- "Romanticism (also known as the Romantic movement or Romantic era) is an artistic and intellectual movement that originated in Europe towards the end of the 18th century."
A literary movement that stressed individualism and emotions, rejecting the academic rules of classical literature.
Characteristics of Romanticism: Examine the general characteristics of Romanticism in literature, such as emotion over reason, nature, individualism, imagination, and the supernatural.
The Romantic Hero: Explore the archetype of the Romantic hero in literature, including their characteristics such as individualism, rebellion against society, passion, and suffering.
Romanticism and Nature: Study how Romantic writers glorified nature, using it as a symbol of truth, beauty, and spiritual insight.
The Romantic Imagination: Analyse the role of the imagination in Romantic literature, a key aspect in literary Romanticism that celebrates the power of the individual's creative vision.
Romanticism and Gothic Literature: Examine the relationship between Romanticism and Gothic literature, which share elements of suspense, horror, and the supernatural, as well as a fascination with the mysteries of the human psyche.
Romanticism and Politics: Investigate the political beliefs and social concerns of Romantic writers, including their views on revolution, individual rights, and freedom of thought.
Romanticism and Nationalism: Explore the notion of Romantic nationalism, which glorifies a nation's culture, customs, and heritage, promoting a sense of unity among the people.
The Romantic Movement: Learn about the historical context that gave birth to Romanticism, examining the impact of the French Revolution, the cultural changes of the industrial revolution, and the rise of Romanticism as a literary movement.
- "Romanticism was characterized by its emphasis on emotion and individualism as well as glorification of the past and nature, preferring the medieval to the classical."
- "Romanticism was partly a reaction to the Industrial Revolution, and the prevailing ideology of the Age of Enlightenment, especially the scientific rationalization of Nature."
- "It was embodied most strongly in the visual arts, music, and literature; it also had a major impact on historiography, education, chess, social sciences, and the natural sciences."
- "Romantic thinking influenced conservatism, liberalism, radicalism, and nationalism."
- "The movement emphasized intense emotion as an authentic source of aesthetic experience."
- "It granted a new importance to experiences of sympathy, awe, wonder, and terror."
- "Romantics stressed the nobility of folk art and ancient cultural practices, but also championed radical politics, unconventional behavior, and authentic spontaneity."
- "In contrast to the rationalism and classicism of the Enlightenment, Romanticism revived medievalism and juxtaposed a pastoral conception of a more 'authentic' European past with a highly critical view of recent social changes, including urbanization, brought about by the Industrial Revolution."
- "Many Romantic ideals were first articulated by German thinkers in the Sturm und Drang movement, which elevated intuition and emotion above Enlightenment rationalism."
- "The events and ideologies of the French Revolution were also direct influences on the movement; many early Romantics throughout Europe sympathized with the ideals and achievements of French revolutionaries."
- "Romanticism lionized the achievements of 'heroic' individuals – especially artists, who began to be represented as cultural leaders."
- "Romanticism also prioritized the artist's unique, individual imagination above the strictures of classical form."
- "In the second half of the 19th century, Realism emerged as a response to Romanticism, and was in some ways a reaction against it."
- "Romanticism suffered an overall decline during this period, as it was overshadowed by new cultural, social, and political movements, many of them hostile to the perceived illusions and preoccupations of the Romantics."
- "However, it has had a lasting impact on Western civilization."
- "Many 'Romantic', 'neo-Romantic', and 'post-Romantic' artists and thinkers created their most enduring works after the end of the Romantic Era as such."