Thinking Activity : Wordsworth's preface

 William Wordsworth

Died: 23 April 1850

Born: 7 April 1770

"Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility."

                     William Wordsworth was famous for "Lyrical Ballads" during the 17th century. " Lyrical     Ballads" was a combination of creative and different poems by William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge. We can see in that collection When Wordsworth and Coleridge wrote "Lyrical Ballads" that time started a french revolution. So, mostly they have reflected the influence of the french revolution, here we don't discuss the french revolution but some points of view about the poem, poet, poetic diction for example.

1) What is the basic difference between the poetic creed of 'Classicism' and 'Romanticism'?

Classicism uses strict, rigid, and logical diction and theme. 

Romanticism uses simple diction of common men from their everyday life. Classicism was based on the idea that nature and human nature could be understood by reason and thought.

• Imagination and Intellectual:-

                        Classical poets have thought power but they don't believe in imagination. They live in reality and also written current condition. They all are given important intellectualism rather than imagination. But poets of romantics always supported imagination. They try to give new things and themes of that time's society through imagination.

whereas Romantic poets are free to express themselves in a free manner. They don't follow the classical manner of writing.

2) Why does Wordsworth say 'What' is a poet? rather than Who is a poet?

                        According to Wordsworth, he wants to write poems and also lyrical ballads in the language really used by man. According to Coleridge he also asked questions on poetic diction like as What do you actually mean by language really used by man? What reality? Which man?...etc. Wordsworth answered those questions like He finds humble and rustic life to be with emotions. He seldom says that a poet was comprehensive, a better human being.

3) What is poetic diction? Which sort of poetic diction is suggested by Wordsworth in his Preface?

                    Wordsworth also gives attention to what is the poet? rather than who is a poet? because he thinks that art and the role of the poet. He is endowed with more lively sensibility, enthusiasm, tenderness, he has greater knowledge of human nature. Poet also tries to create things that did not exist. The poet was who rejoices more than other men in the spirit of life.