The emergence of romanticism

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Romanticism is recognized as a significant movement in world literature, and its origins have been extensively analyzed by critics. Nicholas Riasanovsky, a noted historian of Russia, presents a fresh interpretation of Romanticism's beginnings, objectives, and impact. The initial wave of Romantic thought emerged in England and Germany during the late 1790s but dissipated within a decade. Riasanovsky examines the Romantic impulse's explosion and seeks to understand the revolutionary vision that led early poets in these countries to adopt a new worldview. He pairs two British authors, Wordsworth and Coleridge, with three German figures—Novalis, Friedrich Schlegel, and Wackenroder—showing that despite cultural differences, they represent variations of the same emergence. All five were preoccupied with their relentless striving and the failure to achieve their aspirations. After initially supporting the French Revolution, they shifted towards political conservatism or religious orthodoxy within ten years. Riasanovsky posits that Romanticism is rooted in a pantheistic religious culture, arising solely from Western Christian civilization and its unique perspective on humanity's relationship with God. The Romantics' intense pursuit of unattainable goals reflects Christian beliefs about human limitations in engaging with the divine. Additionally, Riasanovsky highlights the political ramifications of Romantic thought, emphasizing its ro