European Romanticism: Self-Definition

by Lilian R. Furst

European Self-definition

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Jasmine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't feel as smart as I thought I would after reading this

[Mha · Rating 3 out of 5]

الرومانسية الأوروبية التي تلت عصور الفلسفة العقلية .. بشهادة أدبائها
على الرغم من مكانة المترجم، فقد كان الكتاب صعباً
تتمة مراجعة الكتاب على مدونتي (( هما الغيث ))
https://www.hma-algaith.com/%d8%a7%d9...

[Aziz Qaissi · Rating 2 out of 5]

"European Romanticism: Self-definition" is an interesting book to envisage Romanticism of the 19th century, as a literary movement, through the "eyes" of the Romantic writers who were involved in the movement. This Anthology compiles essays, prefaces to books, and contributes to Romanticism written by Romantic writers. Geographically speaking, the book covers the Romantic era and its extension not only in England, but also in France and German, including writers like Wordsworth, Lamartine, Victor Hugo, Novalis...etc.

Romanticism, as provided, perceived and defined by the Romantics themselves, is an ideal form of thought. It represents itself, especially via poetry, as being the "greatest" and "highest" form of art—transcendental art.
Romanticism, according to Romantics, was meant to express "the divine matters", and to speak up the spirit. For this reason, Romanticism tended to elevate "humankind over itself". This is, for instance, Victor Hugo speaking about art and its aim in one of his prefaces: "Thus the aim of art is almost divine: to bring back to life, if it is making history; to create, if it is making poetry."

Besides, I liked the idea that the book offers, in addition to the definitions being translated from German and French, the original texts in their source language.