Sentimentality refers to an excessive emotional appeal or a display of strong feelings, often to the point of being melodramatic or insincere. In the context of Romanticism and Melodrama, sentimentality serves as a tool to evoke deep emotional responses from the audience, often prioritizing emotional impact over realism or subtlety. This concept is crucial as it highlights the intense focus on personal emotions, moral lessons, and the portrayal of virtuous characters facing extreme situations, which are hallmarks of both Romantic and Melodramatic narratives.
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