Brief Summary on Literary Romanticism
Romanticism is a cultural, artistic, and literary movement that developed in Europe between the
late 18th century and the first half of the 19th century. Originating as a reaction to the
Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution, Romanticism centered on the individual, emotions,
nature, and freedom of expression.
Among the main themes of Romanticism are:
Subjectivity: interest in the interiority of the individual, his feelings and imagination.
Nature: seen not only as a background, but as a living, spiritual, sometimes sublime and
terrifying entity.
The genius and the artist: exaltation of the figure of the poet as an inspired, often
misunderstood and rebellious being.
History and the past: appreciation of national traditions, the Middle Ages and folklore.
In Italy, Romanticism developed especially in the early 19th century with figures such as
Alessandro Manzoni and Ugo Foscolo. Manzoni, in particular, was the author of I Promessi Sposi,
one of the cornerstones of the Italian historical and linguistic novel.
Romanticism was a period of great intellectual ferment and left a deep imprint on all European
culture, also influencing music, painting and philosophy.
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