PREFACE TO LYRICAL BALLADS William Wordsworth 1802

The Manifesto of Romanticism The “Preface to Lyrical ballads” is considered the manifesto of English and European Romanticism It expounds the poet’s intentions and aims He explaines the features of the new style of poetry – the poetry of nature William Wordsworth

Poetry Poetry is born out of “Emotions recollected in tranquillity” Poetry is the “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” Poetry’s ultimate goal is “pleasure”

Aims Poetry should: Take events, incidents and situations from common and rustic life Explain ordinary things in an unusual way Convey feelings and notions in simple and unelaborated expressions Present everyday things in an unusual aspect

The Language of Poetry The poet should: use a selection of language really used by men deprive everyday language of vulgarities and artificialities of any kind be familiar, plain and simple, like everyday speech

The poet He is a man speaking to men He is endued with a more lively sensibility, enthusiasm and tenderness than common men He has a greater knowledge of human nature He has a more comprehensive soul than other men He is driven to create passions where he does not find them