To begin with, Romanticism developed as a reaction to the neoclassical or Augustan movement in literature as well as in reaction against the Enlightment.
Neoclassical considered the role of the writer or artist as one of cultural transmission and craftsmanship, working within a society and expressing its ideals.
The Enlightenment thinkers strongly believed in rationality and science. They believed that the natural world and even human behavior could be explained scientifically. They also considered that they could use the scientific method to improve human society.
On the other hand, the Romantics rejected the notion of reason and science. They viewed the scientific worldview as cold and sterile. Theybelieved that science and material progress result in a lack of humanity. Instead of reason, the Romantics exalted emotions as well as feelings. They considered intuition and emotions as important sources of knowledge.
