Contrasting the Romantic and Enlightenment Peroid

Imagine waking up with no coffee, no bathroom with a shower and toilet, no gas powered light to turn on in your home, and no electronics to kill some time. This is how the Romantic and Enlightenment period lived life every day. However, one will see there is a vast difference between the two periods. In the play Phaedra by Jean Racine, we see a glimpse of the Enlightenment period. The Enlightenment period is mostly known as the “Age of reason.” Inevitably Phaedra is seen as the desperate tragic hero who is the cause for everyone’s misery. Tintern Abbey is written by poet William Wordsworth. One will see a more imaginative, natural beautiful side of the Romantic period, which is filled with emotion. After reading the two periods and contrasting them, one will see the characteristics and qualities of the Enlightenment period appeals more to society and helps shape each individual. As seen in the Romantic period an individual’s escape to nature for the closer well-being of Christ.

The Enlightenment period is based on general belief’s that human reason should serve as a guide for religious, philosophical, and scientific reasoning. As seen in Phaedra, Phaedra lacks moral responsibility, truth, and reasoning. . Phaedra is seen as the tragic hero. Tragic Heroes are common for plays and stories during the Enlightenment period. During the play Phaedra does anything she can to achieve her state of happiness; until it turns everyone’s life to misery. All of humanity is guilty of the lack of reasoning and the absence of moral responsibility at any given time. In the play Phaedra moral responsibility is diminished for her actions toward Hippolytus. Phaedra knew it was wrong to lust for Hippolytus, and then she would lie about it ...

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...dsworth is describing nature. The imagination is a way to help recreate certain moments, and it is a way to reevaluate things that have passed to learn and perceive the world. Indeed the Romantic period learned about and looked at life in a beautiful and priceless way.

Therefore the Enlightenment period and the Romantic period are diverse but appealing in their own ways. The Enlightenment period is more realistic and to the point while the Romantic period is more imaginative and based off one’s own beliefs. Both of the time periods make sense but only the Enlightenment period stands firm and appears to be logical. Regardless of the Enlightenment period or Romantic period it is certain that God plays a huge role in help making who we are and the society we live in. Without the blessing of God’s glory we human beings would not be able to experience life on earth.