Romanticism

Definition

Romanticism was an artistic, literary, and intellectual movement that originated in Europe in the late 18th century and emphasized emotion, individualism, and the glorification of nature. It was a response to the industrial revolution and the scientific rationalization of nature, advocating for a return to emotional depth and a focus on personal experience in art and literature.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Romanticism emerged as a reaction against the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason, celebrating instead emotion, nature, and individualism.
2. The movement is often associated with key figures like William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, whose collaborative work 'Lyrical Ballads' is considered a foundational text of Romantic poetry.
3. Romantic writers frequently incorporated themes of nature as a source of inspiration and solace, reflecting their belief in the spiritual connection between humans and the natural world.
4. Gothic fiction emerged as a subgenre of Romanticism, characterized by its focus on dark themes, supernatural elements, and exploration of human psychology.
5. The influence of Romanticism can be seen in various literary forms, including poetry, novels, and essays, paving the way for later movements such as Modernism.

Review Questions

• How did Romanticism's emphasis on emotion and individual experience contrast with the ideas prevalent during the Enlightenment?
  • Romanticism emphasized personal emotion, imagination, and individual experience as essential components of art and literature, contrasting sharply with the Enlightenment's focus on reason, logic, and universal truths. While Enlightenment thinkers sought to understand the world through rational thought and empirical evidence, Romantic writers celebrated subjective feelings and the beauty of nature. This shift marked a significant cultural change that encouraged deeper personal connections to art and literature.
• Discuss how the themes found in Gothic fiction relate to the broader principles of Romanticism.
  • Gothic fiction embodies several core principles of Romanticism by delving into deep emotions, human psychology, and the sublime aspects of nature. It explores fear, horror, and the supernatural—elements that reflect the Romantic fascination with extremes of emotion. Additionally, Gothic settings often emphasize decay and wilderness, which resonate with Romantic ideals about nature's power over human experience. This connection demonstrates how Gothic fiction serves as both an extension of and a reaction to Romantic ideals.
• Evaluate how the contributions of major Romantic poets influenced later literary movements such as Modernism.
  • The contributions of major Romantic poets like Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, Shelley, and Keats profoundly influenced later literary movements such as Modernism by establishing new approaches to subjectivity and emotional depth in literature. Their exploration of personal experience, nature's beauty, and the complexities of human emotion laid groundwork for Modernist experimentation with form and perspective. Additionally, Romantic poetry's focus on individual consciousness opened avenues for Modernist writers to challenge traditional narratives and express fragmented realities reflective of contemporary life.

Related terms

Sentimentalism: A literary movement that emphasizes emotion and feeling over reason, often associated with Romantic literature, where personal emotions are central to the narrative.

Gothic Fiction: A genre characterized by dark romanticism, exploring themes of horror, the supernatural, and emotional extremes often set in eerie or decaying settings.

Byronic Hero: A type of character popularized by Lord Byron, marked by a brooding demeanor, complex moral code, and a tendency toward rebellion against societal norms.