The Literature of Love Context: Romantic Literature Flashcards
Basic idea
About a passion for nature and the emphasis on feeling and emotion rather than logical reasoning
NOT a historical period but a literary movement. Dates roughly from 1789 (French Revolution) until roughly 1830
Logical thought and understanding are abandoned in favour of instinctive, immediate feeling or intuition
A reaction against the Age of Enlightenment/Reason (1620s-1780)
The 5 I’s that characterise Romanticism
Imagination
Intuition
Idealism
Inspiration
Individuality
Imagination
Emphasised over reason
Backlash against the rationalism which characterised the Age of Enlightenment/Reason
Imagination necessary to escape/transform the world
Creativity seen as powerful and god-like
Intuition
Intuition and instincts valued
William Wordsworth (a pioneer of Romanticism) said he aimed to develop poetry from the “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings”
Idealism
Concept that we can make the world a better place
Involves sacrificing immediate concerns in pursuit of a far off goal
Inspiration
A Romantic artist, musician or writer is an “inspired creator” rather than a “technical master” - “went with the moment” rather than being precise
Nature inspired - they believed it freed their minds and stopped them from thinking in terms of narrow human concerns
Individuality
Romantics celebrated the absolute uniqueness of every individual