That overwhelming feeling of nostalgia coming out of nowhere. That godlike inspiration that comes with an unbearable pain after your 3am thoughts. We live and die for these little moments, just like Romanticists did in the 17th century around the whole of Europe! This modern movement is so beloved right now that it's like we're back to the sensitivity and showing your feelings and loneliness. The melancholy can feel good, too, so we're about to awaken that good old nostalgia and emotions with this top ten list of notable Romanticism authors!
10. Novalis
Anyone interested in philosophy would enjoy this lecture that combines Novalis and Nietzsche!
The Romantic movement in Germany is separated into a few phases, with Early Romanticism as Novalis' chapter. This poet with a unique pen name lived only 28 years, so he left us thinking about what would come next… However, he already did a lot at such a young age!
Novalis is beloved for his idea of magical idealism, uniting poetry and philosophy, with magic being the basis of love. Actually, it's not only about romantic love, but also any sympathy between living creatures. "Pollen," "Faith and Love," "Blumen," and "Hymns to the Night" are the only works he published himself, but they're worth reading!
9. Robert Burns
We've mentioned Burns' legacy, but you can find out more about his personal life as well
Famously named the "bard" (a poet/writer in Celtic culture), Robert Burns is the most prominent name from Scotland. Moreover, he is considered "the national poet" that was highly influenced by William Shakespeare. That shouldn't surprise you, though, since he's written many folk songs as well. The Romantic movement, actually, focused a lot on the folk, so his sensitivity showcases that side of the poetic group!
On Robert Burns' official website, you can check out all of its poetry and find the full texts in alphabetical order – everything is well organized. You can unearth them quickly at "Complete Works!" or buy the "Burns encyclopedia," one of the favorites when it comes to Burns' fans.
8. Samuel Taylor Coleridge
There's no calmer way to hear "Kubla Khan" than watching this video with precious nature
Coleridge is that name you come across when studying literary theory. Then you get so captivated you have to check his work afterward! Luckily, you won't be disappointed – it's enough to tell you Coleridge worked with William Wordsworth on the most outstanding poetry collection of the Romantic movement!
Like every author on this list kind of represents a different type of Romanticism's recurring themes, Coleridge is unique for his infinite connection with God and the created world. "Kubla Khan" takes on the journey to the Orient, which influenced the Romantic poets a lot!
7. Friedrich Schiller
Do you want to know Schiller's quotes and personality traits better? Here you can find everything!
Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller, simply known as Schiller, is the name that will stay on your mind long after reading his work. There aren't many German authors being loved like him. Still, Germany obviously nailed it when it comes to the Romantic movement in general. Furthermore, Shiller was even more than that movement, just like Goethe!
Schiller made a massive impact on today's view on classical drama, as he's written 10 significant plays. The themes regarding history, love, and intrigue, as his most beloved play "Intrigue and Love," says by its name, were in focus. If you want to read an authentic Romanticism play, we definitely recommend "The Robbers," the first European melodrama!
6. William Blake
"The Tyger" is the best poem of "experience"
It's funny how William Blake, almost the biggest name of the British culture ever, didn't gain any fame during his life. We hope he's smiling from above because now it's inevitable to read him if you're looking for some good Romantic poems!
He was relatively modern for his time, writing poems in couples, and even supporting the infamous "free love" movement. "Songs of Innocence and Experience" is undoubtedly his best collection, with motifs of "innocence" ("The Lamb") and "experience" ("The Tyger") symbolizing "paradise" and "fall." You'll love his poem "The Sick Rose" as well!
5. Victor Hugo
Hugo's quotes are very inspiring – check some of his best in the video
French is the language of emotions, as many people say. When speaking about the Romantic movement, it would be crazy to not mention any poet or dramatist from France! Victor Hugo has to be one of the most prominent names of all time, with his sentimental, historical novel "Les Misérables."
Fun fact: Despite Romanticism being the age of lyric poetry, "Les Misérables" is actually one of the longest novels ever! Hugo hoped for this book to be read by everyone and that people will seek comfort in its opulent themes. He named it "a progress from evil to good, from injustice to justice, from night to day, from appetite to conscience…," so it's pretty much about everything.
4. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
This animation draws the most admirable Goethe's Romantic work
We've come to one of the most significant names of all time, not only for Romanticism. Goethe's "Faust" and the motif of playing with the devil is one of the most appreciated literary works ever. You know that the greatest names in literature couldn't be put in one movement only, so Goethe influenced many genres of his time. However, his Sturm und Drang and Romantic-era work like "The Sorrows of Young Werther" is something that left the most giant trace besides "Faust!"
Today, the most prominent German cultural association is named after Goethe as it spreads this culture and language in more than 150 institutes worldwide. Moreover, they also provide libraries with German literature, which includes much of Goethe's work!
3. Alexander Pushkin
Find out what makes Pushkin different from his Russian literature "colleagues"
Russian literature used to be extremely influential for ages. If you've read anything from their masterpieces, you probably stumbled upon Alexander Pushkin. Even though he belongs to Romanticism, Russia didn't take the lead initially and bloomed later when Realism became a trend.
Pushkin's works include "The Captain's Daughter," "Boris Godunov," and the highly-acclaimed "Eugene Onegin," which is now one of the trademarks of Russian literature. Moreover, "Onegin" showcases Pushkin as a mastermind for poetry and romance. It's a school example for turbulent feelings and the deadly duel, along with a perfect structure called "Pushkin's sonnet" today.
2. William Wordsworth
"Daffodils" is one of the most beautiful poems ever, with the word "beauty" emphasized!
Joining forces with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, he published "Lyrical Ballads," a poetry collection that made the Romantic movement reach its full bloom. The collection's preface written by Wordsworth is now considered one of the movement's manifestos.
His escapism is praised by the internet aesthetic subcultures that developed throughout the recent years, especially the cottagecore aesthetic, that resembles his "Lyrical Ballads" a lot! Furthermore, he absolutely inspired Taylor Swift, especially her "folklore" bonus track, "the lakes" (well, "folklore" is easily the best album of 2020).
1. Lord Byron
Byron had so intriguing kind of life and personality – reading about it is never enough
"Byronic" is the most famous adjective that stems from the Romantic movement. The Byronic hero is named after George Gordon Byron's writing style – the "Lord" made the most memorable, unforgettable kind of a romantic rebel! This man is dreamy looking at the shore, desperate to give himself away to the sea, and he's nostalgic, traveling to find the purpose of life.
Since Lord Byron was breathtakingly beautiful, effortlessly indomitable, and a wild dreamer with a dark past, his type of hero resembles him a lot. His poems get romantic, like "When We Two Parted," but not many people know he also wrote "Don Juan," which is named "the epic of its time." Don Juan is now the synonym for men who live exactly the way he did – his contribution to the world is eternal!
So, all the tragedy and emotional mess on our top ten ends here! We hope your inspiration found the way to your mind as you were time-traveling through the periods of romance and pain. The most substantial feelings in the world might be the darkest ones, aren't they?
Do you believe that our society is back to these melancholic feels and is eager to wear its heart on its sleeve? Who's your favorite romanticist?
Cover photo: TopTens.fun/Midjourney