The Human Heart in Verse: Wordsworth’s Poetic Philosophy


This Blog is a part of Bridge Course on William Wordsworth's Preface to Lyrical Ballads assigned by Dr. and Prof. Dilip Barad where we have been provided with some videos for evaluating the text and here I will showcase what I have gained from this work and will answer a few questions.

William Wordsworth's "Preface to Lyrical Ballads," first published as an advertisement in 1798 and later revised into a full preface in 1802, stands as a manifesto for Romantic poetry. It marked a significant departure from the prevailing neoclassical style, ushering in a new era of literary thought and practice. This series of discussions sheds light on Wordsworth's groundbreaking views on poetry, the poet, and poetic diction.

To refer the videos Click here- Prof. Dilip Barad Blog

The Great Divide: Classicism vs. Romanticism



One of the core themes explored is the fundamental difference between Classicism (specifically Neoclassicism) and Romanticism.

• Intellect vs. Imagination: Neoclassicism, prevalent in the later 18th century, considered intellect the ruling principle, as seen in the works of Pope and Dryden. Romanticism, championed by poets like Wordsworth, Keats, and Shelley, shifted this focus to imagination, emphasizing "flights of fancy" and highly imaginative poetry.

• Restraint vs. Liberty: Neoclassical poets believed in restraint, while Romantics embraced freedom and the "free play of emotion and passions". They believed poets should be free to express themselves as they wished.

• Sources of Inspiration: Classical masters like Aristotle and Plato were the "biblical" figures for neoclassicists. Romantics, however, turned to medieval poets and writers for inspiration, reflecting a shift towards medievalism.

• Subject Matter: Neoclassical literature, such as plays by Congreve and poetry by Pope and Dryden, often depicted city or urban life. Romantic poets like Wordsworth and Coleridge were drawn to rustic life and the countryside, singing the glory of rural people.

• Objectivity vs. Subjectivity: Classical poets aimed for objectivity. Romantic poetry, in contrast, is inherently subjective, as exemplified by Wordsworth's definition of poetry.


Wordsworth's Poetic Creed: "Spontaneous Overflow" and "Daffodils"



Wordsworth's famous definition of poetry is a cornerstone of Romantic thought: "Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings and takes its origin from emotion recollected in Tranquility". This definition emphasizes an inward, subjective experience.

The poem "Daffodils" serves as a perfect illustration of this definition. The first three stanzas describe a past experience, where the poet "wandered lonely as a cloud" and "saw I at a glance" 10,000 daffodils. The final stanza, however, shifts to the present: "For oft, when on my couch I lie in vacant or in pensive mood, they flash upon that inward eye". This depicts the poet, often in a city environment and feeling vacant or pensive, recollecting his experience in nature. The act of recollection in tranquility eventually leads to a resurgence of the original emotion, as his "heart with pleasure fills, and dances with the daffodils". The poem's shift in tense beautifully tracks this process of recollection, the vanishing of tranquility, and the re-entry of spontaneous happiness.


The Poet: A Man Speaking to Men

Wordsworth asked "what is a poet?" rather than "who is a poet," emphasizing the essence of the role. He famously stated that a poet is "a man speaking to men". While Romantics valued inherent talent, poets are not from "any other planet" but are human.

Poets differ from ordinary human beings in degree, possessing:

• A more lively sensibility

• More enthusiasm and tenderness

• A greater knowledge of human nature

• A more comprehensive soul

• A greater rejoicing "in the spirit of life"

• The ability to create "volitions, passions, situations where they themselves do not exist" – a nod to the imaginative power.

The Controversial Choice: Poetic Diction



Wordsworth's views on poetic diction were particularly controversial. He saw the neoclassical mode of writing as "inane," "unnecessarily ornamental," and "erudite," primarily appealing to city dwellers. He sought to write poems in the "language as really used by men".

He argued that humble and rustic life offered emotions that were "more genuine" and closer to reality than the artificiality he perceived in city life. However, his friend and collaborator, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, critiqued this in Biographia Literaria, questioning which "real men" Wordsworth referred to and pointing out that Wordsworth himself didn't always strictly adhere to this diction. Coleridge cited Wordsworth's poem "Michael," noting that Michael, an 80-year-old hale and hearty farmer, was an exceptional figure, not an ordinary one, making Wordsworth's choice of both subject and language less universally "real" than he claimed.

A New Era: The Impact of Wordsworth's Preface

The "Preface to Lyrical Ballads" emerged during a period of immense social and political change, heavily influenced by the French Revolution. This revolution propelled ideas of individual free will, equality, and the democratization of society, giving prominence to the common man.

Wordsworth's preface was thus a crucial document announcing the advent of a new kind of poetry that aligned with these emerging ideals. By outlining his concepts of poetic composition, the subject matter (rustic life), and the language of poetry (not different from common men's language), Wordsworth essentially became the "first critic of his poetry," using the preface to introduce and justify his revolutionary ideas. Though some observed a contradiction between his theory and practice, the preface remains an organically unified articulation of his poetic vision.

These are the topics of my selection-

1) Why does Wordsworth ask "What is a poet?



  • Wordsworth deliberately asks “What is a poet?” rather than “Who is a poet?” because his concern is not with identifying individual poets, but with defining the essential nature and function of poetry itself. By asking what, he moves beyond biographical or personal qualities and instead emphasizes the universal qualities that make someone a poet.
  • In his Preface to Lyrical Ballads (1802), Wordsworth explains that a poet is not merely a person who writes verses, but one who possesses heightened sensibility, deep feelings, and the ability to communicate those emotions in a language that resonates with common humanity. The question “What is a poet?” allows him to frame poetry as an art grounded in emotional truth, imagination, and moral insight, rather than in the status or identity of the individual writer.
  • Thus, Wordsworth’s phrasing reflects his Romantic belief that poetry is not about who holds the title of poet, but about what qualities—imagination, sympathy, and emotional depth—enable a person to embody the role of a true poet.
2) What is poetic diction, and what type of poetic diction does Wordsworth suggest in his lyrical ballads?

