Romanticism Late 1700’s - mid 1800’s

Essential Questions What does a romantic view of the world look like? What do all Romantics have in common, and how do they differ? How do Romantic authors use language to persuade their readers to accept their views? What are the Romantic authors trying to make us feel? Are they successful? Why do we have trouble getting into some authors, but fall in love with others? What would be the benefits or drawbacks of everybody having a romantic mindset? Do we have a romantic mindset already?

Learning Objectives Gain a basic understanding of Romanticism as an inter-disciplinary movement Introduction to the “5 I’s” Clearly see the fundamental differences between Romantic art and the Neoclassical art that came before it

Enlightenment/Age of Reason Historical Context Enlightenment/Age of Reason Middle Ages Renaissance Romanticism 400-1400’s 1300-1600’s Late 1600’s-late 1700’s Late 1700’s-mid 1800’s

Romanticism as a Movement Art Joseph Turner Eugene Delacroix Music Late Beethoven Brahms Dvorak Literature Thoreau Emerson Wordsworth Philosophy Rousseau

The 5 I’s 1. Imagination 2. Intuition 3. Idealism 4. Inspiration 5. Individuality

Imagination Imagination > Reason Countered the values of the “Age of Reason” Considered necessary for all art

Intuition Valued gut instinct over reason Intuition (n.) The ability to understand something immediately without the need for conscious reasoning

Idealism Belief that the world can be a better place Emphasizes mind and spirit over matter Thought has a crucial role in creating the world we live in

Inspiration Spontaneity is valued Being a creator Values artistry over mastery

Individuality Values the individual above society People are at their best when surrounded by nature Walt Whitman, “I celebrate myself…” Revolution American Revolution French Revolution Women’s Rights Abolitionism

Themes Medieval Themes: Courtly love, chivalry, bravery, damsels in distress Nature Individual Expression Emotion Supernatural Truth Gothicism Simplicity, as in urbanization causes societal ailments Rebellion and revolution Death

Compare and Contrast Neoclassicism Romanticism Reasonable/Practical - Emotional - Public responsibility - Individualism and self-reliance Form - Creative energy Mundane - Exotic Repressed desire - Satisfaction of desire - Love for urban life - Love for solitude and nature - Appreciation for Greco-Roman - Rebirth of medieval themes- love, adventure traditions - “anti-Classicism”

Visual Art Neoclassical art: valued form, symmetry, and perfection. Romantic art: deeply emotional, exotic Liberty leading the people, by Eugene Delacroix, 1830 Death of Marat, by Jacques-Louis David, 1793

Music Classical music: Romantic music: Mozart, Haydn. Ordered, balanced format and simple harmonies. Romantic music: late Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorak. More flexible formats and complex harmonies to express a deeper range of emotion.

Literature In America, the Romantic movement affected literature more than any other art. Authors explored supernatural and gothic themes (Poe) Authors also wrote about nature, and how a return to nature could result in divine inspiration. Authors: Ralph Waldo Emerson Henry David Thoreau Nathaniel Hawthorne Kate Chopin Poets: Walt Whitman Emily Dickinson Edgar Allan Poe