The eponymous inter esse means the elusive "third" position of that which lies between, that which escapes unambiguous classification, and constitutes the essence of Romanticism. The book provides a constellation of texts, a clash of case studies that provide contrasting views of Romanticism, shifting between inspiration and virtuosity (Hugo and Mickiewicz), feminine poetry and the fantasy of femininity (Desbordes-Valmore and ¯michowska; de Nerval and Krasiñski), along with optimistic versus pessimistic-even nihilistic-reactions to disenchantment with the Enlightenment (Novalis,...