Emotion

Definition

Emotion refers to complex psychological states that involve a subjective experience, a physiological response, and an expressive or behavioral response. In the context of Romanticism, emotion is a driving force that emphasizes individual feelings, imagination, and the beauty of nature as a counter to the rationalism of the Enlightenment. This focus on emotion also plays a pivotal role in German Romanticism, where artists and writers sought to express deep feelings and explore the human experience through their works.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Romanticism arose as a reaction against the Enlightenment's focus on reason, placing a higher value on emotion and individual experience.
2. German Romanticism particularly emphasized personal emotion, using it to connect deeply with nature and the self.
3. The portrayal of strong emotions in literature and art was aimed at creating an authentic connection between the audience and the work.
4. Artists and writers often depicted nature as a source of profound emotion, reflecting human feelings through landscapes and natural phenomena.
5. The emphasis on emotion in Romanticism led to the exploration of themes such as love, loss, and the struggle for identity, influencing many literary forms.

Review Questions

• How did emotion serve as a counterpoint to reason during the rise of Romanticism?
  • Emotion emerged as a key element of Romanticism as artists and writers sought to oppose the rationalism of the Enlightenment. While Enlightenment thinkers prioritized logic and scientific reasoning, Romantics believed that true understanding could only be achieved through personal feelings and subjective experiences. This shift allowed for a deeper exploration of human nature, highlighting how emotions shape our perceptions of life and art.
• In what ways did German Romanticism specifically enhance the expression of emotion in literature and art?
  • German Romanticism placed a strong emphasis on expressing deep emotional experiences through literature and art. This movement encouraged artists to tap into their inner feelings and depict nature as a reflection of those emotions. By focusing on themes such as melancholy, longing, and the sublime, German Romantics created works that resonated with audiences on an emotional level, fostering a sense of connection between the viewer and the artwork.
• Evaluate how the focus on emotion in Romanticism influenced subsequent literary movements or styles.
  • The focus on emotion during the Romantic period had lasting impacts on later literary movements such as Realism, Symbolism, and even Modernism. By prioritizing personal feeling over rationality, Romanticism paved the way for authors to explore complex emotional landscapes in their works. This influence can be seen in how subsequent writers continued to examine individual psyche and societal issues through emotional lenses, ultimately shaping modern literature's approach to character development and narrative structure.

Related terms

Sentimentality:

An excessive emotional response to experiences or situations, often seen in Romantic literature as a way to evoke strong feelings in readers.

Sublime: A concept in art and literature that describes an overwhelming experience of beauty or terror that inspires awe and deep emotional responses.

Imagination: The faculty of forming new ideas, images, or concepts that goes beyond immediate reality, often highlighted in Romanticism as essential for creative expression.