“LYRICAL BALLADS"

William Wordsworth's preface to "Lyrical Ballads" (1800) is a seminal work in literary criticism. In it,
Wordsworth articulates the principles of Romantic poetry, emphasizing a focus on ordinary people
and everyday language. He defends the use of "low and rustic life" as subject matter and advocates for
a poetry that arises from sincere emotion and the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.
Wordsworth also introduces the concept of "poetic diction," arguing for a language close to that of
common speech. The preface is a foundational text for understanding the Romantic movement and its
emphasis on nature, emotion, and the individual's experience.
William Wordsworth's preface to "Lyrical Ballads" outlines key principles of Romantic poetry that
significantly impact the poems within the collection. One central tenet is the focus on ordinary people
and everyday language. Wordsworth argues for the portrayal of "low and rustic life," emphasizing the
importance of depicting common experiences. This principle is evident in poems such as "Michael"
and "The Idiot Boy," where the lives of simple individuals become the subject of poetic exploration.
Moreover, Wordsworth advocates for poetry that arises from sincere emotion and the spontaneous
overflow of powerful feelings. The emphasis on emotion is particularly notable in poems like "Lines
Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey," where the speaker reflects on the emotional impact of
nature and memory. The spontaneous overflow of feeling is evident in the vivid and immediate
expressions found throughout the collection, contributing to a sense of authenticity and raw emotion.
Wordsworth's preface to "Lyrical Ballads" underscores the pivotal role of emotion and imagination in
Romantic poetry. According to Wordsworth, poetry should arise from the spontaneous overflow of
powerful feelings, emphasizing the subjective experience of the poet. This emphasis on emotion is
notably present in poems like "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud," where the speaker's emotional
response to the beauty of nature is vividly expressed.
Moreover, Wordsworth sees imagination as an essential faculty in poetic creation. He advocates for a
poetic process that involves a creative re-imagining of ordinary experiences. This concept is evident
in poems such as "Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey," where memory and
imagination intertwine to recreate a heightened emotional experience.
The emphasis on emotion and imagination also challenges the prevailing neoclassical ideals of
objectivity and rationality in poetry. Wordsworth's Romantic vision posits that poetry is a subjective
expression of individual experience, and this subjectivity is a key source of its power.
In the preface to "Lyrical Ballads," William Wordsworth introduces the concept of "poetic diction" as
a fundamental aspect of Romantic poetry. Poetic diction, according to Wordsworth, involves the use
of language that is close to that of common speech, eschewing the ornate and artificial language
prevalent in the poetry of his time.
Wordsworth argues that the language of poetry should be accessible and resonate with the ordinary
reader. This rejection of elaborate language is evident in poems like "Simon Lee," where the use of
simple and direct language helps to convey the pathos of the aged huntsman's situation. The dialogue
between the characters is rendered in a manner that mirrors everyday speech, aligning with
Wordsworth's call for a more democratic and relatable poetic language.
The rejection of artificial language in favor of a more straightforward and commonplace vocabulary
serves to democratize poetry, making it accessible to a wider audience. In doing so, Wordsworth
challenges the elitism associated with the language of poetry in the 18th century and advocates for a
poetry that speaks to the common experiences and emotions of everyday people.
Wordsworth's preface to "Lyrical Ballads" defends the choice of subject matter, particularly the
emphasis on "low and rustic life," as a central tenet of Romantic poetry. This choice reflects the
Romantic interest in the everyday experiences of common people and serves as a departure from the
elevated and aristocratic themes prevalent in the poetry of the 18th century.
In poems like "Michael" and "The Idiot Boy," Wordsworth explores the lives of individuals from rural
and humble backgrounds, presenting their experiences with a profound sense of dignity and
importance. This shift in focus allows Wordsworth to celebrate the inherent value of ordinary lives
and challenge the hierarchical views embedded in traditional poetic subjects.
The portrayal of "low and rustic life" also aligns with Wordsworth's emphasis on sincerity and
authenticity in poetry. By choosing subjects from everyday life, he argues for a poetry that is
grounded in reality and capable of evoking genuine emotion.
Wordsworth's preface to "Lyrical Ballads" underscores the significance of nature as a central theme in
Romantic poetry. Nature, for Wordsworth, is not merely a backdrop but an active and transformative
force that shapes the emotional and imaginative aspects of his poetry.
The role of nature in Wordsworth's poetry also extends to its capacity to symbolize deeper truths and
emotions. The natural world becomes a reflection of the human experience, with landscapes serving
as metaphors for internal states of mind. This interplay between the external and internal realms is
exemplified in poems like "The World Is Too Much With Us," where the poet laments humanity's
estrangement from nature.
Wordsworth's preface to "Lyrical Ballads" has had a profound impact on the literary landscape of the
Romantic period, influencing poets of his time and leaving lasting effects on subsequent literary
movements.
The preface's emphasis on ordinary people, everyday language, and a focus on emotion and
imagination challenged the established norms of 18th-century poetry. Poets such as Samuel Taylor
Coleridge, a close associate of Wordsworth, were inspired by these principles, evident in Coleridge's
collaborative work on "Lyrical Ballads" and his individual works like "The Rime of the Ancient
Mariner."
The preface's impact can also be traced in the transformation of poetic language. Wordsworth's call
for a language close to that of common speech challenged the elevated diction of the 18th century,
influencing poets who sought to connect with a wider audience. This shift in language is evident in
the works of later poets, including the Victorian poets who inherited and adapted Romantic ideals.
Moreover, the emphasis on the subjective experience of the poet and the celebration of the ordinary
had a lasting impact on literary theory.