Romanticism
is similar to the philosophy of the Renesance in being a reaction to the
emphasis on reason inherited from the enlightenment and Kant. Art is important to
human cognition. Only art can bring us closer to the inexpressible. University
students were anti-middle class at the time. The duty of the romantic was to
dream himself away from life. Theme – unrequited love, yearning for nature and
natures mysteries. Viewing nature as a whole(Spinoza & before).
Shelling(1775-1854) – The human soul and
physical reality are expressions of one absolute world spirit, (like Spinoza).
Man bears the whole universe within himself and comes closest to the mysteries
of the universe by stepping inside of himself. Nature is an organism, like a
flower unfolding or a poet unfolding verses.
von Herder – History is characterized
by continuity, evolution and design. We have to identify with other cultures to
understand them better. (national identity)
Universal Romanticism and
National Romanticism; National – interested in history, language and culture of the people.
Considered plants and the nation to be an organism. Fairly tales &
Beethoven, the artist has free reign. (hypnotic trance.)
