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Preface To The Lyrical Ballads

In the preface to Lyrical Ballads, Wordsworth outlines his and Coleridge's intent to create poetry that emphasizes simplicity and genuine emotion, drawing from the lives of ordinary people. He advocates for the use of common language in poetry to enhance emotional clarity and defines the poet as someone with heightened sensitivity and insight. Wordsworth also highlights the importance of nature in poetry, asserting that it fosters emotional growth and should serve as a profound source of inspiration.

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Anees Ul Hassan
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333 views2 pages

Preface To The Lyrical Ballads

In the preface to Lyrical Ballads, Wordsworth outlines his and Coleridge's intent to create poetry that emphasizes simplicity and genuine emotion, drawing from the lives of ordinary people. He advocates for the use of common language in poetry to enhance emotional clarity and defines the poet as someone with heightened sensitivity and insight. Wordsworth also highlights the importance of nature in poetry, asserting that it fosters emotional growth and should serve as a profound source of inspiration.

Uploaded by

Anees Ul Hassan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Preface to The Lyrical Ballads


(William Wordsworth)

1)Purpose and Innovation

Wordsworth begins the preface by explaining the purpose behind Lyrical Ballads. He states
that he and Coleridge aimed to produce poetry that differed from the highly ornamental and
artificial style that was common in the 18th century. They wanted to return to the simplicity
of everyday life and common language, believing that genuine emotion and experience were
better captured through the lives of ordinary people. Wordsworth emphasizes that the
themes of the poems are chosen from humble and rural life because such settings foster
deeper feelings and authentic language.

2)Language of Poetry

A central argument in the preface is Wordsworth's advocacy for the use of common language
in poetry. He criticizes the "poetic diction" that had dominated English verse, arguing that it
distanced poetry from real human experience. He contends that the language of poetry
should not differ significantly from that used by people in everyday conversation, especially
in emotionally charged situations. Wordsworth believed that using simple language helped
express universal emotions more clearly and powerfully.

3)Definition and Role of the Poet

Wordsworth defines a poet as someone endowed with greater sensitivity, imagination, and
insight than average people. A true poet, he says, has the ability to feel emotions deeply and
to reflect upon them in tranquility, which allows for the creation of powerful poetry. The
poet’s task is to portray universal human truths and to connect the reader emotionally with
the subject matter. He also emphasizes the importance of memory and contemplation in
poetic creation, suggesting that poetry originates from “emotion recollected in tranquility.”

4)Nature and Emotion

Nature plays a vital role in Wordsworth’s poetic philosophy. He believed that communion
with nature cultivates moral and emotional growth, and that poetry should reflect this
relationship. Nature, for Wordsworth, is not just a backdrop but an active, spiritual force that
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shapes human experience. He argues that the natural world can elevate and refine human
emotion, making it a powerful subject for poetry.

5)Function of Poetry

Wordsworth asserts that the ultimate goal of poetry is to provide pleasure by offering
profound insight into human life and feeling. He defends poetry as an essential human
activity, capable of nourishing empathy, wisdom, and emotional awareness. Contrary to the
neoclassical view that poetry should instruct through reason and order, Wordsworth claims
its main power lies in its emotional and spiritual impact. Through the natural expression of
sincere feeling, poetry can uplift the mind and the heart.

6)Defense Against Criticism

Anticipating criticism of the volume’s experimental nature, Wordsworth defends his stylistic
choices and reiterates that innovation is necessary for the health of poetry. He challenges
rigid poetic conventions and urges readers and critics to consider the deeper value of
sincerity, truth, and emotional authenticity over mechanical form or elaborate style. He
acknowledges that his poetry might not immediately please everyone but believes it will
resonate with readers willing to engage thoughtfully with it.

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