The Preface to Lyrical Ballads

1. The Preface to Lyrical Ballads By William Wordsworth Riccardo Biffi 5C

2. The Preface to Lyrical Ballads • It is considered the manifesto of English Romantic poetry. • It describes its features and its purposes. Riccardo Biffi 5C

3. The Preface to Lyrical Ballads The preface can be splitted in four main parts: The content. The language. The poet. The poetry. Riccardo Biffi 5C

4. The Content Romantic poems should deal with “situations and incidents taken from low and rustic life”. But they should describe daily life in an unusual way in order to make them more interesting and thrilling for who read. Riccardo Biffi 5C

5. The Language The language should be the one “really used by men”. The reasons are: • It is the best way to express and to convey feelings. • It is the origin of all words. • It is used for its simplicity and its honestly. Riccardo Biffi 5C

6. The Poet “He is a man speaking to men”, and he can make poetrysince: • He is more sensitive than other men. • He has a deeper knowledge of human nature. • He is aware of his passions and rejoices when thinking to them. • He can generate emotions where others cannot find any. Riccardo Biffi 5C

7. The Poetry “Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings”. The poet writes poems after reliving a striking emotion through a memory. The creative process needs tranquillity and peace. The poet has to be alone. Imagination plays a fondamental role as source of inspiration. The ultimate goal is pleasure. Riccardo Biffi 5C