Notes on Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Romanticism

Overview of Romanticism and Lyrical Ballads

Romanticism Context:
- Emergence against the backdrop of historical events (e.g., French and American Revolutions).
- Shift from neoclassical emphasis (rationality, decorum) to emotional expressiveness and nature.
Key Figure: William Wordsworth, along with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, as pivotal romantic poets.

Collaboration: 1798 publication featuring both poets.
- Unique blend of their poetic styles and beliefs.
Preface to Lyrical Ballads (1800): Written solely by Wordsworth, the preface became significant in literary criticism, shaping Romanticism.
Content and Structure of Lyrical Ballads:
- Aimed to use the “real language of men” to make poetry accessible.
- Focused on ordinary life, nature, and emotional experiences.
- Styles included narrative ballads (often sad stories), diverging from neoclassical poetry.

Received initial criticism from contemporaries but praised by the public.
Critics questioned its poetic legitimacy due to its simplicity and departure from traditional decorum.

Nature's Influence:
- Nature as a source of inspiration and emotional depth.
- Example: "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" illustrates the healing power of nature.
- Nature not only inspires poets but offers solace in solitude and creativity.
Common Experience:
- Representation of everyday incidents in poetry, emphasizing authenticity and relatability.
Vivid Sensations:
- Emphasis on capturing intense emotions and experiences in the moment.
Emotional Reflection:
- Importance of recollecting emotions in tranquility to create poetry that resonates with readers.

Defined poetry as the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings, refined by contemplation.
Real Language:
- Advocacy for using simple, genuine language reflective of common speech, contrasting it with the complex diction of neoclassical poets.
Moral Purpose:
- Belief that good poetry should have a moral or ethical component, providing insight and universal relationships.

Emotional and Sensory Impact:
- Each poem should evoke a deep emotional response and resonate with readers, not merely create sensory pleasure.
Character of the Poet:
- The poet should possess heightened sensibility and deep understanding of human nature.
Universal Appeal:
- Aim for poetry that connects with a wide audience through relatable themes and feelings, maintaining aesthetic quality.

Established a new paradigm for poetry that influenced future generations.
Their approach led to a broader understanding of poetry as a profession and the importance of the poet's individual experience in shaping the poetic voice.
Contribution to the notion of the ‘Romantic Hero’ and passion in literature.

Wordsworth’s ideas paved the way for interpretations and engagements with literature that focus on emotion and the human experience, influencing other disciplines like psychology and sociology in the analysis of texts.

The Romantic movement and the Lyrical Ballads represent a transformative period in literature, emphasizing emotional depth, nature, and the genuine expression of human experience.