“Nature and the Physical World”

Most common attitudes and behaviors today on nature greatly evolved during the Romantic Era. Before, in some European countries, people don’t usually celebrate any occasion related to nature. But today’s society, because Romanticism evolved, it greatly affects our perspective and approach towards nature. When talking about nature in the Romantic Era, Rousseau is an important figure. He is the man who loves to be associated with nature. He would usually walk and explore nature related sites, climb mountains, and just simply communicate with nature. Rousseau is man of sensitivity, mood and even paranoia. In his time, he explored the agonies of love and the sentimental aspect of it. Love is the most popular feeling celebrated in the Romantic Era. This is known before as a relationship between two individuals and up to now; we use this as a common definition of Love. As we all know, when we encounter Romanticism, it reflects European society. Before, Europe is surrounded by tragic happenings, emotions not being expressed freely, and places where usually killings would take place. But now, it is safer, less hazardous, and even very much beautiful to explore. Mountains and forest or deep woods are no longer places to be afraid of. Instead these are places that are awesome to commune with nature and to be enjoyed and pondered on. Storms on the ocean are now being used as one of the most interesting subject on paintings, musical tones, poems, and writings. Before, things such as ocean storms, lightning, deep woods or mountain views are often being feared. No one would dare to draw closer to these things in fear of losing their lives. Another reason is the supernatural beliefs of people that these things were left unexplored. In the Romantic Era, romantics did not just arouse the sensitivity of emotions, but also it aroused the sensitivity to nature. People have come to realize that communicating with nature could improve one’s lifestyle and belief. Nowadays, people would explore nature and its wilderness, and they usually feel the overwhelming calmness and relaxation that it provides. It has proven that the shift in attitude towards nature is powerful and really can offer long-lasting serenity and positive perception within self. Another important figure during the romantic era is William Wordsworth. Romantic Era in poetry is centered with man’s relationship with nature and the fascination of man with Mother Earth. For Wordsworth, the definition of Romanticism is the passionate relationship towards nature and its wonder and wilderness. In his time, the word â€Å"pantheism† was stated. Because Wordsworth made to reflect his naturalistic attitude in his works, modern Pantheists described it now that God is called life of all, nature, earth and the universe. Pantheists have deep admiration and respect of all living things around us, even the forces outside the earth or in the universe. But Wordsworth did not focus mainly on these things. What he focused on is the appreciation and love for beauty and exquisiteness of Mother Earth and nature. Wordsworth, just like Rousseau, would often go for walks, exploring the beauty of life around us. He would also climb mountains and the most common is his paying attention to the things related to nature that an ordinary individual would often miss in his everyday life. What he often witnessed when he is outdoors, was the overall feeling of calmness and serenity in times of agony and loneliness. We could tell that the love, peace and comfort that Wordsworth is getting from nature is actually the feeling we get every time we call for God. In the Romantic Era, we could probably come across an identical observation, because during this time Industrialization is also emerging and became one of the most attended things by people. Probably, just like Wordsworth, people would also love to go out of the city and search for peace and quietness in one place; just like what Mother Nature provides. These things were what poetry is during these times and even up to now. People tend to find a place where they can relax and be away from all the hard works, materialism, and aristocracies. A place where they can celebrate life and enjoy living as a free individual. In Wordsworth time, nature as described to provide these things would not probably be accepted; for a reason that during these times Church controls almost everyone and everything. Maybe people have tried but it was not socially accepted and anyone who must have caught doing this was branded as deviating from what society’s norm is dictating. Rousseau and Wordsworth, as well as some other Romantic poets and figures, have only one inspiration; Mother Nature and all the living things surrounding us. The paintings, poems, pictures and writings done during these times will probably make us realize how important it is to be away, even for sometime in the materialistic world. These things will also be our heaven in seeking comfort, peace and calmness within ourselves. Jut like poets and figures in the Romantic Era, we will perceive nature as the only thing that will give us no worries no matter what we lose, no matter what the circumstance is. It is the only thing that others cannot get from us, because it will just stay within us; in our hearts and in our minds. References: http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/hum_303/romanticism.html http://www.customessaymeister.com/customessays/Poetry/3389.htm