romanticization

Romanticization is the tendency to present or perceive a subject as more attractive, noble, or adventurous than in reality, typically through idealized imagery, storytelling, and selective emphasis on positive aspects while minimizing or omitting negative ones. The term derives from the word romantic, connected to the Romantic movement and to the practice of crafting romance narratives; in modern usage, it refers to portraying realities—historical, social, or personal—in a way that emphasizes emotion, beauty, and grandeur.

Romanticization can occur across media, culture, and daily life. It often relies on aestheticization, nostalgia, and myth-making to evoke sentiment or aspiration. It can accompany both benign uses, such as inspiring admiration or preserving memory, and harmful effects, such as distorting historical truth, masking harm, or justifying exploitation. For example, romanticized portrayals of war or colonialism can downplay violence and power imbalances; the portrayal of poverty as picturesque can erase structural causes.

Analysts distinguish romanticization from related concepts like idealization, glamour, or escapism. Critical examination highlights how selective representation shapes attitudes, policy, and behavior. In discourse, awareness of romanticization encourages more nuanced accounts that acknowledge complexity and harm while recognizing genuine human experiences and values that people seek to celebrate.

See also: idealization, myth-making, halo effect, escapism, glamour.