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The Influence Of The Pointe Shoes In The Romantic Era

Decent Essays

Whether we look at a romantic ballet like La Sylphide or a classical ballet such as Sleeping Beauty, audiences are constantly mesmerized by the gracefulness and weightlessness of the ballet dancers. They seem to defy the laws of physics, which is greatly possible due to the use of the pointe shoe. However, many masterworks that were created in the Romantic era did not solely rely on the pointe shoe to help convey messages. Instead, the choreography, dancers, scenic elements, subject matter, and music all helped shaped masterworks such as La Sylphide, Napoli, and Giselle. Similarly, in the Classical era, these elements all played a role in shaping famous ballets like La Bayadere, Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake. But once we take a closer look at these ballets from the Classical era, we can see how much ballet evolved. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the Romantic era was the stepping stone for this pure art form that we have been able to preserve for more than 160 years.
In the early 19th century, during the Industrial Revolution, the Romantic era in ballet came alive throughout Western Europe. In dance, it is known that the Romantic era came first, not the Classical era. During this time, pointe shoes, with a barely enforced box, made an appearance, allowing dancers to briefly be lifted onto pointe, conveying a look of airiness. Also, emphasis was placed on feelings and emotions rather than reason and intellect, and most story ballets during this time were

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