Difference between Classicism and Romanticism

Classicism

Classicism is a specific genre of philosophy, expressing itself in literature, architecture, art, and music,

which has Ancient Greek and Roman sources and an emphasis on society.

Romanticism

Romanticism is a literary, artistic, and philosophical movement originating in the 18th century, characterized

chiefly by a reaction against neoclassicism and an emphasis on the imagination and emotions.

Differences

 Commonness of human experience interests classicists. While a romantic prefers to seek out novelty,

exoticism, and adventure.

 A romantic is expected to believe in callings, passion, intuition as things to guide action. She would

let things to happen to her spontaneously. But a classicist believes in training, and practice, and

would take a rational, analytical approach to probe decisions like which career to choose or which

person to marry.

 Being polite is important for a classicist. So they would value telling white lies to keep valuable

relationships. But a romantic on the other hand would prefer honesty in her expression of feelings.

She would be transparent.

 A classicist tries to take an objective approach to things. Before criticizing the quality of her school,

she might take a look at the conditions of other schools. A romantic compares the current scenario

with the imagined, idealized picture of her own making.

 Classicism follow the three unities of time , place and action. Romanticism only follows the unity of

action, but does not follow the unities of time, place.

 Romanticism uses simple diction of common men from their everyday life. Classicism uses strict,

rigid and logical diction and theme.