching the aesthetic and philosophical dimensions of his poetry. By reassessing the role of female Romantic poets in shaping Tagore’s poetic imagination, this study contributes to a broader understanding of cross-cultural literary exchanges and the transcultural dynamics of literary influence. It underscores the transformative impact of transnational literary connections in fostering innovation and diversity within literary traditions. Ultimately, this research elucidates the enduring relevance of the British Romantic Canon and its female voices in global literary landscapes, highlighting their lasting impact on Tagore’s literary legacy.