William Wordsworth Lecture Notes

Flashcards about the life and works of William Wordsworth, covering his early life, influences, key relationships, and major works.

William Wordsworth

An English Romantic poet known for writing about nature. He was later made Poet Laureate of England.

Where was Wordsworth born and how did it influence his poetry?

He was born in the Lake District, an area of natural beauty in the North of England, which deeply influenced his love for natural sceneries reflected in his poetry.

What was Wordsworth's experience at Cambridge?

He found the atmosphere at Cambridge not particularly stimulating, showing his dissatisfaction with the English establishment.

What major event influenced Wordsworth at the age of 21?

The French Revolution had a tremendous impact on him, leading him to support revolutionary ideas.

Who was Annette Valon?

A French girl with whom Wordsworth fell in love during the French Revolution; she bore him a daughter named Caroline.

What caused Wordsworth to return to England from France?

Lack of money, opposition from Annette's parents, and the outbreak of war prevented him from marrying Annette and returning to France.

In what autobiographical poem did Wordsworth describe his experiences and emotional struggles?

The Prelude.

What is significant about Wordsworth's Lyrical Ballads?

It marked the beginning of romantic and modern poetry, focusing on the ordinary person and using ordinary speech.

Who collaborated with Wordsworth on Lyrical Ballads?

Samuel Taylor Coleridge, another great poet of early English Romanticism.

What were the respective contributions of Wordsworth and Coleridge to Lyrical Ballads?

Wordsworth contributed his love of natural and ordinary subjects, while Coleridge contributed his love of the exotic and the supernatural.

What was the title Wordsworth chose for his autobiographical poem?

Poem to Collieridge.