Romantic Period Essay Example
Romantic Period Literature Characteristics:
Love of Nature
Love of the Common Man
Neo-Classicism
The Supernatural
Nationalism
Heroism
Strange and Far-away Places
Love of Nature
Emotions and instinct became more important than reason. There was a glorification of “The Natural Man”, the “noble savage,” and the primitive and untutored personality. Primitivism, meaning the thought that the simple and unsophisticated life was best, also grew popular. These ideas led to an interest in old civilizations, glorification of Greek society, a study in archeology developed as a science, with Egyptian and Medieval areas important to study. Also, the Medieval studies, urged by nationalism, helped nations develop identity, which was an important aspect of Romantic Period ideas.
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Love of the Common Man
The social and economic classes were disparaged, or put down. An era of revolutions opened when the governments were overthrown, due to the fact that it often seemed to require elimination of social classes. The American writers also provided a way to satisfy a cultural need for lore, or a mythology suitable to a new nation. The literature presented this in many pieces.
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Neo-Classicism
Neo-Classicism means a return to the Classic ideals of: clearness, elegance, symmetry, and repose produced by attention to traditional forms. It was sometimes synonymous with excellence or artistic quality of high distinction. Also, the term refers to the admiration and imitation of Greek and Roman literature, art, and architecture.
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The Supernatural
Fascination with the supernatural was a characteristic of the Romantic Period. This included: the unexplainable, horror, and anything that evoked the emotion of fear.
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Nationalism
Nationalism was a reaction against the dominating influences of German literature. Writers aimed to write works which were expressive and characteristic of their own nationality by: using scenes from their country’s life,
Love of Nature
Love of the Common Man
Neo-Classicism
The Supernatural
Nationalism
Heroism
Strange and Far-away Places
Love of Nature
Emotions and instinct became more important than reason. There was a glorification of “The Natural Man”, the “noble savage,” and the primitive and untutored personality. Primitivism, meaning the thought that the simple and unsophisticated life was best, also grew popular. These ideas led to an interest in old civilizations, glorification of Greek society, a study in archeology developed as a science, with Egyptian and Medieval areas important to study. Also, the Medieval studies, urged by nationalism, helped nations develop identity, which was an important aspect of Romantic Period ideas.
Top
Love of the Common Man
The social and economic classes were disparaged, or put down. An era of revolutions opened when the governments were overthrown, due to the fact that it often seemed to require elimination of social classes. The American writers also provided a way to satisfy a cultural need for lore, or a mythology suitable to a new nation. The literature presented this in many pieces.
Top
Neo-Classicism
Neo-Classicism means a return to the Classic ideals of: clearness, elegance, symmetry, and repose produced by attention to traditional forms. It was sometimes synonymous with excellence or artistic quality of high distinction. Also, the term refers to the admiration and imitation of Greek and Roman literature, art, and architecture.
Top
The Supernatural
Fascination with the supernatural was a characteristic of the Romantic Period. This included: the unexplainable, horror, and anything that evoked the emotion of fear.
Top
Nationalism
Nationalism was a reaction against the dominating influences of German literature. Writers aimed to write works which were expressive and characteristic of their own nationality by: using scenes from their country’s life,