William Wordsworth

LYRICAL BALLADS

Co-authored with Coleridge, Lyrical Ballads marked the beginning of the Romantic movement. Wordsworth’s preface outlines the importance of emotion and simplicity in poetry.

TINTERN ABBEY

Wordsworth’s Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey reflects on memory, nature, and spiritual growth. It is considered one of his most important works for its exploration of personal development.

THE DAFFODILS

In this poem, Wordsworth reflects on the beauty of nature and its power to uplift the human spirit. The image of daffodils dancing in the wind is iconic in Romantic poetry.

THE PRELUDE

This long, autobiographical poem traces Wordsworth’s spiritual and intellectual development. It is often seen as his magnum opus, providing insight into his Romantic philosophy.

ROMANTICISM

Wordsworth is a key figure of Romanticism, emphasizing the importance of nature, emotion, and imagination over reason and formal structures. His influence can be seen in much of 19th-century poetry.