Chapter 1: The Complexity of Romanticism

Romanticism is often viewed as a counter to the rationality that characterized the Enlightenment and the Scientific Revolution. This perception tends to frame the relationship between science—previously regarded as philosophy—and the works of Romantic poets as one of straightforward opposition. Here, reason is seen as triumphing over emotion, while the Romantics champion feelings and sensitivity. While this perspective serves as a useful entry point to understanding Romanticism and contains elements of truth, it ultimately simplifies a much richer narrative.

Another interpretation posits that Romanticism represents a departure from the classical mimetic tradition towards a focus on personal expression. M. H. Abrams’s influential work, The Mirror and the Lamp: Romantic Theory and the Critical Tradition (1953), illustrates this perspective well. Although this view holds considerable merit, it also risks oversimplification. Indeed, while the emphasis on personal expression is a significant hallmark of Romanticism, the writers of this era did not merely substitute mimesis for personal expression.

I propose that a more nuanced understanding of the transition from mimetic forms to personal expression reveals that Romantic authors enhanced and evolved existing literary conventions by infusing them with personal sentiment. This evolution can be conceptualized as a dialectical relationship between the established mimetic modes and the emerging forms of personal expression. Progress in this context was not linear but rather dialectical.

Similarly, regarding the earlier perspective, there existed a creative tension between poetry and science. The Romantic poets did not aim to dismiss reason; instead, they sought to actualize its full potential by harmonizing it with emotional depth.

Section 1.1: Romanticism and Rationalism

The relationship between Romanticism and rational thought is intricate.

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Subsection 1.1.1: The Dialectical Nature of Progress

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Chapter 2: Exploring Romanticism through Video

The first video, What is Romanticism? offers an insightful overview of the movement's core principles and themes, enhancing our understanding of its complexities.

The second video, Romanticism, further delves into the intricacies of this influential literary movement, providing additional context and analysis.