Romanticism is an artistic period that began in the late 18th century, and was largely a reaction to the more rigid neoclassicism. Where its predecessor celebrated reason and logic, choosing to hold a very scientific and literal view on the nature of reality, romanticism celebrated the mystical sublime. It held nature in very high regard, and was focused on more abstract and fantastical concepts like divinity and imagination. The object for a poet of the romantic period was largely to translate the profound and universal truths that were felt during the most beautiful and cathartic emotional experiences. The idea of intrinsic, shared human experiences were central to the romantic poets, and their object was to articulate them in a way that could be understood by all.

In this way, romantic poets were indeed seen as prophets. They were interpreting the meaning of higher beauty and emotion, a concept that was considered to be very akin to the divine. Poems of this type, such as those written by Blake and Keats, were considered to be the "true language of man." They were considered achievable to write only through moments of extended and deep contemplation, very similar to how a prophet may receive a divine revelation.