Do you think that Wordsworth establishes a new poetic theory? What are the main features of his theory?
Yes, Wordsworth does establish a new poetic theory that changed the way people looked at poetry. He is one of the most important poets of the Romantic period, and his ideas marked a clear break from the old ways of writing poetry. Before Wordsworth, poets often used difficult language, wrote about kings and heroes, and followed strict rules. Wordsworth changed all this by focusing on simple language, common people, and real emotions. His theory of poetry is explained in the “Preface to Lyrical Ballads,” which he wrote with Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
1. Poetry Should Use Simple Language
Wordsworth believed that poetry should be written in the language of everyday people. He did not like the artificial and complex style used by earlier poets. He thought poetry should be easy to understand, just like regular speech. According to him, using simple words makes the poem feel more real and honest. For example, in his poem “We Are Seven,” he uses plain language to talk about a child’s view of life and death.
2. Poetry Should Deal with Common Life
Instead of writing about kings, battles, or high-class society, Wordsworth chose to write about ordinary people, especially those who live close to nature. He believed that people in rural areas had purer emotions and a better connection with nature. His poems often talk about farmers, shepherds, children, and lonely wanderers. He wanted poetry to reflect real life and real people.
3. Emphasis on Emotion and Feeling
One of the most famous parts of Wordsworth’s theory is his idea that poetry is “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.” He believed that poetry should come from deep emotions that the poet feels. These emotions may not be written immediately but are remembered and written in peace. This means the poet feels something strongly and later reflects on it to create a poem. The feelings are important, but so is the thoughtful process of shaping them into words.
4. Role of the Poet
Wordsworth also had a new idea about what a poet should be. He said that a poet is “a man speaking to men.” This means the poet is not someone above others but someone who shares feelings and experiences with everyone. The poet notices things more deeply and feels more strongly, but still writes in a way that everyone can relate to. The poet’s job is to show the beauty in everyday life.
5. Connection with Nature
Nature plays a big role in Wordsworth’s poetry and theory. He believed that being close to nature helps people become more sensitive, peaceful, and understanding. Nature is not just a background in his poems; it is almost like a teacher or a friend. Many of his poems, like “Tintern Abbey” or “Lines Written in Early Spring,” show how nature brings comfort and deep thoughts.
6. Poetry as a Moral Guide
Wordsworth also thought that poetry should make people better. It should teach kindness, love, and a respect for nature. He believed poetry could touch the heart and help people grow morally. Unlike poems that only entertain, his poems aimed to improve the reader’s mind and soul.
Conclusion
Wordsworth truly established a new poetic theory that was different from the classical rules of poetry. He made poetry more about real life, simple language, and deep emotion. His ideas helped to start the Romantic movement in English literature, which focused on individual feelings, imagination, and nature. Even today, his theory inspires poets to write from the heart, using words that everyone can understand.