Romanticism Overview

What is Romanticism?

   Romanticism was a movement in the 18th century that focused on individualism, the act of being inspired, and the opposite of rationalism. It is seen in literature, music, and art
   Some of the major characteristics of Romanticism was the love of nature, the idea that the hero must connect to the audience, the country side was seen as independence where as the city was seen as corruption and death.
   Romanticism was seen all over America and Europe in a way for people to express themselves and show their individuality. 
   The line in the poem, The Cross of Snow by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, "The legend of a life more benedight". This line shows romanticism because it is very expressive and it is not facts or evidence, it is a feeling and it is pretty, which is common for romanticism. Romanticism commonly is written in a very specific way that makes the world seem perfect and very beautiful. 
   If you look at the poem, The Cross of Snow by Henry Longfellow, as a whole you can see that it incorporates nature into the whole story, and he uses the mountain and the seasons to express his feelings toward the death of his wife. 
   Another quote to show romanticism is, "The sun through dazzling snow-mist shone". From the poem A Winter Idyl by John Whittier, shows the significance of nature and the beauty it has. The importance of nature and its relevance to our lives is seen through out the entire poem, and in many other romantic poems.