What’s your definition of romantic?

First, I want to look at the epoch of Romanticism in literature, an artistic and intellectual movement at the end of the 18^th century. Its main emphasis was on subjectivity, imagination, and the value of nature in all forms of society and culture. Romanticists believed understanding the world was only possible through passion and intuition. They further regarded artistic beauty not as something confined by rules but by evoking strong emotions. Due to this philosophical approach, they promoted different themes like the exaltation of nature and the supernatural, idealizing the past as a virtuous era, high attraction to everything exotic and mysterious, and honoring the hero and sublime.

It’s crucial to remember that the coin of Romanticism also had a dark side, as expressed by influential writers such as Edgar Allan Poe, E.T.A. Hoffmann, and Mary Shelley. Their works added depth and complexity to the movement.

Looking at how romantic or romance is mostly conveyed today, we realize that it tends to be corny, with super-arranged marriage proposals, candlelight, rose petals, going out to eat in expensive restaurants, making costly gifts, etc.

I personally define romantic or romance as a feeling that comes from deep inside—not from the heart but from the soul. It’s a feeling you have for someone, a beloved one, that you want his happiness, and you care for his well-being, physically and spiritually. Furthermore, you want to merge and grow with him on an emotional level.

Now, how do you convert this feeling into deeds? Imagine waking up in the middle of the night and having a deep conversation about God and the world together, or your beloved one is on a working trip. He has a terrible day, and you, no matter what time it is, sit in the car or take a flight and go to him only to give courage in person. Compared to the light, happy, colorful, sweet love, maybe this sounds a bit dark, but for me, that’s romantic.

One scene I still find absolutely romantic is from “Out in Africa” with Robert Redford and Meryl Streep.