Question

What are similarities between Romanticism and Dark Romanticism? Other than they share deep fascinations with nature and are both literary movements/genres

Answer 1

Romanticism and Dark Romanticism share similarities in their focus on emotional intensity, the primacy of individual experience, and rebellion against rationalism and industrialization. Both movements venerate nature's power and utilize it as a metaphor for human emotions, with Dark Romanticism often delving into eerie and gothic elements.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks about the similarities between Romanticism and Dark Romanticism, both of which share deep fascinations with nature and are recognized as distinct literary movements or genres. Despite this commonality, the two movements have additional similarities. For instance, both Romanticism and Dark Romanticism celebrate emotional intensity and the primacy of the individual's experience. The movements often sought to explore the depths of human emotion and the complexities of the human psyche. They also share an appreciation for the awe-inspiring and sometimes overwhelming power of nature, often using it as a metaphor for human emotions.

Moreover, there is an underlying sense of rebellion in both movements against the rationalism of the Enlightenment and the mechanization associated with the Industrial Revolution. While Romanticism often focuses on the beauty and sublime qualities of nature, Dark Romanticism tends to explore the darker, more mysterious aspects of the natural and supernatural world. The idea of the sublime in nature unites the two movements, encapsulating the notion that nature is powerful, mysterious, and even terrifying in its beauty and grandeur.

In literature, both movements have produced works that depict high emotional states, the beauty and ferocity of nature, the importance of imagination, and a fascination with death and the supernatural. While Romantic writers like Goethe expressed melodic praise for nature and human sentimentality, Dark Romanticism can be seen in the eerie, often macabre works of authors like Edgar Allan Poe, where the darker sides of human nature and the supernatural are also prominant themes.

Answer 2

Romanticism encompasses more individualism and transcendentalism, while Dark Romanticism kind of rejects that and focuses more on the human psychological side and supernatural elements.

With American Romantic authors like Thoreau and Emerson, you see that they heavily emphasize individualism and reject conformity in favor of self-direction. However, with Dark Romanticists - especially Hawthorne - transcendentalism is rejected, and heavier themes like hypocrisy (mostly in religion) and human error are explored. (Edgar Allan Poe is more of the psychological/supernatural side of Dark Romanticism. He explores the darkness of the human mind.)

I hope this helps! :)