Lyrical Ballads - Nature essay

Authors Avatar

What part does nature play in ‘Lyrical Ballads’?

Nature and the Romantics have a close, intertwining relationship. In the Preface to Lyrical Ballads, Wordsworth writes, “the passions of men are incorporated with the beautiful and permanent forms of nature”, that “the mind of man [acts as] the mirror of the fairest and most interesting qualities of nature” and this reflects his feelings on the subject; nature and men are tied together with a force that cannot be broken. Wordsworth argues, “Poetry is the image of man and nature”, this suggests that in his eyes a close relationship with nature is essential to writing poetry. Also Lyrical Ballads was written at a time of great Industrial change, when England was at war with France, nature was at risk at the hands of agricultural and industrial revolution. As the Romantics stressed upon the importance of nature, it is no surprise that Coleridge and Wordsworth drew greatly upon nature within Lyrical Ballads, as nature is used to reflect upon more philosophical ideas, such as the very existence of life.

Nature is shown to give pleasure to those who experience and are in constant harmony with it. In Lines written at small distance[…] ‘each minute [is] sweeter than before’ presenting an everlasting happiness and also shows the intensity with which Wordsworth appreciates nature, minute by minute. Wordsworth’s repetition in the use of ‘sweet’ when describing nature in most of his poems clearly illustrates the beauty and delights that nature seems to radiate. Also in Lines written in Early Spring The description of the birds hopping and playing through ‘thrill of pleasure’ presents this visual image of a joyful and energetic nature and by watching these birds Wordsworth says ‘That there was pleasure there.’ Giving the impression that nature seems to share its pleasure and joy with those that are in harmony with it, that experience it.

Join now!

Nature is also contrasted to human activity, it is seen as a representation of the freedom that society has lost through the demanding modern lifestyle. Wordsworth regards to the Gregorian calender as ‘[a] joyless form’  in Lines written at a small distance, it ‘regulates’ our lives, taking us away from nature and its joyful attributes.

There is also evidence within the poems to suggest the poets believe nature has the sufficient power to be a teacher. Wordsworth says in Tables Turned, to "let nature be your teacher" and in Tintern Abbey he makes it clear nature has been his ...

This is a preview of the whole essay