Characteristics of Romanticism Essay

1. Medievalism – looking on the past to a simpler lifestyle (the good ole days). †Written in the Close of Spring† by Charlotte Smith 2. Orientalism – (exotic locales) places that everyday people would not venture. Mystery – emotional stimulus. 3. Primitivism – belief that man was born inherently good. (Noble Savage – writing by people of primitive cultures – Africa, Native American) Society makes them bad. 4. Progress – Romantics were not against progress but feared the effects on society. Man could create a better world without materialism. 5. Anti-intellectualism – belief that everything is just not rational. †The Tables Turned† by William Wordsworth 6. Sentimentalism – (emotions) very affected by what they see. Raw formality. 7. Humanitarism – believed that all men were created equal and that you should help others. 8. Democracy – supporters of the French revolution until it became violent. Agreed with the civil American revolution, used portage to fight for reform. 9. Originality – New poetic formats and genres. 10. Diversity – Authors wrote books and music, but did not write in one style. Mastered the art of writing. 11. Confessionalism – art is a confession of the inner soul. Characters confess and express how they feel. 12. Purgative Purpose of Art – authors believed their writings were cleansing their souls. †Lines Composed a Few Miles away from Tintern Abbey† by William Wordsworth 13. Protest and Dissent – Original Protesters ills of society and the church. Not all authors of this era believed in this. †Lines Written in Early Spring† by William Wordsworth 14. A love of the wild and picturesque – Nature is almost a character in novels. Nature inspires creativity. †Pastoral Poesy† by John Clare