Romanticisation

Romanticisation is the act or process of presenting something in an idealized, romantic light, emphasizing positive aspects while downplaying complexity, harm, or negative outcomes. The term is used across disciplines to describe how people, events, places, and experiences are framed to evoke emotional appeal or aesthetic allure. American English tends to spell it as romanticization, while British English uses romanticisation.

Origins and scope. The concept stems from the broader idea of romanticism—the cultural movement that valued emotion, imagination, and nature—but in common usage it refers to any selective portrayal that elevates charm or nobility. Romanticisation occurs in history, culture, media, tourism, education, and personal perception, affecting how audiences understand people, places, and events.

Mechanisms. It often relies on narrative framing, nostalgia, selective storytelling, and familiar cultural scripts. Individuals and institutions may emphasize beauty, virtue, or heroism while suppressing conflict, harm, or complexity. Media representations, travel marketing, and memorial practices frequently contribute by crafting easily digestible or emotionally compelling portraits.

Impacts. When constructive, romanticisation can inspire admiration, resilience, or ethical interest. When excessive or misapplied, it can distort reality, reinforce stereotypes, justify exploitation or violence, and hinder critical discussion. In social contexts, romanticised depictions of groups or histories may erase harms, power imbalances, or marginalized voices.

Critique and balance. Critics argue for nuanced portrayals that acknowledge both positives and negatives, include multiple perspectives, and situate depictions within historical and cultural contexts. Approaches such as critical media literacy and multiperspectival historiography aim to counter uncritical romanticisation.

See also. Idealization, nostalgia, myth-making, propaganda, cultural representation.