1. Central Focus on Individualism and Subjectivity: Romanticism emphasizes the uniqueness of individual experiences, emotions, thoughts, and imaginations as sources of truth and authenticity. It valorizes the self and seeks to explore the inner complexities of the human mind.
2. Emotional Expression and Intenseness: Romantic writers and artists convey intense emotions, passions, and a heightened sensitivity to feelings. Their works often depict dramatic emotional moments and convey a deep longing or yearning.
3. Idealization of Nature: Nature plays a central role as a source of inspiration and spiritual connection. Romantics view nature as a source of profound beauty, grandeur, and symbolism. They depict nature in idealized and emotional terms, attributing human-like qualities to it (personification) and using nature as a backdrop to mirror human emotions.
4. Transcendentalism and Spiritual Elements: Romanticism often explores the relationship between the material and the spiritual realms. Artists and writers seek to capture the essence of spirituality and the divine, often through the imagery of nature and the subjective experience of awe or wonder.
5. Importance of Imagination and Creativity: Romantics value the power of the imagination as a means of expressing the inner self and connecting to higher truths. Imagination is considered an essential tool for artists, writers, and philosophers to explore the unexplored realms of the mind and reveal profound insights.
6. Passion for the Past: Romantic writers and artists were often drawn to the past and explored themes of history, mythology, folklore, and chivalry. This interest in the past often manifested itself through the use of historical settings, medieval imagery, and the revival of interest in ancient cultures.
7. Valorization of Authenticity: Romantics emphasized authenticity of expression, seeking to communicate their true feelings and experiences without the artifice of social conventions or societal expectations.
8. Idealized Love and Passion: Romantic literature often portrays idealized forms of love and intense passions. Love is seen as a transforming force that transcends mundane existence.
9. Exploration of the Sublime: Romanticism embraces the concept of the "sublime," referring to awe-inspiring natural phenomena, experiences of great beauty or terror, and the overpowering grandeur of nature that transcends human understanding.
10. Melancholy and Tragic Elements: Romantic works often depict a sense of melancholy, expressing a longing for something unobtainable or the awareness of the fleeting nature of life and beauty. Tragic elements and a contemplation of mortality add a profound emotional depth to Romantic works.
It's important to note that these characteristics are general tendencies and can manifest differently in various Romantic writers and artists. Romanticism is a diverse and complex movement with a wide range of expressions, making it challenging to provide a comprehensive definition that applies universally.