PREFACE TO LYRICAL BALLADS

1
PREFACE TO LYRICAL BALLADS

• William Wordsworth
• 1802

Anna Turato 5C a. s. 2009 - 2010
2
Manifesto of Romanticism

• The Preface to Lyrical ballads is considered
  the Manifesto of English and European Romanticism
• In the Manifesto the features of the Romanticism
  are outlined
• The Manifesto deals with the poets intentions
  and aims in writing poetry

3
The Content

• Incidents and situations from common, low and
  rustic life
• Ordinary things should be presented in an
  unusual way
• Feelings and emotions should be conveyed in
  simple and unelaborated expressions

4
The Language

• A selection of language really used by men
• Familiar, plain and simple language like
  everyday speech
• A language deprived of the vulgarities and
  artificialities of any kind of language

5
The poet

• A man speaking to men
• A man endued with a more lively sensibility,
  enthusiasm and tenderness than common men
• He has a greater knowledge of human nature
• He has a more comprehensive soul than common men
• He is driven to create passions where he does not
  find them

6
Poetry

• Wordsworth defines it as born from
• An Emotion recollected in tranquillity
• Poetry is the Spontaneous overflow of powerful
  feelings
• Poetrys ultimate goal is pleasure