What is Proto-Romanticism?

Proto-Romanticism is a term used to describe the cultural and literary movements that preceded the Romantic period in the late 18th century. It refers to early forms of Romantic expression that laid the groundwork for the themes and ideas that would later characterize the Romantic movement, such as an emphasis on emotions, nature, and individualism. Key figures associated with Proto-Romanticism include Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.