Characteristics of Romanticism

Interest in the Common Man and Childhood

Romantics viewed humans as naturally good, corrupted mainly by urban civilization. They idealized the “noble savage” and the purity of childhood, believing the emotions stirred by these ideas elevate the human spirit.

Strong Senses, Emotions, and Feelings

Intuition was valued over logical deduction. True knowledge, according to Romantic thinkers like Wordsworth, arises from powerful, spontaneous emotion—hence the emphasis on heartfelt experience in poetry and art.

Awe of Nature

Nature was treated as a sublime, inspiring force. Romantics sought deep emotional and spiritual connections with the natural world, rejecting the Enlightenment’s attempt to rationalize or dissect it.

Celebration of the Individual

The movement praised unique, often misunderstood heroes and outcasts. Personal achievement and self-expression stood above societal norms, highlighting individual dignity and creativity.

Importance of Imagination

Imagination was seen as the supreme faculty of the mind, granting personal authority and creative power. It legitimized subjective experience as a source of truth and artistic innovation.