Download In the Romantic Period we see an explosive release of artistic

In the Romantic Period we see an explosive release of artistic energy, an experimental boldness,
and creative power that marks an artistic renaissance
Age of Reason Vs Romantic Era
In the Age of Reason, Writers stressed:
Reason and Judgment
Concern with the universal experience
The value of society as a whole
The value of rules
In the Romantic Era, Writers stressed:
Imagination and Emotion
Concern with the particular experience
The value of the individual human being
The value of freedom
Characteristics of the Romantic Era
1. Common Man and Childhood over Urban Sophistication
Romantics believed in the natural goodness of humans, which is hindered by the urban life
of civilization. They believed that the savage is noble, childhood is good and the emotions inspired
by both beliefs causes the heart to soar.
2. Emotions over Reason
Romantics believed that knowledge is gained through intuition rather than deduction. This is
best summed up by Wordsworth who stated that “all good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of
powerful feelings.”
Imagination, Emotions, and Intuition. Exaltation of intense feelings.
Descartes: I think, therefore I am.
vs
Rousseau: I felt before I thought.
Subjectivity of approach; the cult of the individual; the absolute uniqueness of every individual.
3. Nature over Artificial
Romantics stressed the awe of nature in art and language and the experience of sublimity
through a connection with nature. Romantics rejected the ideas of the industrial revolution.
Idealization of Nature
Rousseau: “Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains.” In other words, civilization is in part
the cause of our corruption.
4. The Individual over Society
Romantics often elevated the achievements of the misunderstood, heroic individual outcast
(l'eroe romantico è un individuo incompreso, un emarginato dalla società).
5. Imagination over Logic
Romantics legitimized the individual imagination as a critical authority.
The Romantic period has its origin in the French Revolution, which is very important because it
represents the dawn of a new era, it gives a new impulse to men’s minds.
A value that comes from the French Revolution is Freedom of thought and expression.
The French Revolution represents a revolt against authority and tyranny, against the ancient regime,
whether social, political, religious, or artistic.
------------
The Industrial Revolution (pp. 158-159)
 Economic liberalism: “laissez faire”, let do, a different economic philosophy based on the
free trade, that meant that there were a very few number of rules or laws which had to
control the buying and selling of goods and services
 The Industrial Revolution : 1760 → 1840 it was a process of enormous changes:
 from an agrarian handicraft (artigianato) economy to an industrial one dominated by
industry and machine manufacture; this was possible thanks to technical innovations
and inventions (new materials: iron, steel, new energy sources: coal, petroleum,
electricity, steam engine)
 the increase of production, number of workers needed, factory system
 transportation, communication
Consequences of the Industrial Revolution (pp. 160-161)
 social unrest (agitazione) caused by:
 unemployment (because of the use of new machines in agriculture and industry
that meant a great reduction in terms of number of workers
 the increase in production called masses of labourers who took bad wages and
lived in very difficult conditions (16 hours a day, over-crowded slums, lack of
hygiene, they had to leave their native lands to go to industrialized cities)
 women (paid less), children (used in mines: because of their size)





the creation of Trade Unions 1824
Socialism
Humanitarian movement – concern for social problems (child)
The emancipation of women
Social reforms
The Romantic Revolution (p. 164)
-
Pre-Romantic tendencies:
 The sublime: as aesthetic and philosophical ideal, this term is used by the
reviewers to include all the ideas about Romantic human perceptions.
It indicates also strength, irregularity, fear.
 The beautiful: means classical harmony, balance and regularity in form.
 The Gothic novel: where there are some tendencies and interests on night,
darkness, death.
Romantic term: indicates something marked by feelings rather than intellect; loneliness; melancholy
-
The Romantic Revolution:
 The immense impact of the French Revolution (writers were in favour of it,
they believed in its ethical values)
 Consequences …