Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why did Romantic ballet often feature supernatural characters such as sylphs and wilis?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Classic performance — dance criticism Dance criticism analyzes all forms of dance, including classic pieces such as *Swan Lake*, to enhance the understanding of the art form.

In the context of Romantic ballet, the inclusion of supernatural characters such as sylphs and wilis was rooted in the broader Romanticism movement, which sought to explore the dichotomy between the real and spiritual worlds.12

This aesthetic juxtaposed reality with dreams and the natural with the supernatural, providing a thematic framework that allowed choreographers to express complex emotions and dualities. These otherworldly figures—such as the ghosts of betrayed maidens known as wilis or ethereal sylphs—served as the primary subjects for exploring the conflict between the human experience and the spiritual realm.21

Furthermore, the portrayal of these characters was technically supported by the development of pointe work in the 1820s. Dancing on the tips of the toes provided a visual lightness and grace that was perfectly matched to the depiction of ethereal, non-human beings, allowing ballerinas to embody the weightless, otherworldly quality required by these roles.2