In 1766, Gotthold Ephraim Lessing published 'Laocoön,' a seminal work that distinguished between the spatial arts, such as painting and sculpture, and the temporal arts, like poetry. He argued that poetry excels in depicting action and emotion, influencing the discourse on aesthetics and art theory. Lessing's insights contributed to the understanding of artistic expression and the unique qualities of different art forms.

Lessing's 'Laocoön' liberated poetry from strict Neoclassical constraints, encouraging poets to embrace narrative and emotional depth. This shift allowed for a richer exploration of human experience, as seen in the works of Romantic poets who prioritized feeling over form.