Preface To The Lyrical Ballads Analysis

Preface to the Lyrical Ballads by William Wordsworth, is an essay as a prologue before a collection of poems in which Wordsworth stated his theory of poetic diction, seeking to undermine the current status quo of what poetry was suppose to look like during the 18th century. Wordsworth wanted to use the real language of men, and thought the current language that poets had been using was pretentious. He wanted to bring poetry to the common man, using their language, words, and not the tactful figurative language that these current poets were using. He referred to the common man 's language as an actual way of speaking, since no one uses metaphors when they actually talk. Wordsworth referred to the common man 's way of speaking as "truth", and

What is a Poet? to whom does he address himself? and what language is to be expected from him?". Wordsworth then answers himself by stating a that a poet is a man with a comprehensive soul and a greater knowledge of human nature. The poet with his own "passions and volitions", is speaking to other men to create a metaphorical relationship between himself and human nature. When the speaker of Tintern Abbey reflects that five years have passed since his last visit at this place, and realizes how much this place meant to him, as he revels in

As Wordsworth states in the Lyrical Ballads, "for all good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings", and it takes origin from "emotion recollected in tranquility". Then the emotion is contemplated by a "species of reactions", and then is disappears. The mood composition starts off in a mood similar to what it carries on throughout the entirety of the poem. The emotion of the poet however is qualified by "various pleasures" and is to be in a state of enjoyment. In a state of excitement, the writer is ready to express their thoughts and feelings well. In spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings, powerful feelings and emotions are fundamental. Without feelings and emotions, poetry cannot be written. Wordsworth find that poetry is mood and inspiration. The source of poetry is the feelings iof the heart. Poetry evokes the feelings of the