Discuss the way in which Wordsworth and Heaney present nature and rural life in their poetry.
GCSE English coursework Assignment Pre 20th Century Poetry Discuss the way in which Wordsworth and Heaney present nature and rural life in their poetry. Born 1770, in Cockermouth, William Wordsworth spent his early life and many of his formative years attending a boys' school in Hawkshead, a village in the Lake District. As can be seen in his poetry, the years he spent living in these rural surroundings provided many of the valuable experiences Wordsworth had as he grew up. At the age of 17, Wordsworth moved south to study at Saint John's College, University of Cambridge. Later, in 1790, two years after the French Revolution had begun; he took a walking tour through France and Switzerland on vacation. France obviously captivated Wordsworth's attention, because a year later he made a return visit. This time he met a French woman, named Annette Vallon, with whom he had an illegitimate daughter. As rivalry and conflict between England and France continued to grow, Wordsworth made the decision to settle in Dorset with his sister, Dorothy. There he met fellow poet and future colleague, Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Three years on, Wordsworth and Dorothy moved again, this time to Somerset, which was closer to Coleridge. This resulted in the publication of 'Lyrical Ballads' in 1798, which was a joint collection by Coleridge and Wordsworth. A year later, William and Dorothy
William Wordsworth, known as one of the first generation of romantic poets lived from 1770-1850.
William Wordsworth, known as one of the first generation of romantic poets lived from 1770-1850. Apart from romantic poems Wordsworth covered sonnets and poems expressing the child-like features of natural and man-made landscape. Two of his most famous works that fit into this genre are 'The Daffodils', a poem looking at the beauty of nature and 'Composed Upon Westminster Bridge Sept. 3, 18' a petrachan sonnet looking at natures contrast-man-made beauty. He was influenced by all elements of the world, and also, closer relations like his sister, Dorothy Wordsworth. Many times Dorothy contributed to his masterpieces, recorded through Dorothy's diary, now known as the 'Grassmere Journals'. Another patron that helped Wordsworth along the way was Sir George Beaumont, a friend and comrade of Wordsworth who frequently shared thoughts in letters. Many of his pieces reflect the beauty of the world and Wordsworths' amazement at this. His ability to see the world through the wonder and freshness of a child allowed him to write some of the best and most unforgettable poems of our time. The poem 'The Daffodils' derived from a trip to Eusmere with his sister, Dorothy. On the journey they passed a field of daffodils, described by Dorothy as to be 'dancing' and in 'gayety'- recorded in the Grassmere Journals. This famous poem has been described as a 'beautiful expression of joy'. The
Comparison between ‘The Daffodils’ by William Wordsworth, and ‘Miracle on St.David’s Day’ by Gillian Clarke.
Comparison between 'The Daffodils' by William Wordsworth, and 'Miracle on St.David's Day' by Gillian Clarke. The Daffodils by William Wordsworth was written in the eighteenth century. Gillian Clarke wrote miracle on St.David's day in the twentieth century, 1980, making her a contemporary poet. The obvious comparison between the two poems is their involvement with daffodils, but there are many others. For instance they are both based on real, spectacular events, and vivid memories. They were both also written several years after the event took place. This is perhaps the first instance that the poet realised the incredible, lasting effect that the moment had inflicted on them, and that they could clearly recall the event such a long period of time after. However, as always when comparing two poems, there are clear differences, more in the structure of the poem than the content. There are still differences in the subject and setting, for instance, Miracle is set in an enclosed, cold setting, with the beauty on the outside rather than inside, whereas The Daffodils is something beautiful happening in setting surroundings. The structure of the poems has obvious differences, the most noticeable being length and rhyme. Miracle is more like a piece of prose than a poem, but is written in poem form. It is also a great deal longer and some stanzas are linked together to try and keep
R.S Thomas and William Wordsworth. Compare and Contrast the works of two poets who write on the theme of people and the landscape.
