Romanticism, an intellectual and cultural movement of the late 18th and 19th centuries that followed the Enlightenment, could be described as a rebellion against the social and political norms of aristocratic society. Merriam-Webster defines Romanticism as “a literary, artistic, and philosophical movement originating in the 18th century, characterized primarily by a reaction against neoclassicism and an emphasis on imagination and emotion (Romanticism).” Historians have often reflected on the conscious rejection of conventional social mores as a characteristic of young poets (Spielvogel 657). In contrast to the rationalistic approach to thought typical of the Enlightenment, Romantic literature focused on human emotions, freedom of thought, individualism, self-reflection, and the adoration of the ordinary. Romantic poetry also served as a means of expressing one of the main “characteristics of Romanticism: love of nature” (Spielvogel 658.). Intuition, the free expression of emotions and thoughts, a return to the sacramental connection with nature, and faith in the goodness of humanity were all critical elements in much of the literature of this time. Percy Bysshe Shelley, a classic example of a Romantic poet, contributed immensely to the legacy of Romanticism. Critical writer Tel Asiado states, "[h]are poems overflowing with intense, emotional, and radical ideas" (Asiado). During Shelley's lifetime, he composed many impressive works of poetry characterized by freedom of thought, human emotion, individualism, reflection on the past, thoughts on humanity, and the dynamic force of nature. Although Matthew Arnold labeled him an “ineffectual angel,” 20th-century critics took Shelley… to the center of the paper… tions of literature. Port Washington, NY: Kennikat, 1965. Print. Hesse, Hermann, Egon Schwarz and Ingrid Fry. Siddhartha, Demian and other writings. New York: Continuum, 1992. Print.Mazzeno, Laurence W. “Hymn to the West Wind.” Masterplots II: Poetry, revised edition (2002): 1-2. MagillOnLiterature Plus. Network. April 21, 2012. McLean, John L. "Percy Bysshe Shelley." Magill's Survey of World Literature, revised edition (2009): 1-7. MagillOnLiteratura Plus. Rete. 21 April 2012. "Note on the poems of 1818, by Mrs. Shelley." [Notes...by Mary Shelley]. Network. April 17, 2012. Raymer, Giovanni. "Hymn to the West Wind." Masterplots, fourth edition (2010): 1-2. MagillOnLiterature Plus. Network. April 12, 2012. Spielvogel, Jackson J. Western Civilization: A Brief History, Volume 2. Seventh ed. vol. 2. Boston: Cengage Learning, 2010. Print.