Western Governors University (WGU) HUMN1010 C100 Introduction to Humanities Practice Exam

The treatment of nature in the Realist and Romantic periods is fundamentally distinct, particularly in the contrast between scientific and material interest versus aesthetic value. During the Romantic period, nature was often idealized and viewed as a source of inspiration, beauty, and deep emotional experience. Romantics saw nature as imbued with aesthetic and spiritual significance, representing a connection to the sublime and a reflection of human emotion.

In contrast, the Realist period arose as a response to Romanticism and emphasized a more pragmatic and factual portrayal of life and nature. Realists focused on the everyday experience, often reflecting scientific observations and material conditions. They sought to depict nature as it truly was, stripped of idealization, highlighting the environmental and social contexts that influenced human life. This approach differed sharply from the Romantics' more emotional and idealized perspectives, favoring observation and realism over the romanticized ideals.

This fundamental difference illustrates not just artistic preferences but broader philosophical approaches towards nature and humanity’s relationship with it during these distinct periods in history.

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