Romanticism Case

Romanticism

Perry

HUM/266

6 Nov. 2012

During the nineteenth-century Romanticism permeated after the proposed philosophy in the late eighteenth century by Immanuel Kant, which acknowledged the difference between the knowable and unknowable in respect to the world's sense of perception and sense of essences. With this freedom to express feelings, art was foreseen as one of the highest forms of expression. Artists abroad were able to wonderfully master the art of self-expression with the use of several characteristics that have been used to define Romanticism. A communion with nature, imagination, individualism and feelings are some characteristics that can be used to better understand art as it applies to Romanticism.

Romantic literature has been a perfect display of imagination, feeling as well as a communion with nature. The poem "Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey" also known as "Tintern Abbey" was written by William Wordsworth in 1798. This poem displays a perfect example of the communion with nature, as Wordsworth describes the sound of the water rolling from their mountain springs as he rest under a sycamore tree which is described as being dark. Within this poem a relationship is shown by the poet as he is using nature as a form of refuge to rest. While doing this he also shows his imagination of the possibility of a Hermit sitting in a cave by a fire alone due to the smoke wreaths seen among the trees. One can also come to the conclusion of the feelings that may be express as he states that five years has past leading one to think that after all this time nothing has changed.

An example of imagination, feeling and an overall idea of creativity is "The Nutcracker Ballet of 1892". This ballet is a perfect demonstration of romantic dance as it uses imagination to escape reality also known as escapist fantasy. In this ballet a girl by the name of Clara falls in love with a wooden nutcracker doll, which is broken by a fellow child during a family gathering and leaves her heartbroken. Later that night Clara returns to check on her beloved doll. As a clock strikes midnight her journey into a world of fantasy and adventure begins, from dancing mice to gingerbread men soldiers and even the beloved wooden doll comes to life. There is a distinctive display of creativity as a crowned Clara and the Nutcracker prince travel in a boat made from a nutshell and pulled by dolphins to a land of sweets. Throughout this ballet without the use of any words the feeling of Clara are displayed showing the emotion of love. As the ballet ends Clara awakens in the parlor as the Nutcracker is found under the Christmas tree but her crown is lying beside her. Which raises the question, "was it all a dream" Clara gives the implication that she wants