Wordsworth, William - Vita, opere, pensiero

Indice

1. Life and Works
2. The Manifesto of English Romanticism
3. Man and Nature
4. The Senses and Memory
5. Recollection in Tranquillity
6. The Poet's Task and his Style
7. Daffodils, by William Wordsworth

Life and Works

William Wordsworth was born in Cumberland in the English Lake District.
He was educated in St. John's College.

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.

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.

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.

The Manifesto of English Romanticism

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 poet is a man among men, so should speak their language; but also because in humble rural life man is nearer to his own purer passion.

Man and Nature

Wordsworth thought that there were a relationship between man and nature.
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 inanimate and human nature.
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.

The Senses and Memory

Nature is also the world of sense perceptions.
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 growth of the poet's mind and moral character, and it's memory that allows Wordsworth to give poetry its life and power.

Recollection in Tranquillity

All genuine poetry "takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility".
Through memory, the emotion is reproduced and purified in poetic form.

The Poet's Task and his Style

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, by William Wordsworth

"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 countryside; he was in a mood of loneliness.
The entire environment was in a state of joy and dance, so the poet also felt happy