The Literature of Love Context: Romantic Literature

Question 1

Basic idea

Answer 1

About a passion for nature and the emphasis on feeling and emotion rather than logical reasoning

NOT a historical period but a literary movement. Dates roughly from 1789 (French Revolution) until roughly 1830

Logical thought and understanding are abandoned in favour of instinctive, immediate feeling or intuition

A reaction against the Age of Enlightenment/Reason (1620s-1780)

Question 2

The 5 I’s that characterise Romanticism

Answer 2

Imagination

Intuition

Idealism

Inspiration

Individuality

Question 3

Imagination

Answer 3

Emphasised over reason

Backlash against the rationalism which characterised the Age of Enlightenment/Reason

Imagination necessary to escape/transform the world

Creativity seen as powerful and god-like

Question 4

Intuition

Answer 4

Intuition and instincts valued

William Wordsworth (a pioneer of Romanticism) said he aimed to develop poetry from the “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings”

Question 5

Idealism

Answer 5

Concept that we can make the world a better place

Involves sacrificing immediate concerns in pursuit of a far off goal

Question 6

Inspiration

Answer 6

A Romantic artist, musician or writer is an “inspired creator” rather than a “technical master” - “went with the moment” rather than being precise

Nature inspired - they believed it freed their minds and stopped them from thinking in terms of narrow human concerns

Question 7

Individuality

Answer 7

Romantics celebrated the absolute uniqueness of every individual