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William Wordsworth

William Wordsworth was born in Cockermouth, Cumbria, England, on April 7, 1770. Wordsworth’s mother died when he was eight—this experience shapes much of his later work. Wordsworth attended Hawkshead Grammar School, where his love of poetry was firmly established and, it is believed, where he made his first attempts at verse. While he was at Hawkshead, Wordsworth’s father died leaving him and his four siblings orphans. After Hawkshead, Wordsworth studied at St. John’s College in Cambridge and, before his final semester, he set out on a walking tour of Europe—an experience that influenced both his poetry and his political sensibilities. While touring Europe, Wordsworth came into contact with the French Revolution. This experience, as well as a subsequent period living in France, brought about Wordsworth’s interest and sympathy for the life, troubles, and speech of the “common man.” These issues proved to be of the utmost importance to Wordsworth’s work. Wordsworth’s earliest poetry was published in 1793 in the collections An Evening Walk and Descriptive Sketches . While living in France, Wordsworth conceived a daughter, Caroline, out of wedlock; he left France, however, before she was born. In 1802, he returned to France with his sister on a four-week visit to meet Caroline. Later that year, he married Mary Hutchinson, a childhood friend, and they had five children together. In 1812, while living in Grasmere, two of their children—Catherine and John—died.

Equally important in the poetic life of Wordsworth was his 1795 meeting with the poet  Samuel Taylor Coleridge . It was with Coleridge that Wordsworth published the famous Lyrical Ballads  (J. & A. Arch) in 1798. While the poems themselves are some of the most influential in Western literature, it is the preface to the second edition that remains one of the most important testaments to a poet’s views on both his craft and his place in the world. In the preface Wordsworth writes on the need for “common speech” within poems and argues against the hierarchy of the period which valued epic poetry above the lyric.

Wordsworth’s most famous work, The Prelude (Edward Moxon, 1850), is considered by many to be the crowning achievement of English Romanticism . The poem, revised numerous times, chronicles the spiritual life of the poet and marks the birth of a new genre of poetry. Although Wordsworth worked on The Prelude throughout his life, the poem was published posthumously. Wordsworth spent his final years settled at Rydal Mount in England, traveling, and continuing his outdoor excursions. Devastated by the death of his daughter, Dora, in 1847, Wordsworth seemingly lost his will to compose poems.

William Wordsworth died at Rydal Mount on April 23, 1850, leaving his wife, Mary, to publish The Prelude three months later.

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Home / Poetry / William Wordsworth as a Romantic Poet

William Wordsworth as a Romantic Poet

The romantic poet William Wordsworth (1770–1850) is regarded as one of the central figures of the Romantic movement in English literature. His poetry is deeply influenced by his love for nature and his experiences in the Lake District of England. The poetry of William Blake embodies many of the key characteristics of Romanticism.

Table of Contents

Here are some key aspects of Wordsworth’s work as a Romantic poet:

• Love for Nature : Wordsworth’s poetry is filled with love and appreciation for the natural world. He believes that nature has a healing and spiritually uplifting effect on human beings. His poetry describes the beauty of landscapes, the changing seasons, and the tranquillity found in natural settings.
• Emotion and Imagination : Romantic poets emphasize the importance of emotion and imagination over reason and logic. Wordsworth seeks to capture the intense emotions and subjective experiences of individuals in his poetry. He explores themes of joy, sorrow, and transcendence. In short, he talks about his own experiences.
• Focus on Common Man : Wordsworth talks about the emotions of individuals and the unique experiences of ordinary people. He believes that everyone has the capacity for profound emotional experiences and spiritual insights. Many of his poems feature ordinary people and characters from rural life. His poems highlight the struggles, joys, and aspirations of common men.
• Spirituality : Wordsworth’s poetry also explores themes of spirituality and the power of nature. He believes that nature could lead to moments of profound insight and spiritual awakening. His famous poem “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey” shows the ability of nature to connect individuals to deeper truths and higher states of consciousness.
• Language and Poetic Form : The romantic poet Wordsworth is also known for his innovative use of language and poetic form. He seeks to create poetry that is accessible to a wide audience and that reflects the rhythms and cadences of everyday speech. He experimented with new forms of poetic expression, such as the lyrical ballad, which combined elements of poetry and prose.

