PREROMANTICISM: ORIGIN, CHARACTERISTICS, AUTHORS AND WORKS - LITERATURE - 2025

The preromanticism is a literary movement developed throughout Europe, most noticeably at the end of the eighteenth century. As its name indicates, this trend was the forerunner of literary Romanticism, a trend that in turn opposed neoclassical literature as a whole.

The appearance of pre-romanticism brought with it a new form of expression, coupled with a new way of thinking. From its emergence there was an idealistic thought that generated a 180 degree turn to what already existed, thus beginning a more explicit, expressive and passionate literature.

Jean-Jacque Rousseau, precursor of Preromanticism. Source: Maurice Quentin de La Tour

Origin

Preromanticism has its origin in the 18th century, specifically in Europe. It was known and went down in history as a literary movement that occurred between Neoclassicism and Romanticism. First Germany and England saw it born, then it spread to Spain, Italy and France.

characteristics

This literary movement presented different aspects to those of Neoclassicism, among which the following can be mentioned:

Feelings as avant-garde

This move put reason aside, and made emotions relevant. The writers were carried away by what they felt no matter how strong was what they carried inside.

He put aside the impositions of Neoclassicism

By rejecting the rules of Neoclassicism, there was more freedom to express himself and, therefore, the writer exposed his lyrics with greater naturalness and spontaneity. All this, of course, following the guidelines established by this literary trend.

The spaces in the storylines were dark

For the development of his works, Pre-Romanticism chose spaces charged with mystery as settings. Quite the opposite of the use of serene nature that Neoclassicism used.

Freedom as a premise

Preromanticism defended the right to freedom as a necessary value for the development of the human being.

It gave way to the enrichment of different languages

This literary movement brought with it new expressions and words. He made constant and repeated use of certain words, that was an insistent example of the revolution that the writers generated in each of their works.

Outstanding authors and their works

Pre-Romanticism, as expressed in previous lines, had its birth in Europe. So he toured different countries on this continent, and influenced many illustrious writers of the time. Among those who stood out:

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Rousseau was the Swiss representative of this literary genre. He was born in the city of Geneva on June 28, 1712, and died in 1778. He was noted for being a philosopher, writer, musician, botanist and naturalist. He was considered the first writer of Preromanticism and the predecessor of Romanticism.

One of his most outstanding works was El Adivino del Pueblo, an opera that premiered on October 18, 1752, in the presence of King Louis XV. Another of his most relevant works was Discourse on the origin and foundations of men's inequality. In this text the author made reference to the types of inequality.

Rousseau's list is completed by the novel Julia or the New Eloise published in 1761. It tells the story of love that arises between two people from different social classes. There are also Emilio, or Education, its content is mostly philosophical and deals with man and society.

Thomas chatterton

Represented pre-romanticism from Great Britain. He was born on November 20, 1752 in Bristol and died in London on August 24, 1770. Among his most outstanding works was Memoirs of a Sad Dog, a sarcastic writing.

Louis-Sébastien Mercier

He was born in Paris in 1740, and died on April 25, 1814. He was a pupil of Rousseau; Besides being a writer, he was also a critic and playwright. Among his works are Mesa de Paris, which referred to the customs of France, the poem The Genius, and Virginia, a drama written in 1767.

Madame de Staël

Madame de Staël, precursor of Preromanticism. Source: François Gérard

She was the main female representative of pre-romanticism in France. Her real name was Anne Louise Germaine Necker. She was born in Paris on April 22, 1766; she died in the same city in 1817. Her political ideas were advanced for the time, in addition to being considered a daring within society.

Other representatives of pre-Romanticism were also: Ugo Foscolo, Edward Young, Thomas Gray, William Cowper, Horace Walpole, François-René de Chateaubriand, James Macpherson, Friedrich Schiller, Alberto Lista, José Marchena, Ippolito Pindemonte and Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint- Pierre, great representatives who left their mark.

References

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2. Froc, Pérez and Romero. (2011). Preromanticism. (N / a): Literature and its Great Movements. Recovered from: movementsliterariosaldia.blogspot.com.
3. Froldi, R. (S. f.). "Pre-Romantic" or "Illustrated" Literature? Spain: Miguel de Cervantes Virtual Library. Recovered from: cervantesvirtual.com.
4. Nance, J. (2016). Hispanic-American Preromanticism. (N / a): Preromanticismo y sus Letras. Recovered from: prerromanticismoysusletras.blogspot.com.
5. Preromanticism. (2018). (N / a): Passion for Literature. Recovered from: pasionliterariajoven.blogspot.com.