Romanticism

Romanticism

What is Romanticism?

  • A movement that emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

  • Focuses on emotion, individualism, and nature over classical ideals.

Origins of Romantic Thought

The French Revolution

  • Launched ideals of liberty, equality, and brotherhood.

  • Inspired a radical change in society and art.

Criticizing the Enlightenment

  • Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805): "Nature, in her physical creation, points the way we should take in moral creation."

  • A shift from reason to emotion and intuition in understanding the world.

The Industrial Revolution

  • Change in social and economic structures.

  • J.M.W. Turner, "The Thames above Waterloo Bridge" (1830-5) - emphasizes the romanticized view of nature amid industrialization.

Consumerism & City Culture

Eiffel Tower

  • A symbol of modernity and innovation.

The Crystal Palace Spectacle

  • Reflection of industrial achievements; a manifestation of consumer culture.

The Department Store

  • Emile Zola, "The Ladies' Paradise," showcases the emergence of urban consumerism.

    • Highlight: MAISON DU BON MARCHE, a pioneering department store.

    • Showcases the 24 nouveautés (new products).

The Urban Flâneur

  • Concept of a leisurely urban explorer in metropolitan settings.

Nightlife Culture

Gas Lighting

  • Introduction of gas lighting changed urban nightlife and culture.

London's East End: Whitechapel

  • Home to notorious figures like Jack the Ripper.

  • Main subject: Mary Kelly's tragic fate – represents themes of neglect and loss in urban settings.

The Paris Morgue: A Tourist Spectacle

  • Represents the darker side of urban life and morbid curiosity of the era.

Digital Detox

  • Challenge to unplug from technology for a week (April 20th-26th).

Ferdinand Tönnies (1855-1936)

  • Concepts of Gemeinschaft (community) and Gesellschaft (society).

Romanticism & Literature

Medieval Fiction

  • Prominent influence on Romantic writers.

German Romanticism

Sturm und Drang (Storm and Stress)

  • A literary movement emphasizing emotional turbulence and rebellion.

  • Claude Joseph Vernet: "Shipwreck" (1759) illustrates Romanticism's affinity for dramatic natural imagery.

Key Figures:

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)

  • Works: "Gotz von Berlichingen" and "The Sufferings of Young Werther" (1774) - pivotal in initiating Romantic literary themes.

Karl von Schlegel (1772-1829)
August von Schlegel (1767-1845)

William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

  • Co-author of "Lyrical Ballads" (1798), establishing Romantic poetry.

  • Asks, "What is a poet?" - emphasizes the emotional and natural connection in poetry.

Romantic Poetry: The Sublime

  • Immanuel Kant (1724-1804): The sublime evokes intense emotions and elevated experiences.

  • Associated with fear and awe in nature.

Poetry Highlights

William Wordsworth, “Tintern Abbey” (1798)

  • Reflects on nature's restorative power and its emotional resonance.

    • Themes of memory, loss, and joy in nature.

  • Rich imagery of natural beauty and human emotions.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge, “Kubla Khan” (c. 1797)

  • Embodies romantic notions of dreams, nature, and exoticism.

    • The vivid contrast between glory and decay.

William Blake (1757-1827)

  • Advocates for creativity and self-identity against societal norms.

    • "I must create a system or be enslaved by another man's."

William Blake's Poems:

“The Lamb” (1789)

  • Innocence and creation; explores the relationship between creator and creation.

“The Tyger” (1794)

  • Contrasts innocence with fearsome creation; ponders the nature of the creator.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

The Importance of Being Earnest (1895)

  • Critiques Victorian morality and superficiality.

    • Views hedonism as a pivotal theme.

The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890)

  • Features themes of art, morality, and the dual nature of beauty.

Romanticism & Art

Transition to Neoclassicism

  • Artists began to shift focus towards emotion and individuality.

Key Artists:

Théodore Géricault, "The Raft of the Medusa" (1819)

  • Reflects human suffering and tragedy.

Eugene Delacroix, "The Death of Sardanapalus" (1827)

  • Exudes exoticism and emotional drama.

J.M.W. Turner, "Rain, Steam and Speed: The Great Western Railway" (1844)

  • Documents the interplay of nature and industry.

Impressionism - Claude Monet (1840-1926)

  • Emphasizes light and perspective in capturing momentary effects.

Romanticism & Music

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827)

Symphony No. 5 – Mvt. 1

  • Characterized by strong contrasts and explosive accents.

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)

Nocturne in G Minor

  • Notable for its complex rhythms and emotive depth.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893)

1812 Overture

  • A portrayal of conflict using diverse musical influences.

Hector Berlioz (1803-1869)

Symphonie Fantastique, Mvt. 5 – Dream of a Witches’ Sabbath

  • Contains supernatural themes expressed through unique orchestration.

Links to Other "Isms"

Nationalism

  • Romanticism emphasized national folklore, influencing nationalist movements.

Industrialism

  • Critiqued the impact and alienation caused by the Industrial Revolution.

Imperialism

  • Romantic literature often overlooked the brutal aspects of imperialism.