Romanticism proclaims freedom of creation and expression.
The characteristics of Romanticism are:
• Freedom of creation and expression
• Nationalism
• Historicism
• Medievalism
• Popular traditions
• Individualism, self-centeredness
• Pessimism
• Escapism
• Social criticism
These are predominant characteristics of the movement, but its tendencies were diverse.
See some trends and their main themes:
* Nationalism, Historicism and Medievalism:
Exaltation of values and national heroes, setting its historical past, especially the medieval period.
* Appreciation of popular fonts - folklore:
The authors sought inspiration in oral narratives and popular songs, a manifestation of romantic nationalism.
* Confessionalism
The author's personal feelings at a given time in his life are expressed in the works.
* Pessimism
The English poet Lord Byron's melancholy is present in all literatures, so there is the presence of individualism and egocentrism that acquire sickly adaptive traits.
The “evil of the century” or boredom of living leads to:
- exotic environment or mysterious past.
- fantastic narratives (involving the supernatural)
- death (as a last solution)
* Social Criticism
Romanticism can assume a combative character of opposition and social criticism, we observe its occurrence in its last phase.
the romantic generations
There is a clear evolution through three generations of authors, each generation is marked by certain traits and themes.
* First generation
The first authors kept classical features (adherence to the rules of literary production).
Main topics:
In Portugal
- nationalism
- historical novel
- medievalism
In Brazil
- Indianism
* Second generation
Period of Ultraromanticism: exaggeration due to subjectivism and emotionalism (boredom, daydreaming, dreaming, death wish are always present)
* Third generation
This phase anticipates characteristics of the Realist School, which will replace Romanticism. Subjectivism and emotionalism will give way to an exalted literature based on the great social and political debates of the time.
By Marina Cabral
Graduated in Letters
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/literatura/caracteristicas-romantismo.htm