An Analysis of the Element of Nature in Romantic Literature

Analysis, Pages 4 (808 words)

Views

Romanticism is the term applied to the literary and artistic movements of the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The movement came as a result of the gradual rebellion against the prescribed rules of the Enlightenment era that emphasized the use of reason and intellect.

Don't use plagiarized sources. Get your custom essay on

“ An Analysis of the Element of Nature in Romantic Literature ”

Get custom paper

NEW! smart matching with writer

The basic aim of romanticism are various, it emphasizes a return to nature, to believe in the goodness of humanity, the rediscovery of the artist as a supreme individual creator, the development of nationalistic pride, and the exaltation of the senses and emotions over reason and intellect.

Nature is a place that romantics seem to find inspiration. Many romantics believe that one can encounter the infinite, or a sort of world soul in the experience of nature. From such an encounter, one may derive an intimation of the sublime mystery at the heart of all existence. The deeper the relationship with nature, the deeper the understanding of the underlying mysteries of life.

Romantic authors have a tendency to emphasize the uniqueness of the individual as a great source of literary inspiration, because like everything else occurring naturally the individual is part of nature.

The romantics stand as ambassadors of intuition and defenders of the heart, challenging the supremacy of the reign of reason; willing to resign themselves to nature, solitude, and perhaps even to the melancholia of alienation. They also take a stand to never relinquish the sovereignty of their own souls and passions to the rules of reason emphasized in the enlightenment age. A literary writer like Jean Rousseau defends the uniqueness of the individual when he emphasizes self-absorption and opposes self-judgement: I am not made like any of those I have ever seen; I venture to believe that I am not made like any of those who are in existence.

Jean Rousseau also shows his uniqueness in his book From Confessions.

Johann Goethe uses emotion and cosmic objects, which are a part of nature as sources of his inspiration when he wrote Faust. An example of this is when Faust responds to Margarets question, Do you believe in God?(Faust, 29-43)

Does not the heaven vault above?

Is the earth not firmly based down here?

And do not, friendly,

Eternal stars arise?

Do we not look into each others eyes,

And all in you is surging

To your head and heart,

And weaves in timeless mystery?

Unseeable, yet seen, around you?..

For this. Feeling is all.

Preoccupation with feeling characterizes the tendency of romantics to elevate passions and spontaneity over the strict forms and conventions of the classical tradition, and to express states of feelings too intense, mystical or elusive to clearly define. Romantics search for truth and beauty not through objective analysis, but through passionate involvement in all aspects of human experience.

Romantics seem to be searching for a world that is not, as they turn to the long ago and far away, not to imitate past ages, but to find inspiration and affirmation of their own ideals.

William Wordsworth believes man should seek inspiration from nature because nature is in man. In Tintern Abbey, Wordsworth suggests that nature has gratified his physical being, excited his emotions, and ultimately allowed him a sense of sublime/Of something far more deeply interfused, of a spiritual force immanent not only in the forms of nature but in the mind of man.(Tintern Abbey, 95

99).

The implications of life lived in accordance with nature is that it is subjective or individual, unrealistic and in some cases becomes a fantasy. If everyone lived life like this there would be conflicts with one another because everyone would have their own view as to what is ideal. Romantics will preferably live in a world without rules, but a world without rules would produce chaos.

One of the fundamentals of Romanticism is the belief in the natural goodness of man, the idea that man in a state of nature would behave well but is hindered by civilization. The savage is noble, childhood is good and the emotions inspired by both beliefs causes the heart to soar. On the contrary, urban life and the commitment to getting and spending, generates a fear and distrust of the world. If man is inherently sinful, reason must restrain his passions, but if he is naturally good, then in an appropriate environment, his emotions can be trusted. Since people can be inherently selfish there needs to be rules to protect others in case conflicting interests. This view of things goes against religious ideals, which does not emphasize self but emphasizes fellowship with God by following Gods rules and conventions.

Interactions with nature have for many Romantic poets mystical overtones. Nature is apprehended by them not only as an exemplar and a source of vivid physical beauty but as a manifestation of spirit in the universe. It is also a source of inspiration and self-expression.