Love for Nature

William Wordsworth’s profound love for nature is a central theme in much of his poetry. He spent much of his life near the Lake District of England, therefore, he has a profound love for nature. There are many poems which showcase his love for nature:

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud (1804)

This poem is also known as “Daffodils”. The poem celebrates the beauty and power of nature’s wonders. The romantic poet William Wordsworth describes a field of daffodils dancing in the breeze. The daffodils create a scene of natural beauty that fills him with joy. The poem begins:

Tintern Abbey (1798)

In this poem, Wordsworth revisits the banks of the River Wye and talks about the everlasting power of nature. He describes the landscape in detail and explores how his connection to nature has shaped his identity. He writes:

These examples illustrate Wordsworth’s ability to capture the beauty, power, and spiritual significance of the natural world in his poetry. His deep connection to nature provides him an inspiration for writing poetry.

Emotion and Imagination

Emotion and imagination are central themes in the poetry of romantic poet William Wordsworth. He believes that poetry should evoke emotions and stimulate the reader’s imagination. Many of his poems are elucidates these two major themes:

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud (also known as “Daffodils”)

• In this famous poem, Wordsworth describes a field of daffodils fluttering and dancing in the breeze. The imagery of the “golden daffodils” and the “sprightly dance” creates a sense of joy and wonder.
• The poet’s emotions are evident in lines such as “A poet could not but be gay, / In such a jocund company”. He expresses his happiness and the inspiration he draws from nature.

Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey

• In this poem, Wordsworth recalls an incident of visiting Tintern Abbey. He mentions his own feelings, the passage of time and the power of nature. He describes the “wild secluded scene” and the “steep and lofty cliffs” with vivid imagery.
• The poem explores the emotional impact of revisiting a beloved natural landscape. The poet’s feelings in this poem are nostalgic.

The Solitary Reaper

• In this poem, Wordsworth sees a solitary reaper in the Scottish Highlands, singing a melancholy song in an unknown language. The poet cannot understand the words but is deeply moved by her song.
• Wordsworth imagines it as a “melancholy strain” that expresses universal human emotions.

Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood

• In this ode, the romantic poet William Wordsworth talks about the loss of childhood innocence and the passage of time. He is of the view that children possess a special connection to the divine and a sense of wonder and imagination.
• Wordsworth’s emotions range from sorrowful lamentation for the loss of childhood joy to hopeful anticipation of spiritual renewal and reunion with the sublime.

These examples demonstrate how Wordsworth’s poetry engages the reader’s emotions and stimulates the imagination through vivid imagery.

Focus on the Common Man

The romantic poet William Wordsworth’s focus on the individual and the common man is a central theme in many of his poems. He believes that ordinary people, their experiences, and their emotions are worthy subjects for poetry. His poetry highlights this focus:

In this poem, Wordsworth reflects on his own experiences. He visits Tintern Abbey and tells us how nature has had a lasting impact on his life. He also speaks about his sister Dorothy and the solace they find in each other’s company. Wordsworth emphasizes the importance of individual experience and how nature can connect people to deeper truths. He writes:

This poem depicts a solitary Scottish Highland girl working in the fields and singing a melancholy song. Wordsworth is captivated by her song. The poet shows that the power of music can evoke emotions and connect individuals across distances. The poem is all about the beauty and significance of the ordinary lives of rural people. He writes:

This narrative poem tells the story of a shepherd named Michael and his deep connection to his land and family. It explores themes of loss, love, and the passage of time. The romantic poet William Wordsworth portrays the dignity and resilience of the common man in the face of adversity through the character of Michael. He writes:

These examples illustrate Wordsworth’s commitment to portraying the lives, experiences, and emotions of ordinary individuals in his poetry. He emphasizes the humanity and the richness of their inner lives.

