Romanticism: A Cultural and Artistic Movement
1. Definition of Romanticism
2. Sources of Romanticism
Romanticism emerged in England and Germany in the late 18th century, later expanding to France, Italy, and Spain. Initially a literary movement, its aesthetic influence soon extended to other fields. Flourishing throughout the early and mid-19th century, it fragmented into various schools of thought. Romanticism didn’t emerge suddenly; it built upon preceding trends. A transitional period, known as Pre-Romanticism, developed in the last quarter of the 18th century, laying the groundwork for a new outlook on life and heightened sensitivity. Examples include Goethe in Germany and Richardson in Britain.Characteristics of Romanticism
- Rejection of 18th-century self-importance
- Emphasis on emotion and individualism
- A sense of rebellion and freedom
- Interest in patriotic and national values
Romantic Theatre
Romantic dramas primarily focus on absolute and ideal love, transcending social conventions. Tragic endings often result from the impossibility of achieving pure love in a hostile world. Characters typically lack psychological evolution. Romantic dramas frequently feature love stories set against a historical backdrop, often national history. They blend tragedy and comedy, disregarding the unities of time, place, and action, and mix verse and prose.Romantic Prose
During the Romantic period, there was a strong desire for literary fiction, particularly novels incorporating adventure and mystery. The first quarter of the 19th century saw four main novel types: moral and educational, sentimental, terror, and anticlerical. The historical novel, largely inspired by Walter Scott (who had translated 80 works), with Ivanhoe as a prime example, became particularly prominent, following liberal and moderate trends, including anticlerical and populist currents.Romantic Poetry
Romantic poetry is grounded in the theoretical; the Romantic poet viewed himself as a kind of priest or legislator. The absolute and infinite were central to Romantic sensibility. The “I” became paramount. Grand epics like Lord Byron’s Don Juan or Espronceda’s El estudiante de Salamanca, alongside intensely expressive shorter poems like those of Shelley or Pushkin, dominated.5. Authors and Works
- Edgar Allan Poe
- Victor Hugo
- Lord Byron
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The 18th Century: French Classicism and Neoclassicism
The 18th century saw France become a major European cultural center. The late 17th and early 18th centuries are known as the “century of Louis XIV,” reflecting the monarch’s significant influence and the rise of French Classicism. This era is inextricably linked to the Palace of Versailles, which became a symbol of European culture. Its influence led other European nations to emulate its grandeur, contributing to the development of Neoclassicism. The painting and sculpture of this period were distinctly Neoclassical, a movement that spread across Europe, building upon French Classicism. Neoclassicism emphasized the imitation and revival of Greco-Roman art and culture. 18th-century European literature was heavily influenced by French models, including a renewed interest in Greco-Roman literary forms and Aesop’s fables. While reflecting Enlightenment ideals, it prioritized reason, emphasizing genres like the didactic novel. Literature aimed to educate and uphold strict adherence to rules and standards across all artistic and literary forms.