Concetti Chiave
- William Wordsworth's connection with nature in Dorset helped him overcome disillusionment from the French Revolution, shaping his poetic themes.
- The friendship between Wordsworth and Coleridge was crucial for English Romantic poetry, leading to the creation of "Lyrical Ballads".
- "Lyrical Ballads" marked the beginning of English naturalism, emphasizing simple language and objective literary descriptions.
- The 'Preface' to the second edition of "Lyrical Ballads" is seen as the Manifesto of English Romanticism, advocating for simple language and a deep connection between man and nature.
- Wordsworth viewed memory as essential for poetry, believing genuine poetry originates from emotions recollected in tranquility.
Birth and Education
William Wordsworth was born in Cumberland in the English Lake District.
He was educated in 
He was enthusiastic about the French Revolution, because of the democratic ideals, which he hoped could lead to a new social order.
However, the brutal and destructive developments of the Revolution and the war between England and France brought him a sense of nervousness.
The disillusionment of these years were healed by the contact with Nature in Dorset.
What is the connection between Friendship and Romantic Poetry?
Then, he moved to Somerset to be near Coleridge; their friendship was absolutely important for the English Romantic poetry: they produced a collection of poems called "Lyrical Ballads".
This collection of poetries are relevant because it marks the beginning of English naturalism where reality is described in literature objectively and both the voice and the thought of the author should not be recognisable. As a matter of fact, Wordsworth used a simple and clear writing style which echoes popular way of speaking.
Manifesto of English Romanticism
The second edition of “Lyrical Ballads” contained 'Preface', which was considered the Manifesto of English Romanticism. Wordsworth, Coleridge and Southey, in fact, are considered the first generation of Romantic poets while Lord Bayron, P.B. Shelley and John Keats the second one.
Wordsworth was against the artificial and elevated language of the 18th century poetry, because, for him, the language should be simple, using ordinary names, not complex ones,
The reason for this choice is because the Wordsworth thought that there were a relationship between He believes that man and nature are inseparable; man doesn't exist outside the natural world and it's an active participant in it.
Wordsworth sees nature as something that includes both Nature comfort man in sorrow, it's a source of pleasure and joy, it teaches man to love and to act in moral way, it's also the seat of the spirit of the universe.
Memory and Poetry
Nature is also the world of sense Wordsworth used, above all, the sensibility of the eye and of the ear to perceive both the forms of nature and its sounds.
Memory is a major force in the process of All genuine poetry "takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility".
Through memory, the emotion is reproduced and purified in poetic form.
The Poet as Teacher
The Poet becomes a teacher, who could show men how to understand their feeling.
His task consist in drawing attention to the ordinary things of life, to the humblest people, where the deepest emotions and truths are to be found.
"Daffodils" is one of Wordsworth's most famous poems, where he shows his love for nature, talking about those flowers, which are near a lake and some trees; those daffodils are like stars in the milky way and they seems to be more than ten thousand.
The poet was wandering in the The entire environment was in a state of joy and dance, so the poet also felt happy
Domande da interrogazione
- How did William Wordsworth's early experiences influence his poetic themes?
- Why is the 'Preface' to the second edition of "Lyrical Ballads" significant in Romantic literature?
Wordsworth's enthusiasm for the French Revolution and subsequent disillusionment due to its violent turn were pivotal. His healing through nature in Dorset shaped his poetic focus on nature's restorative power, as highlighted in the text.
The 'Preface' is considered the Manifesto of English Romanticism, where Wordsworth advocated for simple language and the inseparable relationship between man and nature, opposing the artificial language of 18th-century poetry.
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