Differences between Romanticism and Realism
Romanticism and realism are two cultural movements that were fundamentally characterized by breaking with the classicist tradition based on a set of stereotyped rules. Thus, both currents exalt the capacity of the human being as an entity to follow, defending radical anticlericalism. In addition, his works are aimed at attacking all social, religious and governmental structures, promoting through them the denunciation of the people and the individual human.
Despite the above, just as there are some coincident points, there are numerous differences between these currents, which will be described in this article based on their definitions.
Romanticism
To begin with, Romanticism was a cultural and artistic movement that developed in Europe and America during the 19th century. Among its characteristics we have that, romanticism rejects bourgeois society and flees to past times and exotic cultures through his works. The romantic themes arise from the delusions of fantasy and feelings and are inspired by legends.
Likewise, the characters represented in his works were heroic, idealized and rebellious characters who confront society and the forces of destiny. The literary genre that predominated in this movement was poetry and theater, in which he used a tremendous, exalted and hyperbolic language.
Finally, in romanticism subjectivism prevails, in which the author modifies reality. It attaches great importance to the natural landscape and a taste for the supernatural is evident and in addition, romanticism is flatly opposed to the rules, considering as a hero whoever opposes them.
Realism
We can say that realism was a current of thought that posits that reality has an absolute existence independent of our thoughts, ideas and even consciousness. It holds that the only reality is the material world and that the study of the external world is the only reliable way to find the truth.
Realism is identified with the values of bourgeois society, although it often criticizes it with the intention of reforming it. For realism, art is the product of the direct and detailed reality of reality. The issues that stand out in this movement are those inherent to contemporary social reality, that is, the world in which we live.
The characters represented in his works were anonymous characters, influenced by society and who take on a tragic dimension. The literary genre that predominated in this movement was the novel, in which a colloquial language based on dialogues was used, combined with the scientific lexicon of the narrator.
To conclude, objectivism prevails in realism, in which the author observes reality, giving great importance to the urban landscape, where a taste for the everyday is evident. In addition, realism defends the norms, considering a social misfit whoever opposes them.
That said, we can mention that the main differences between romanticism and realism are:
| Romanticism | Realism |
| It was a cultural movement where literature predominated as an artistic expression. | It was a school of thought that included a literary movement. |
| He rejects bourgeois society and flees to past times and exotic cultures through his works. | He identifies with the values of bourgeois society but criticizes it with the intention of reforming it. |
| He considers that art is the product of inspiration and subjectivity. | He considers that art is the product of the direct and detailed reality of reality. |
| The romantic themes arise from the delusions of fantasy and feelings, inspired by legends. | The issues that stand out in this movement are those inherent to contemporary social reality, that is, the world in which we live. |
| The characters represented in his works were heroic, idealized and rebellious characters who confront society and the forces of destiny. | The characters represented in his works were anonymous characters, influenced by society and who take on a tragic dimension. |
| The literary genre that predominated in this movement was poetry and theater. | The literary genre that predominated in this movement was the novel. |
| Subjectivism prevails, in which the author modifies reality. | Objectivism prevails, in which the author observes reality. |
| It gives great importance to the natural landscape and a taste for the supernatural is evident. | It gives great importance to the urban landscape and a taste for the everyday is evident. |