The end of the Enlightenment period and the shift towards romanticism in European thought were marked by a growing emphasis on emotion, individualism, and a reaction against the rationalism of the Enlightenment. Critics began to argue that reason alone could not address the complexities of human experience, leading to an artistic and intellectual movement that valued nature, history, and the sublime. This transition became evident through literature, music, and art that focused on personal experience and aesthetic beauty, shifting societal focus towards deep emotional and spiritual connections.