Spirituality and Transcendence

Spirituality and transcendence are central themes in the poetry of romantic poet William Wordsworth. The poet explores the relationship between the human spirit and the natural world. He also considers nature’s capacity as powerful to evoke profound spiritual experiences. Many poems exemplify these themes:

Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey :

This poem describes how the beauty of the landscape and the memories associated with the place awaken a sense of spiritual renewal within the poet. The poem explores that nature has the power to connect individuals to deeper truths. Furthermore, nature provides solace and comfort in times of trouble.

Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood .

This ode is about the loss of innocence that accompanies childhood. The poet mourns the passage of time and the fading of the experiences of childhood. He also suggests that these experiences leave an indelible mark on the human soul. Wordsworth suggests that the beauty of the natural world is a reminder of the spiritual truths that transcend the material world.

These examples illustrate how the romantic poet William Wordsworth’s poetry explores themes of spirituality and transcendence. The poet emphasises the transformative power of nature and the capacity of the human spirit to find meaning and solace in the natural world.

Language and Poetic Form

William Wordsworth’s poetry is characterised by its innovative use of language and poetic form. It helps to shape the Romantic literary movement. There are some aspects of his language and poetic form in his poems, which are:

Simple and Conversational Language .

The romantic poet Wordsworth uses a language that is clear, simple, and conversational. He often utilises the formal diction of earlier poets. He believes that poetry should speak directly to the common people. For example, in “Lines Written in Early Spring,” he uses straightforward language to describe the beauty of nature: 

Lyrical Ballad Form

Wordsworth, along with his friend Samuel Taylor Coleridge, pioneered the lyrical ballad form, which combined elements of poetry and prose. This form allowed Wordsworth to tell stories of everyday life and ordinary people in a language that was accessible to a wide audience. An example of this form can be seen in “We Are Seven,” where he tells the story of a conversation with a young girl about her siblings who have passed away.

Use of Nature Imagery

Wordsworth’s poetry is rich with imagery drawn from the natural world. He often uses nature as a source of inspiration and as a metaphor for human emotions and experiences. In “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” (also known as “Daffodils”), he vividly describes a field of daffodils:

Reflective and Meditative Tone

Many of Wordsworth’s poems have a reflective and meditative tone. In poems, the speaker contemplates the beauty of nature and its impact on the human soul. In “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey,” Wordsworth talks about the memories and spiritual insights he gains from revisiting a natural landscape:

These examples demonstrate Wordsworth’s skilful use of language and poetic form to convey his connection with nature, individual experience, and exploration of the human condition.

In a nutshell, the romantic poet Wordsworth’s poetry embodies the ideals and themes of the Romantic movement, including a deep reverence for nature, individual experience, and a belief in the power of imagination and emotion. His work continues to be discussed for its beauty, insight, and enduring relevance.

Preface to the Lyrical Ballads

William wordsworth, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on William Wordsworth's Preface to the Lyrical Ballads . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

Preface to the Lyrical Ballads: Introduction

Preface to the lyrical ballads: plot summary, preface to the lyrical ballads: detailed summary & analysis, preface to the lyrical ballads: themes, preface to the lyrical ballads: quotes, preface to the lyrical ballads: characters, preface to the lyrical ballads: symbols, preface to the lyrical ballads: quiz, preface to the lyrical ballads: theme wheel, brief biography of william wordsworth.

Historical Context of Preface to the Lyrical Ballads

Other books related to preface to the lyrical ballads.

• Full Title: Preface to the Lyrical Ballads
• When Written: 1800-1802
• Where Written: Grasmere, England
• When Published: 1800 (2nd ed.), 1802 (3rd ed.)
• Literary Period: Romantic
• Genre: Essay, Manifesto
• Antagonist: Late-Neoclassical writers
• Point of View: First Person

Extra Credit for Preface to the Lyrical Ballads

Decline with Age. Wordsworth wrote prolifically throughout his life, but it appeared that after 1807, his poetic sensibility declined. Scholars have debated the reason for this decline. Some say that most of his poetry is based on the remembrance and reinterpretation of things he experienced as a youth, and memories of these experiences hardly forms an inexhaustible source for poetic inspiration.