PREFACE TO LYRICAL BALLADS (1850) – WORDSWORTH

PREFACE TO LYRICAL BALLADS (1850) – WORDSWORTH

·         Lyrical Ballads is a collection of poems.

·         It was written by Wordsworth and Coleridge.

·         The first edition of Lyrical Ballads was published in 1798.

·         The second edition of Lyrical Ballads was published in 1800.

·         Coleridge contributed 5 poems.

·         Wordsworth choose to write about rustic peasants and shepherds.

·         Wordsworth is for a selection of the language of rustics.

·         Wordsworth welcomes metre because it superadds pleasure.

·         According to Wordsworth, poetry is a spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.

·         Poetry originates from emotion recollected in tranquility.

·         Poetry should be written in the natural language of common speech, rather than in the lofty and elaborate dictions that were then considered poetic.

·         Poetry should offer access to the emotions contained in memory.

·         The first principle of poetry should be pleasure.

·         The chief duty of poetry is to provide pleasure through a rhythmic and beautiful expression of feeling- for all human sympathy, is based on a subtle pleasure principle that is “the naked and native dignity of man”.

·         Wordsworth compares poet with scientist.

·         The truth in poetry is universal, shared by all.

·         Truth in science is particular and individual.

·         Scientist’s knowledge is superficial.

·         Poet appeals to heart and soul.

·         A great poet has the power of expression through which the thought and feeling are expressed.

·         Poetry is considered as the breath and finer spirit of all knowledge.

·         Poetry is the countenance of all science.

·         Poetry is a impassioned expression.

·         Poetry, is the image of man and nature, is the first and last of all knowledge, is considered as immortal as heart of man, gives us delight and pleasure, purifies our motions and passion, enlightens readers.

·         Rustic’s life is the best subject matter of poetry.

·         Passions are noble and permanent in rustic life.

·         Language really used by men is the suitable language of poetry.

·         Language varied according to character and sentiment.

·         Metre, is the one differentiating element between prose and poetry, is used in poetry, is traditional, regular and uniform, gives pleasure in poetry, softens painful emotions, imparts grace and dignity to poetry.

·         Poetic diction is considered as arbitrary and capricious.

·         Poetic composition takes place  through observation, recollection, contemplation and imaginative excitement.

·         Wordsworth wrote poems to console himself.

·         Poetry teaches the young to see, think and feel and it makes them virtuous.

·         Every great poet is a teacher.

·         Passions and emotions are primary in a poem.

·         Language of poetry must be appropriate to character and situations.

·         Wordworth’s theory of language of poetry was criticized by Coleridge that language is not fit to express the subtle ideas.