Wordsworth, William, English poet: biography, creativity

William Wordsworth, biography and works which are the subject of this review, was the largest representative of romanticism in English literature. His work largely determined the transition from classicism to romanticism. His landscape and philosophical lyrics is the best example of the world's poetic heritage.

General characteristics

William Wordsworth, was a bright representative of his time, his works should be considered in the context of the era. In the 18th century the dominant trend in English literature was classicism. However, by the end of the century there has been a trend toward sentimental and romantic lyrics. This is largely determined by the prevailing trends of the era, namely that of great importance in sociopolitical thought and in literature in General, played the works of Rousseau. It promoted the cult of nature and the depiction of human feelings, emotions, personality psychology had a great influence on the educated circles of the time. In addition, English literature already had the experience of creating sonnets images of nature and fine lyrics. The works of William Shakespeare., Chaucer, Milton D. had a great influence on the work of the poet.

Childhood, adolescence and the journey

William Wordsworth was born in 1770 in Cumberland County. He was the son of the agent to manage the property. The boy was sent to school in North Lancashire, where he received a good education: he had studied ancient and English literature, mathematics. But of greater importance was the fact that the child grow up in nature, which had on the formation of personality has a huge influence. It was then that he fell in love with the landscapes that later became mainly in his lyrical works. Then William Wordsworth went to Cambridge University, which was dominated by the atmosphere of rivalry, which is not pleased to him.

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However, as a student, there was a very significant event: on vacation young man along with his friend went on a journey on foot to France, where there were just a revolutionary upheaval. They made a big impression on the future poet. Together with his companion he reached the lake district in Italy. This journey was of great importance for his work: under the impression of it William Wordsworth wrote his first significant work (“Walk”). It has already delineated the basic creative principles of poetry author: mix description of the nature and philosophical reasoning. You can say that this poem has become one of the most important of his works. He a lot worked on it and later, Mature years, altering the ferrying and inserting a new part.

Transition period

William Wordsworth, after graduation, devoted himself to poetry. However, the 1790-ies was for him a difficult time because it was a period of disappointment in the French revolution. In addition, it is very painful perceived by the fact that his country started the war against France. All these experiences led to depression, so his lyrics of this period are painted in dark tones. But, fortunately, it lasted long, because very soon William Wordsworth whose poems still differed melancholy and sadness, met with Kolridzhem, who was also a poet. This acquaintance just over a year grew into a strong friendship, which was very fruitful for the value of their cooperation, first and foremost for creative recovery of the author.

“Great decade”

So called the period from 1797 to 1808, in the biography of the poet. William Wordsworth, whose works now have a completely different sound, has entered a period of creative enthusiasm. Friends decided to take a trip to Germany and before dispatch decided to release a collection of poetic works that had to demonstrate their views on contemporary literature. Coleridge was to write ballads in exotic style, while his friend – sentimental and romantic lyrics. However, the first included a collection of just five works, the rest belonged to his collaborator. The reason should be sought in the fact that Coleridge took to writing ballads in a traditional English spirit, i.e., the complex plots and serious style. While the poems in English his friend was easy and simple. His characters spoke clear and easy to understand speech, which was a fundamental innovation for the time.

Creative principles

This collection is also interesting that the second edition in the Preface, Wordsworth's introduction, which outlined the rules that had guided me when writing poems. He said that his lyrical ballads based on the stories and reality that he perceived and described the way it was presented to him. And life, nature and life was seen by the poet as a natural manifestation of the universe. Wordsworth said that the need to perceive and portray reality simple, clear and conversationallanguage. He believed that no need to complicate anything when creating literary works, because the laws of nature are natural, they need to perceive directly, without much philosophizing. In this setting to discern the influence of the ideas of Rousseau, who also glorified the life of man and nature and emphasized the artificiality of city life.

Main characters

Poems in English Wordsworth differ in a straightforward composition, but their characteristic feature is a combination of nature images, and emotional experiences with deep philosophical arguments. This was new to English literature of the time. In addition, the author made the hero of his works of the common man: in the pages of his poems meet vagrants, Wanderers, beggars, itinerant traders. This type of character was news to English literature, and not all immediately appreciated the discovery of the poet. For some time, literary critics have even criticized him for such innovation.

Yet Another characteristic of the way in his poetry – people affected by social injustice. Wordsworth very sharply condemned the war and wrote the drama “the inhabitants of the frontier” in which he depicted the horrors of victims and violence. Finally, a large place in his creative legacy is his image of himself. The poet wrote his autobiography in poetic form called "Prelude". She has a precise picture of human psychology and emotional experiences of the character who carefully analyzed the path of his creative development as a poet. The image of the author is important for understanding of creativity of the poet in General.

Other works

One of the best examples of lyricism of the author include poems about nature and the emotional experiences of the person. He is especially respectful of nature image. William Wordsworth, “Narcissists” which are one of the best examples of his lyrical poetry, gorgeous and well felt the beauty of the world. In the poem, he praised the beauty of flowers, mountains in the very sonorous, melodious form. This essay is remarkable for melodiousness and depth.

Another of his famous works is “On Westminster bridge”. William Wordsworth recreated the London skyline, however, drew attention not so much on the urban landscape, how many natural phenomena. In General, the city itself is almost not present in the works of the poet. He belongs entirely to the village, the village and nature.

Late period

The Last two decades of the poet's life was marked by a gradual extinction of his poetic inspiration. In literary criticism, to distinguish between “early” and “late” of Wordsworth. And if the first phase of his work was marked by a clear and harmonious vision of, the late period is characterized by heavy mood. This is largely due to personal losses the author: he is very grieved at the death of his beloved sister, with whom he lived all his life, and also the demise of his two children. In addition, he lost his brother, who drowned during one of the flights, as well as his friend Kolega. However, at this time he created a series of beautiful sonnets and elegiac works that are imbued with sadness, grief and longing. These later works have a greater philosophical burden than the early works, which dominated the joyful admiration for the beauties of nature. The poet died in 1850 in the same County, where he was born.

Meaning of creativity

The Poetry of Wordsworth, was a landmark step in the formation of English romanticism. In modern literature it along with Kolridzhem belong to the older generation of romantics. Indicative of the fact that the poetry of the author are not immediately recognized. Only in the 1830-ies of his services to literature were rewarded. The audience was sympathetic to his writings, and the Queen granted him the title of poet laureate. He was known in Russia. So, Pushkin in his famous "Sonnet" mentioned the name of the English poet as a prominent author.