The Preface to Lyrical Ballads By William Wordsworth Razza Andrea 5th C
The Preface to Lyrical Ballads It is considered the manifesto of English Romantic poetry. It describes its aims and features.
The Preface to Lyrical Ballads The preface refers about in four main cardinal points: The content of Romantic poetry. The language to be used. The Romantic poet The features of Romantic poetry.
situations and incidents taken from low and rustic life. The content Romantic poems should deal with situations and incidents taken from low and rustic life. They should be described in an unusual way to make them interesting and exciting for the reader.
The language The language should be the one “really used by men” BECAUSE It is the best to express simple feelings and passions It is the basic one from where all words originate It is also used for its sameness and directness.
To whom does he address himself? Who is the poet? To whom does he address himself? He is a man speaking to men. He is more sensitive and passionated than other men. He has a greater knowledge of human nature than common men He can contemplate his passions and desires and rejoice about them. He can create emotions even where others cannot find any.
The creative process Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings The poet writes his poems after he has contemplated a strong emotion he has felt in a previous time. The creative process needs a situation of tranquillity and can take place only thanks to the fertile contribution of imagination.