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This edition published in the UK and the USA in 2010 by Icon Books Ltd, Omnibus Business Centre, 39–41 North Road, London N7 9DP email: info@iconbooks.com www.introducingbooks.com Sold in the UK, Europe and Asia by Faber & Faber Ltd, Bloomsbury House, 74–77 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DA or their agents Distributed in South Africa by Jonathan Ball, Office B4, The District, 41 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock 7925 Distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd, PO Box 8500, 83 Alexander Street, Crows Nest, NSW 2065 Distributed to the trade in the USA by Publishers Group West 1700 4th St. Berkeley, CA, 94710 Distributed in Canada by Publishers Group Canada, 76 Stafford Street, Unit 300 Toronto, Ontario M6J 2S1 Previously published in the UK and Australia in 1999 ISBN: 978-184831-178-7 Text copyright © 2012 Icon Books Ltd Illustrations copyright © 1999 Judy Boreham The author and artist have asserted their moral rights. Originating editor: Richard Appignanesi No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, or by any means, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. Printed and bound in the UK by Clays Ltd, St Ives plc
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What is "Romanticism"? The word "Romantic" derives from the Old French romanz, meaning the vernacular "romance" languages that developed from Latin - Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan and Provenc;al. The medieval romance or romaunt came to mean a tale of chivalry written in one of these romance languages, usually in verse, and often taking the form of a quest. Our co lloquial use of "romance" and "romantic" to describe intense emotional experiences can be traced back to this medieval sense of the word, and so can the 18th and 19th century concept of "Romanticism" as an intellectual experience, which is the subject of this book. 3

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What is "Romanticism"?

The word "Romantic" derives from the Old French romanz, meaning the vernacular "romance" languages that developed from Latin - Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan and Provenc;al.

The medieval romance or romaunt came to mean a tale of chivalry written in one of these romance languages, usually in verse, and often taking the form of a quest.

Our co lloquial use of "romance" and "romantic" to describe intense emotional experiences can be traced back to this medieval sense of the word, and so can the 18th and 19th century concept of "Romanticism" as an intellectual experience, which is the subject of this book.

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