Response to "Response to 'Token Self-Indulgent Post'"

In response to Grace’s post, I am not sure “simplistic” is the best way to describe the Romantic period. Following the reason and harmony-driven Enlightenment and Classicism periods, Romanticism stressed emotional and imaginative artistic interpretations. Artistic conventions upheld during Classicism were challenged and reinvented. I do not think the Romantic period can be considered “simple” because of this transformation of ideals. Rather, what I believe distinguishes Romanticism from preceding periods is Romanticism’s focus on the individual. Romantic artists explored their own interpretations of nature and culture. Artists developed their own distinguished styles, based on their emotional responses to nature. Meanwhile, the Enlightenment explored universal characteristics of humanity and society. I differ with Grace in the Enlightenment’s inaccessibility. Europe witnessed increased literacy and heightened interest in political and societal dealings during the Enlightenment as middle-class people worked to both understand and debate about the philosophical conjectures of the time. But I do see Grace’s point in Romanticism’ accessibility. While Enlightenment philosophy could be pretty abstract, Romanticism’s encouragement of individuality and emotional expression allowed people to relate to the emotions articulated by Romantic artists.