Ash.P1.T3.Romantic

During the Romantic period (1750-1837) there were many influential writers that demonstrated a secular representation of man. One of these intellectual fathers, Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) wanted to reclaim human freedom. Rousseau saw people as unique and he saw the diversity in society that was not recognized during the Enlightenment Era. Romantics were enthusiastic about their tendency toward look within themselves. In Rousseau’s autobiography he said, “I venture to believe that I am not made like any of those who are in existence. If I am not better, at least I am different.” Rousseau’s writing demonstrates the Romantic idea of individuality and refutes the Enlightenment idea that everyone is the same. These ideas are examples of the worldly interests the Romantic period focuses on. Another writer that establish the well-known ideas of the Romantic Era is Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822). The writings of Shelley made evident that the Romantics found their souls in the science of life, not the science of celestial beings. He also determines that the Romantics returned God to Nature. During the Enlightenment people were mechanical and unfeeling. The warmth of humanity was found during the Romantic Era and enhanced by a communion with Nature. Jean Jacques Rousseau and Percy Bysshe Shelley were just a couple of the many influential philosophers and writers of the Romantic Era. Their works demonstrate the Romantics’ rebellion against the structure of the Enlightenment era as well as the secular views of the Romantic period.