Themes and Philosophy of Romantic Poet William Words worth

In this article, I have explained the works, philosophy, and themes of William Words Worth's poetry. He discussed his philosophy in the preface to the lyrical Ballad. Words Worth is a very important and leading figure of the Romantic age. He represents the Romantic age. In order to understand the Romantic age, we have to study the philosophy and themes of William Words Worth.

Themes and Philosophy of William Words Worth




William Words and his works


William Wordsworth was born in Cockermouth in the year 1770. He was among one the famous romantic poets of that age of romanticism some of the popular writers of that age were Coleridge, Walter Scott, Lord Byron, Shelley and Keats., Lame Hazlitt, and Jane Austin. William Wordsworth had a very unique life in the sense that he lived among shepherds and dales men. Though he had a somewhat disturbed family where he had to take care of his neurotic sister “Dorthy” had a great influence upon the mind of her brother. She also loved nature just as her brother was fond of nature, and also introduced himself as nature’s child. His collection of autobiographical accounts “the Prelude “ was published posthumously in 1850.

Early critics criticized words worth for his shallow approach and childlike simplicity in his poems. However, later generations gave him due respect; he wrote a masterpiece “Lyrical Ballads “after being encouraged by S.T. Coleridge. The ballads started with Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.”

Lyrical Ballads were composed in 1798. In these Ballads, Words Worth has focused mainly on nature. He has talked about children in a most delightful manner. He brings into discussion the life of poor people and common people. The language of these ballads is just ordinary words to express his very personal feeling. We find the practical application of Words Worth’s won proverb according to which “Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feeling arising from emotion recollected in tranquility.” This definition was also followed by many other subsequent poets.

In his preface to “Lyrical Ballads,” Words Worth has pointed out that he has selected a proper language for the language which is the real language of men which he derived with vivid sensation. His aim seems to impart pleasure rationally and emotionally as well. He admits that the language, he has chosen is primarily to please the common readers. He also realizes the fact that this language may not be liked by some other readers.

The main object for these poems was to choose incidents and situations from common life coupled with the possible coloring of imagination which may render these poems as a worthwhile reading material that can amuse and excite feelings. He says that he has taken into account rustic life for the reason that essential passions of the heart find a better soil under those conditions. The language is used without many restraints and a plainer and more emphatic language has been enforced. These ideas are selected from common themes, can be more accurately contemplated, and more forcibly communicated. He further tells that he has made an effort to combine the passions of men with a beautiful and permanent form of nature. 

The language too has been purified just in order to get across with a positive angle. These people who keep themselves in touch with nature are better subjects and are undoubtedly better readers with a lot more understanding of the language of these poems is without any social vanity which is harmful to the very spirit of poetry. He says that his effort is to make the impression lasting and permanent. Philosophical ideas have also been introduced but with care so that the effect of any work may not be spoiled.

These days, some of the writers have introduced triviality and meanness both of thought and language which some of the contemporary poets have used in their metrical compositions. He has deeply different ideas related to this collection. He confesses that each of these poems has a purpose. These poems will differ from other poems in feelings which give importance to the action and situation and not the action and situation to feelings.

Words Worth says that there is not a great difference between the language of prose and metrical composition. One can easily find a close resemblance between poetry and painting and thus we call them sisters. These two speak the same language through organs. One is used through the organs of imagination and observation whereas the other requires physical exertion. The ultimate purpose of these two is the same.

The poet should try to bring his feelings nearer to those whose feelings have been described. For this, a proper selection should be made as to the subject of the poetry.

The language should be so defined that it can be fitted for the passions as they reflect and suggest. The poet is bound to write with the necessity of giving immediate pleasure to a human being who possesses that information that may be expected from him not as a professional worker but as rea man talking about other real men.

Poetry is the very basis of all knowledge. It is the impassioned expression that is facing the rigid world of facts and figures and modern technologies. All knowledge springs from poetry and it is as immortal as the heart of a man. A poet can chiefly distinguish himself from other men for keeping greater promptness to think and feel without immediate external excitement and greater power in expressing such thoughts and feelings and are produced in him in that manner. It shows that being a sensitive mab can think in a unique manner from within a and this too without much external element of excitement.

Words Worth has summed up this preface with a rather inquiring note when he asks his readers to read his combined effort “ Lyrical Ballads” and give their opinion on merit. By reading all the qualities which he has mentioned in his preface, we come to know that he was very serious in following the basic principles that are simple poetry should be encouraged. Simple people should be discussed and a certain amount of the coloring of imagination should be used.

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