Essay on The Romantic Era a.k.a. the Enlightment Era

Romantic literature is often referred to as excessive in emotion and aspiration. The response to the new science in the Romantic Era was very complex and it contained a few essential characteristics. Romantic writers replaced the worlds view implied by past views on physics with a vision of nature as a dynamic entity. They also identified poetry as a source of higher truths and reaffirmed the significance of spirituality. The Romantics highlighted the dark side of progress or scientific and technological improvements.

Romanticism, or also known as the “The Romantic Period”, refers to the cultural movements that occurred in England, Europe, and America from 1770 to the 1860s. In this literary period, romantic writers saw themselves revolting against another period called the “Age of

If the Enlightenment was a movement which started among the elite and spread through society to pose its influence, Romanticism was widespread both in its origins and influence. Through the transformation of the basic arts such as poetry, the novel and drama, there has never been such an intellectual/artistic movement that has had such popularity ever since the end of the Middle Ages. At the time, people's fears, hopes and aspirations were the key elements that drove this literary movement to greatness. Knowingly, the Romantic Period was the voice of revolution in the late 1800's, early 1900's. Indeed, many famous writers such as John Keats, Mary Shelly, Lord Byron and Emily Brontë were recognized amongst the citizens for their exquisite work

During the Romantic era poets were beginning to concentrate on nature, beauty, and explore the mysteries of life and death. The era was one that focused on the commonality of humankind and, while using emotion and nature the poets and their works shed light on people’s universal natures (Hall). Romantic works relate the author’s personal feelings and emotions and also focus on a more detailed natural setting. The period was also a time of poverty, urbanization, discrimination against women, and the debtor’s prison.

Casper David Friedrich was known as a romantic painter of sublime sorrow. Born on September the 5th in 1774 in Germany, Friedrich’s art teaches us how to recognise suffering by evoking scenes which are gloomy, miserable and painful which highlights the feeling in which we may be experiencing at the time whether it be caused by isolation, a broken heart or confusion. The German artist was determined to create a spiritual landscape which went against the Italian masters. He uses simple, geometric composition and spiritual concepts with graphic techniques.

Throughout the 1800s in Europe many people went through rough and hard times to just survive. Any hope given to them was much needed instead of the empowerment that was enforced. Romanticism gave these people hope, which influenced their minds and opened another door. The inspiration of art, music, and literacy during these time helped people when they needed it the most. Which influenced more inventors and artist throughout the Romanticism era.

The Enlightenment, or Age of Reason (1647-1789), and the Romantic Era (1790-1832) were two contrasting yet consecutive periods in history that consisted of fundamentally opposing works. While Romantics believed that the Enlightenment era created an oppressed and conformist society, Enlightenment thinkers regarded the Romantics as naive and too emotional. Although the Enlightenment and Romantic periods were at odds in distinct ways, both aspired to improve humanity, liberate the self, and emphasize their unique values through referencing Greek mythology.

The Romanticism era of 1785-1825 was an age of which many people had their own idea of how the period worked. Writers, philosophers, poets, artist and musicians all explored their mediums of music, art and writing to express their own concepts. The key themes and ideas of romanticism involves emotional expression, nature/natural worlds, imagination and individualism.

The romantic literary movement is a time period from the late 1700's to the mid-1800's. Romanticism took place as an effect to the frustration people felt with the ideas after the French Revolution of 1789. The literary movement is focused on passion rather than a reason, and imagination overruled logic. Romanticism was built on the expression of the emotions such as love, jealousy, compassion, etc. Romantics yearn for the infinite and viewed nature as a free spirit that had no restraint or order. Which

In the beginning period of Romanticism, subjectivity and intuition began to emerge and the movement started to affect people's ideas. Caspar David Friedrich's artwork was essential to intensifying and really dissecting the idea of what Romanticism was. It gave a different light to natural philosophy as well as pushing the boundaries to the subject work of art.

Romantic writers used alot of figurative language such as similes, personification, metaphors. These techniques offered romantic writers to really express themselves and their mood and message. In previous styles they couldn't really do that the way they wanted. I think these techniques and styles were effective as not many people understanded them or relate to

This was written in the romantic period. The Romantic period began in 1785 through 1832. This period was short, but it introduced many new literary visions and some considered this the most important period. During this period, Romanticism stressed self-expression and to be unique and spiritual. Writers borrowed themes from the Middle ages and expanded their imaginations in mystery and spiritual ideas. They also were interested in Nationalism and folk culture and used these themes to influence their works.

In reaction to The Enlightenment, the period of Romanticism rises in the nineteenth century; with its major influences in the arts. Romantics focused on the individual and emotion over reason. Nature is their biggest influence. Through nature romantics could be closer to a supreme being. When it came it religion, the romantics were drawn to Christianity, but did not consider themselves Christians. In her essay “Defence of Poetry,” Percy Shelley describes the characteristics of Romanticism, when describing poetry. She uses phrases like “the expression of the imagination,” to describe poetry. (Percy Shelley, Defence of Poetry). In her essay Shelley describes what true poetry is and consists of. Her descriptions resemble the ones of Romanticism. Thus, what is Romanticism? It is one of the hardest periods to define as Hobsbawm states, “As a style, a school, an era in the arts, nothing is harder to define or even describe in terms of formal analysis…” (The Age of Revolution, 257). Even though Romanticism can be described as undefinable, its presence could be felt throughout Europe.

The Romantic period was a time of literary, artistic, and musical expression that allowed groups of academics in England to evolve into a defined movement. Romanticism is identified with ideals of love, nature, and other identities that are almost always associated with those of the Romantics. Of Romantic texts, the idea of the period is that love and nature, are able to surpass rational being and enhances the ability to deal with daily life. This idea of emotion and the glorification of nature were carried out throughout the period and most authors stuck to this way of thinking and expressing. As this was a critical time in literary history, there were many writers that exhibited the capabilities, thoughts, and feelings of what it truly means to be a Romantic author. Of all, Lord Byron is accounted as one of the most memorable author’s amongst the plethora of authors who exemplify what it truly means to be a Romantic. Modern critics, however, did not take much acclaim to Byron during his time period. As Lord Byron is labeled as fairly influential, he was celebrated and loathed during his time, due to his acts as a civilian. This led to the exile of Byron as well as his accumulation to many debts. In accordance with Lord Byron’s works there is great belief that he has influenced authors after his time. With great works such as Don Juan, Lord Byron can be regarded as one of the most influential writers within the Romantic

The poets of the Romantic period wrote during the tumultuous era of the French Revolution. It is because of the time period in which they lived and created that these writers came to value that which is common and serene and beautiful. One of the elements that the Romantics valued is the imagination. Poets like Samuel Taylor Coleridge called upon the powers of imagination to bring relief and peace to their chaotic worlds. John Keats illustrated what effects the imagination can have when it is allowed to permeate reality. Both of these poets demonstrate how imagination shapes reality and how these images are projected onto the natural world.