  • Poetic diction refers to the style of language, vocabulary, and expressions traditionally used in poetry. In earlier centuries, especially in the Neoclassical period, poets often employed an elevated and artificial style full of ornate phrases, classical references, and refined words that were far removed from the language of everyday life. This “poetic diction” created a separation between poetry and ordinary speech.
  • Wordsworth, however, challenged this convention in his Preface to Lyrical Ballads (1800, 1802). He argued that poetry should be written in the “language really used by men”—the simple, natural, and familiar speech of common people. For him, true poetry arises from genuine feelings, not from ornamental or artificial expression. He believed that the rustic life and the language of humble rural folk were closest to nature and, therefore, capable of expressing universal human emotions in their purest form.
  • Thus, Wordsworth suggests a revolutionary kind of poetic diction—plain, sincere, and conversational, yet elevated by the poet’s imagination. He avoids pompous words, decorative metaphors, or exaggerated figures of speech, aiming instead to make poetry accessible and emotionally powerful.

In short, Wordsworth’s poetic diction in Lyrical Ballads is defined by:

  • Simplicity of language (close to everyday speech).
  • Focus on common people and rustic life.
  • Emphasis on genuine emotion over ornamentation.
  • Elevation of ordinary experiences into poetic truth.
3) How does Wordsworth define poetry? Discuss this definition in relation to his poetic philosophy.

  • Wordsworth offers one of the most famous definitions of poetry in the Preface to Lyrical Ballads (1802). He defines poetry as:
  • “The spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.”

This definition captures the essence of his Romantic philosophy. Let’s break it down:

“Spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings”

For Wordsworth, poetry is not crafted through rigid rules or artificial techniques. Instead, it arises naturally from the depth of human emotions—joy, sorrow, wonder, love, or fear. This emphasis on feeling reflects the Romantic belief that poetry should come from the heart, not merely from intellectual exercise.

“Origin from emotion recollected in tranquility”

Although poetry is born out of strong emotions, it is not written in moments of chaos or passion. Rather, the poet reflects on those emotions later, in a state of calm and contemplation. This process allows the poet to shape raw feeling into meaningful expression, balancing passion with thought.

Relation to his poetic philosophy-

  • Wordsworth’s definition aligns with his larger poetic philosophy, where poetry should be rooted in nature, common life, and genuine human experience. By using the simple language of ordinary people, he believed the poet could capture universal truths about human emotion.
  • His focus on “powerful feelings” also reflects his belief that poetry is not just about form or beauty, but about the communication of deep emotional truths that connect individuals to one another and to nature.
  • In this way, poetry becomes not only an art form but also a moral and spiritual force, capable of nurturing empathy and shaping human understanding.
  • In short, Wordsworth’s definition of poetry embodies the Romantic spirit: poetry is sincere, emotional, reflective, and deeply connected to nature and humanity.
4) Wordsworth claims that “A poet has a greater knowledge of human nature, and a more comprehensive soul, than one supposed to be common among mankind.” Discuss this with reference to your reading of Wordsworth’s views in the Lyrical Ballads.

  • In the Preface to Lyrical Ballads (1802), Wordsworth claims that “A poet has a greater knowledge of human nature, and a more comprehensive soul, than one supposed to be common among mankind.” This statement reflects his Romantic belief that the poet is not just a writer of verses but a visionary endowed with heightened perception, sensibility, and imagination.
  • For Wordsworth, the poet’s superiority does not lie in social status or scholarly learning, but in the depth of emotional awareness and the ability to sympathize with the joys and sorrows of others. The poet feels more intensely than ordinary people and can communicate these feelings in a way that resonates universally. In his view, the poet is “a man speaking to men,” but with an exceptional capacity to perceive the beauty of nature, the dignity of common life, and the inner workings of the human heart.

This claim ties directly to Wordsworth’s larger philosophy in Lyrical Ballads:

  • He rejects artificial poetic diction and instead chooses the language of ordinary people, showing that profound truths can be expressed through simple words.
  • He turns to rustic life because it reveals the essential passions of the human heart in their purest form.
  • By transforming humble experiences into poetry, the poet demonstrates a “more comprehensive soul,” capable of elevating the ordinary into the universal.
  • For example, in poems like “We Are Seven” and “The Solitary Reaper”, Wordsworth portrays simple rural figures, yet through the poet’s imagination, these ordinary lives embody deep truths about life, death, memory, and human resilience. This shows how the poet’s heightened sensibility gives voice to emotions that all humans share, but not all can articulate.
  • In essence, Wordsworth’s claim emphasizes that the poet is a moral and emotional guide—someone whose greater knowledge of human nature comes from intense feeling, deep reflection, and the power to translate individual experience into collective meaning. The poet’s “comprehensive soul” allows humanity to see itself more clearly through the mirror of poetry.



References-

The Project Gutenberg Book of Lyrical Ballads (1798), by Wordsworth and Coleridge. www.gutenberg.org/files/9622/9622-h/9622-h.htm.

“Romanticism and the Self-Conscious Poem.” Michael O’Neill - Oxford University Press, global.oup.com/academic/product/romanticism-and-the-self-conscious-poem-9780198122852.