Wordsworth's Preface to Lyrical Ballads

Q1- Basic differences between the Poetic Creed of Classicism and Romanticism.

The Classicism and Romanticism are two ideologies used in the literary work. It is sometimes called as school of thoughts, technique of writing. But it is more than just a manner, ideology or school of thoughts. Both Classicism and Romanticism gives us an idea about the dominance of certain things. The points which differenciated Classicism and Romanticism are given below:-

1- Intellect and Imagination
In Classicism Intellect was consider as a ruling guiding principle whereas in Romanticism Imagination is the guiding principle rather than intellect.
eg, Pope and Dryden uses intellect in writing their work of art whereas Wordsworth, Keats, Shelley uses  imagination in their work of art.

2- Restraints and Liberty
In Classicism Restraints was the ruling word, on the other hand in Romanticism there is no restraints, the writers believes in liberty, there is free play of imagination, poet is free to express his feelings and thoughts in a work of art.

3- Classical and Medieval
In Classicism the writers relied on Classical writers like Aristotle, Plato, Socrates whereas in Romanticism the writers relied on the writer of the Medieval period.

4- Urban and Rustic life
The Classical writers represent the Urban and city life in their work of art, whereas in Romanticism the writers and poets like Wordsworth represent the humble and rustic life of the people in their work of art. The rustic life attracts them more rather than the city dwellers. they sing the glory of rural life.

5- Objectivity and Subjectivity
Classicism believes in Objectivity and Romanticism believes in Subjectivity. Eg. The line from Wordsworth's Daffodills  "Spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings", the first two words spontaneous overflow represents subjectivity.

Q2- Why does Wordsworth say 'what is poet' rather than 'who is poet'?

In Wordsworth's preface 'A poet is a man speaking to men'. A poet inherent a talent which is absent in general people. A poet is differs from others in terms of degrees, he endowed with more lively sensibility, enthusiasm, tenderness. He has greater knowledge of human nature. Wordsworth gives more platonic definition of poet when he uses the phrase " more comprehensive soul". He says that a poet is more comprehensive, a better human being. So to describe the characteristics of the poet Wordsworth says about 'what is poet' rather than 'who is poet'.

Q3- What is poetic diction? which sort of poetic diction suggested by Wordsworth in his Preface?

In general poetic diction means 'choice of words'. that how a particular poet chooses word and place it at different place to bring more effective meaning to his work of art. Wordsworth says that he is not satisfied with the current writers who chooses the more complex words in their diction. He says that the writers or poets uses highly unnecessary ornamental language which is only related to the city dwellers, city life, all education institution in the city. it means in Preface Wordsworth is attacking on the city life. Wordsworth was interested in writing the diction in the language of common people, means the language really used by the real man. In this statement of Wordsworth all critic raised their arguments that what Wordsworth mean by real man, is the city dwellers are not real, they gives example also about Wordsworth's poem Micahel in which there is a farmer of the age of 80, more lively or hearty, in this way even Wordsworth talking about exclusive man not real man.

Q4- What is Poetry?

According to Wordsworth " Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings; it takes its origin from emotions recollected in tranquility." Wordsworth is the only poet who takes this definition of poetry after Dryden in his Preface.

Q5- Discuss Daffodils- "I wandered lonely as a cloud" with reference to Wordsworth's poetic creed?

Daffodils is the most famous example of Wordsworth's definition of poetry. The poem has four stanzas. The first three stanzas are written in past tense " I wandered as a cloud.....", but the final stanza of the poem is written in present tense " For oft, when on my couch I lie......" The poet reclining on a couch , when he goes to a nature walk he must seen the stretch of Daffodils, which he recollects when he is in a vacant mood.  In this way the definition of poetry we find appropriate in Daffodils by Wordsworth.