Romanticism

About

Romanticism was a cultural and intellectual movement that emerged in Europe during the late 18th century. It emphasized emotion, nature, and individualism, reacting against the rationalism of the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution. Key figures like Lord Byron and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe exemplified these ideals through their works. Romanticism celebrated the beauty of nature, the power of imagination, and the importance of personal experiences. It also explored themes of love, passion, and the sublime, often evoking strong emotional responses in audiences. Romantic literature featured a range of genres, including lyric poetry, odes, ballads, and Gothic novels. Authors like William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge in England, and Victor Hugo in France, contributed significantly to the movement. American Romanticism developed later, focusing on national identity and the American landscape. This movement celebrated individualism and the unknown, reflecting the optimism and exploration of the American frontier. Overall, Romanticism's impact on literature was profound, shaping themes and styles that continue to influence art and literature today.