Medieval story telling — knightly chivalry and adventure?
Romanticism as a movement
17th century —around 300 years ago … emotion and individualism, to be “romantic” like on TV or the movies?
Why to think the notion of being “romantic” like flowers and stuff
Think Ancient Greek?
The shift from a classical to a romantic mindset represents a profound transformation in Western thought and culture, spanning several centuries. Let’s outline this evolution in more detail:
- Classical Period (Rationalism and Order): Before the Romantic era, the Classical period, heavily influenced by Ancient Greek and Roman philosophies, dominated. This era valued reason, symmetry, and clarity. Art and literature focused on harmony, proportion, and adherence to strict forms. The Enlightenment furthered these ideals, emphasizing scientific rationality and logical thinking.
- Emergence of Romanticism (Late 18th Century): The seeds of Romanticism were sown as a reaction against the rationalism of the Enlightenment and the industrial revolution. People began to feel a disconnect with the rapidly changing, industrializing world and yearned for a return to nature and simplicity.
- Philosophical Foundations: Romantic thinkers like Rousseau argued for the primacy of individual experience and emotion over reason. Kant’s philosophy, emphasizing the sublime and the limits of human understanding, also influenced Romanticism.
- Art and Literature: Romantic artists and writers rebelled against the strict forms and rationalism of classical art. They emphasized emotion, nature, and individual expression. Painters like Turner and poets like Wordsworth and Shelley depicted the sublime beauty of nature, the depths of emotion, and the importance of personal experience.
- Political and Social Changes: The Romantic era coincided with significant political upheavals, including the American and French Revolutions. These events reflected and fueled Romantic ideals of individual liberty and the questioning of traditional authority.
- Legacy and Transition to Modernism: The Romantic emphasis on individualism and emotion laid the groundwork for later movements like Realism and Modernism. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these movements began to challenge and transform the Romantic ideals, leading to more diverse and complex cultural and artistic expressions.
In summary, the shift to Romanticism represented a move away from the structured, rational world of the Classical era to one that valued emotion, nature, and the individual. This shift profoundly impacted art, literature, philosophy, and society, setting the stage for the diverse and complex cultural landscape of the modern world.