Which principle of Rousseau do you observe in Warton? ( MEG 102 ) ( EARLY ROMANTIC POETS )

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, an 18th-century philosopher, is known for his belief in the importance of individual freedom and the rejection of societal constraints. One of his key principles was the idea that nature and natural instincts were superior to artificial conventions and societal norms.


Thomas Warton, an 18th-century poet and critic, was a scholar of medieval literature who is often associated with the Romantic movement. While Warton does not share all of Rousseau's beliefs, there is one principle of Rousseau's that can be observed in Warton's work: the celebration of nature and the rejection of artificiality.


Like Rousseau, Warton believed that the natural world was a source of inspiration and that it was essential to human happiness and well-being. He was particularly interested in medieval literature and folklore, which he saw as embodying a more authentic and natural way of life than the artificial conventions of his own time.


Overall, while Warton's beliefs do not align perfectly with Rousseau's, his celebration of nature and rejection of artificiality reflect some of Rousseau's key principles and demonstrate a kinship with the Romantic movement.