Preface to Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth
Uploaded by breeze_whisper on Dec 14, 2001
Preface to Lyrical Ballads is written to express the new style, which is used by many poets, such as Wordsworth. This style will be known as the romantic style after centuries. Wordsworth explains "what is poetry? What kind of language should be used in it? What kind of setting? And who is a poet?". I agree with him in some points of his argument, and I will discuss one point of his embodying analyses which will determine my status of approval or disapproval with his argument.
Since Wordsworth emphasises that language used in poetry should be simple, I will discuss his point further with my own opinion on the subject. I agree with Wordsworth that language should be simple, since he wants it to be for all people. However, using such a simple language can make poetry very ordinary and not distinguished from other forms of writings. Not to mention that we broad our vocabulary by reading; it is as though he is depriving the reader of gaining more knowledge.
Wordsworth emphasises that language, used in poetry, should be rustic and used by common people. He thinks that their language comes straight from their hearts covered with no deceit or hypocrisy. Rustic language of those sojurners ,who live at the rural side of the country, have no vanity. Simple language can be philosophical, since it is carried from personal experience and inner feelings: "because in that condition of life our elementary feelings co-exist in a state of greater simplicity, and, consequently, may be more accurately contemplated and more forcibly communicated;…" .
In conclusion, Wordsworth's statement of what language a poet should use is a very good convincing case. I do agree with him, however, I behold some of my agreement for the reasons I stated earlier.