The concepts I have learn throught the semester - Essay Example

Analysis of the Enlightenment, Romanticism and Realism The history of human culture with its science and art is unthinkable without the influence of the three periods: the Enlightenment, Romanticism and Realism. Each of these periods has played an extremely important role in the selection of ideas, principles and values ​​that formed the basis of the scientific comprehension of the world as well as art in the form of literature, music, theater, painting, etc. By and large, they reflected the beliefs that were extremely important for an individual period in the history of mankind.

For this reason, each of the three periods had its own distinctive features that defined its unique character in the history of mankind.The Enlightenment period pursued the goal of liberating the human mind from the shackles of various prejudices and speculation. The philosophers who worked in this period saw their task to explain to other people that the human mind is a unique phenomenon that can make their life comfortable and exciting. The desire to free the mind from the shackles of outdated dogmas and prejudices caused criticism of religion.

Religious figures including priests were often seen as liars and hypocrites who used the word of God in order to achieve their own selfish goals. The play Tartuffe by Moliere can be considered as an example of this. The protagonist of the play is constantly committing evil acts in the name of God. He embodies those human vices against which the Enlightenment acted: hypocrisy, greed, meanness, stupidity, lust, selfishness, and timidity. Following the logic of the Enlightenment, the play emphasizes above all the social significance of human behavior.

For this reason, the author protests against the social evil embodied in the hero’s image.In turn, the Romantic period was a reaction to the Enlightenment. In contrast to the Enlightenment, Romanticism emphasized the peoples feelings and their inner experience. If the Enlightenment considered the mind as the only way for the realization of human nature, Romanticism drew attention to the internal psychological experience of a person. Feelings have acquired particular importance as a form of human nature.

The Confessions by Jean-Jacques Rousseau is devoted to the description of experiences and feelings of the author. Rousseau describes the events that were extremely important to him. In addition, he shares his thoughts and experiences allowing the reader to plunge into his inner world.Finally, the Realism period replaced the romantic view of the world. Unlike the Enlightenment with its hopes on the human mind and Romanticism with its emphasis on inner experience of man and his harmony with nature, Realism sought to portray reality as it is.

In art, realism manifested itself as a desire to portray reality as accurately as possible. In this respect, the artists imagination lost its former significance. The Death of Ivan llyich by Leo Tolstoy is a striking example of implementation of the ideas of Realism. Following the canons of Realism, the author describes the life of a person who belongs to the middle class. Tolstoy tell about the everyday life of Ivan llyich. The reader has the opportunity to realize that the value of human life consists not in the pursuit of wealth and fame but in being surrounded by loved ones.

Works CitedMolière, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin. “Tartuffe; Or, The Hypocrite.” Trans. Curtis Hidden Page. The Project Gutenberg. n.d. Web. 11 May 2015.Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. “The Confessions.”  Oregon State University. n.d. Web. 11 May 2015.Tolstoy, Leo. “The Death of Ivan llyich.” Trans. Louise and Aylmer Maude.  University of Minnesota. n.d. Web. 11 May 2015.