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Romanticism
A term loosely applied to literary and artistic movements of the
late 18th and 19th centuries. Resulting in part from the libertarian
and egalitarian ideals of the French Revolution, the romantic
movements had in common only a revolt against the prescribed
rules of classicism.

The basic aims of romanticism were various: a return to nature and

to belief in the goodness of humanity; the rediscovery of the artist
as a supremely individual creator; the development of nationalistic
pride; and the exaltation of the senses and emotions over reason
and intellect. In addition, romanticism was a philosophical revolt
against rationalism.

Common themes during this era:

1. Encouraged the expression of emotion

2 They stressed on the imagination

3. Importance of personal feelings/subjectivity

4. There was an almost religious-like attachment to nature

5. They had a fascination with exotic

6. There was a rejection of the progress achieved in Western civilization and a

nostalgia for the past.

7. There was suspicion of uniformity at the expense of individuality

8. They encouraged the attainment and search for intuitive truth

9. A belief in the innate goodness of man

1
1770-1880- Age of Romanticism
Overview: The 18th C Antecedents

-Ideas associated with the Scientific revolution and the Enlightenment produced
questions about the monopoly of political power, which traditionally had rested
with European kings and the nobility, and the resulting social inequalities. Such
challenges eventually led to the two great political upheavals of the late eighteenth
century, the American Revolution (1776-1783) and the French Revolution (1789-
1799).

-Jean-Jacque Rousseau (1712-1778) (one of the pillars of the French Revolution)

His ties with Enlightenment traditions rest in his belief in the innate goodness of
humanity.

-He rejected the idea that contemporary civilization and its advances had made the
world better.

He believed man’s nature is naturally good and that civilization corrupts the
individual.

He also disliked the excessive optimism and emphasis on reason that dominated
Enlightenment thought.