5/13/2023 0 Comments Preface of the lyrical ballads![]() ![]() In the final part of the essay, Wordsworth outlines the procedure whereby a poet may observe the world around them and compose poetry through deep reflection on their experiences. ![]() Wordsworth argues that poetry and prose should be close in style and that the aim of poetry should be to imitate nature and inspire emotion in the reader in a way that emphasizes pleasure. Thus, Wordsworth sets himself apart from classicist poets who addressed an elite audience in language that was tied to formal rules. ![]() Because poetry speaks of universal human emotions, it should use diction that is natural rather than artificial and self-consciously literary. He defines poetry as a “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings” (13) and the poet as “a man speaking to men” (8). Wordsworth explains his intention in his poems to express incidents from everyday life in everyday language and imbued with poetic sentiment. The “Preface” is often considered a manifesto of the Romantic movement in English literature. ![]()
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