Preface to Lyrical Ballads

Definition

The Preface to Lyrical Ballads is an influential essay written by William Wordsworth that outlines his poetic principles and serves as a manifesto for the Romantic movement. It argues for the use of ordinary language in poetry, the importance of nature, and the value of emotion and individual experience over classical forms and conventions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Preface was originally published in 1800 as an introduction to the collection Lyrical Ballads, co-authored with Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
2. Wordsworth believed that poetry should be written in the language of everyday people, making it more accessible and relatable.
3. The Preface outlines Wordsworth's belief that poetry should evoke genuine feelings and emotions rather than adhere to strict forms or rules.
4. In the Preface, Wordsworth defines poetry as 'the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings,' highlighting the importance of personal experience.
5. The second edition of Lyrical Ballads in 1800 included a revised version of the Preface, which further expanded on Wordsworth's theories of poetry.

Review Questions

• How does Wordsworth's Preface challenge traditional views on poetic language and its accessibility?
  • Wordsworth's Preface challenges traditional views by advocating for the use of ordinary language in poetry instead of the elevated diction commonly found in classical works. He believed that poetry should reflect the speech of everyday people, making it more accessible and relatable. This approach was revolutionary as it shifted the focus from formality to authenticity, allowing emotions and experiences to resonate with a wider audience.
• Discuss how the themes presented in the Preface to Lyrical Ballads reflect the core values of Romanticism.
  • The themes in the Preface directly reflect core Romantic values by emphasizing emotion, nature, and individual experience. Wordsworth's insistence on expressing genuine feelings resonates with Romanticism's focus on personal emotion over rationality. Additionally, his celebration of nature as a source of inspiration aligns with the Romantic ideal of finding beauty and solace in the natural world. This essay laid the groundwork for future Romantic poets by promoting these key themes.
• Evaluate how the Preface to Lyrical Ballads has influenced modern poetry and literary movements beyond Romanticism.
  • The Preface to Lyrical Ballads has had a lasting influence on modern poetry and literary movements by promoting ideas that prioritize personal experience, emotion, and everyday language. This shift opened doors for various literary styles, including free verse and confessional poetry, which emphasize authenticity and self-expression. The movement towards democratizing language in poetry can be traced back to Wordsworth’s principles, making his Preface a foundational text that continues to inspire poets across genres.

Related terms

Romanticism: An artistic and intellectual movement that emphasized emotion, nature, and individualism, emerging as a response to the Industrial Revolution and the Enlightenment.

Poetic Diction: The choice of words and style of expression used in poetry, which Wordsworth sought to simplify by advocating for the use of common language.

Nature Poetry: A genre of poetry that emphasizes the beauty and power of the natural world, often reflecting on the relationship between humans and nature.