Sentimentality

Definition

Sentimentality refers to an excessive or superficial expression of feelings, often idealizing emotional experiences and promoting a sense of nostalgia. In the context of early Romantic poetry, it emphasizes emotional resonance and individual experience, allowing poets to connect deeply with readers through shared feelings and intimate experiences.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sentimentality played a crucial role in the shift towards Romanticism, allowing poets to focus on personal emotions and experiences rather than solely on reason and logic.
2. William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge's 'Lyrical Ballads' showcased sentimentality by emphasizing the beauty of nature and the depth of human emotion.
3. In Romantic poetry, sentimentality is often linked to themes of innocence and childhood, where poets express a longing for simpler, more emotionally fulfilling times.
4. Critics sometimes view sentimentality as overly melodramatic or lacking depth; however, it was an important tool for connecting with readers on an emotional level.
5. The use of sentimentality in poetry helped establish a new literary style that prioritized emotional expression, which has influenced many subsequent literary movements.

Review Questions

• How did sentimentality influence the themes presented in 'Lyrical Ballads'?
  • Sentimentality significantly influenced the themes in 'Lyrical Ballads' by encouraging a focus on deep emotional experiences and personal connections with nature. Wordsworth and Coleridge's poems highlight moments of introspection and strong feelings, inviting readers to reflect on their own emotions. This emotional engagement was essential for Romantic poetry, as it shifted away from rationality and embraced the power of feeling.
• In what ways does sentimentality differentiate Romantic poetry from earlier literary movements?
  • Sentimentality differentiates Romantic poetry from earlier literary movements like Neoclassicism by prioritizing personal emotion over reason and formality. While Neoclassicists focused on structure and decorum, Romantics sought to express genuine feelings and explore the individual experience. This shift allowed for a richer exploration of human emotions, making poetry more relatable and engaging for readers who were drawn to its authenticity.
• Evaluate the impact of sentimentality on contemporary literature and how it relates back to Romantic poetry.
  • Sentimentality has had a lasting impact on contemporary literature by shaping how authors approach emotional expression and character development. Many modern writers continue to draw on the emotional authenticity established during the Romantic period, often blending sentimentality with realism to create nuanced portrayals of human experience. This connection reveals how deeply rooted emotional engagement remains a key element in literature, echoing the foundational principles set forth by poets in the 'Lyrical Ballads' era.

Related terms

Romanticism:

An artistic and intellectual movement that emerged in the late 18th century, emphasizing emotion, nature, and individualism as a reaction against the rationalism of the Enlightenment.

Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of others, which sentimentality often seeks to evoke in its audience by presenting relatable emotional experiences.

Nostalgia: A sentimental longing for the past, often idealized and romanticized, which is frequently explored in Romantic poetry as a way to connect with deeper emotional truths.