1. Enlightenment Ideals: While seemingly at odds with the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and objectivity, the Romantics were, in fact, reacting against the perceived limitations of these ideals. They felt that the Enlightenment had become too focused on logic and scientific analysis, neglecting the importance of emotion, imagination, and individual experience.
2. The Rise of Individualism: The Romantic era saw a growing emphasis on the individual and their unique perspective. This was fueled by political and social changes, such as the French Revolution, which challenged traditional hierarchies and emphasized personal freedom. Romantics believed that individual experience and intuition held valuable insights that could be expressed through art.
3. The Power of Nature: The Romantic movement was deeply connected to the natural world. Romantics believed that nature held a spiritual and emotional power that could inspire creativity and provide a sense of wonder and awe. They saw nature as a source of inspiration and a reflection of the divine.
4. The Value of Emotion and Imagination: The Romantics placed great value on emotion and imagination. They believed that these faculties were essential for understanding the world and creating art. They emphasized the importance of emotional expression and the power of imagination to create new worlds and experiences.
5. The Gothic Tradition: The Gothic literature of the 18th century provided a significant influence on the Romantics. Gothic works, with their emphasis on the supernatural, the macabre, and the irrational, resonated with the Romantic fascination with the dark and mysterious aspects of human experience.
6. German Idealism: The philosophical movement of German Idealism, particularly the works of Immanuel Kant and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, also influenced Romantic thought. German Idealism emphasized the importance of subjective experience and the power of the mind to shape reality.
In essence, the Romantics sought to move away from the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and objectivity, embracing instead the power of emotion, imagination, and individual experience in their approach to literature.