Romantic Characteristic

Description of Characteristic

Interest in the Common Man and Childhood

Romantics believed in the natural goodness of

humans which is hindered by the urban life of

civilization. They believed that the savage is noble, childhood is good and the emotions inspired by both beliefs causes the heart to soar.

Strong senses, emotions, and feelings

Romantics believed that knowledge is gained

through intuition rather than deduction. This is

best summed up by Wordsworth who stated that “all good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.”

Awe of nature

Romantics stressed the awe of nature in art and

language and the experience of sublimity through a connection with nature. Romantics rejected the rationalization of nature by the previous thinkers of the Enlightenment period.

Celebration of the Individual

Romantics often elevated the achievements of the misunderstood, heroic individual outcast.

Importance of Imagination

Romantics legitimized the individual imagination a critical authority.