Compare and Contrast the works of two poets who write on the theme of people and the landscape Two poets who wrote about similar subjects were R.S Thomas and William Wordsworth. Their poems were often based on scenic areas and human beings. The difference between the two poets was they had an entirely different view of the certain topics. This enabled them to have different styles of writing. R.S Thomas was a welsh vicar born in Cardiff in 1913. He studied theology at the University College of north Wales. He then followed on to study at St. Michaels College, llandaff. After ordination in the church of Wales in 1827, he worked in rural parishes. Most of his work was set in Wales. William Wordsworth was educated at St. John's College, Cambridge University. He had a love of nature as a youth. He often visited places known for their scenic beauty. He was one of the first romantic British poets. R.S Thomas showed life in a sorrowful manner. He hardly used admirable language to explain life. He preferred using realistic poetry to show the meaning of life. His writing reflects his child hood. This relates to the imagery he gained from the farmers on the farm. His work was also emphasised based on the harsh life in Wales. Some think he fails to recognise the good in things. He wrote realistically rather than passionately. Thomas wrote in the 20th century. Wordsworth's
It has been said that Wordsworth's Lucy poems have more differences than similarities.
It has been said that Wordsworth's Lucy poems have more differences than similarities. "They were written chiefly with a view to ascertain how far the language of conversation in the middle and lower classes of society is adapted to the purposes of poetic pleasure." (William Wordsworth, Preface to The Lyrical Ballads). Unlike poets before him, who wrote poetry solely based upon classical subjects, Wordsworth wanted his poetry to imitate the actions and thoughts of people like himself. He also wrote poems containing personal subject matter, such as the group of poems known as the 'Lucy poems,' written in conjunction with Samual Coleridge. This made his work strangely revolutionary at the time. This and the simple language of these poems (The Lyrical Ballads, 1798) show Wordsworth being extremely daring with his wish to get them published. The Lyrical Ballads were simply nothing like anyone had ever read before. The poems were intended as a revolution, as explained by Wordsworth in the 'Preface to the Lyrical Ballads.' These poems are grouped together in 'The Lyrical Ballads,' for many different reasons. The form the poems have is very similar. Four of the poems are made up of a number of quatrains with a rhyming pattern of A-B-A-B. The fifth poem, Three years she grew, is less direct. It is made up of sextets with rhyming pattern A-A-B-C-C-B. These regular rhythms to the
Describe How a Poet trys to Portray a Vivid Sense of Place.
Describe How a Poet trys to Portray a Vivid Sense of Place. Poems are written about many different things like death, people, places and love with the poet always trying to give the reader a sense of what emotions the poet felt. For this assignment, I will try to discover how a poet portrays a vivid sense of place by comparing two poems, "Westminster Bridge", a sonnet and "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening". The first of the two was written by a poet named William Wordsworth in the 18th century. The latter was written by a poet named Robert Frost in the 20th century. The first poem "Westminster Bridge" is a sonnet and was written about the famous bridge which crosses the river Thames in London. In the octave of this sonnet Wordsworth sets the scene and in the sestet we learn more about his feelings towards the scene. Wordsworth begins the sonnet with the dramatic claim: Earth has not anything to show more fair This is an example of hyperbole, exaggeration for effect. Although an exaggeration, he goes on to back up this claim and by doing this we are able to imagine the place and see what he saw. At no point in the sonnet does Wordsworth describe the actual construction which is the bridge. Instead he writes more about, I think, the general atmosphere of the place and describes it as: A sight so touching in its majesty So, here, we wonder if the sight is the bridge
An analytical comparison between Philip Larkin's 'Here' and Wordsworth's 'Composed Upon Westminster Bridge'.
An analytical comparison between Philip Larkin's 'Here' and Wordsworth's 'Composed Upon Westminster Bridge' Several revolutions, wars, and monarchs greatly influenced a new appreciation for nature, country and simplicity in order to escape industrialisation. The structure, style, and imagery of Romanticism are prominent in Wordsworth's 'Composed Upon Westminster Bridge', while a hidden theme of nature peers through the descriptions. This theme of nature is similarly echoed in 'Here' where Larkin recreates the natural beauty he envisaged through verbal means and the sublime use of word choice and word placement emphatically conveys the vivid projection of urban life and of nature from his understanding. My own first impressions are that the poem 'Here' seems to involve a journey, a movement from one place to a different one. It is highly descriptive, overloaded with objects that are listed and that the final stanza contrasts in many aspects, with the previous three stanzas, in that the final stanza seems more contemplative and slightly more positive in tone. 'Composed Upon Westminster Bridge', which is a sonnet, shows Wordsworth relishing the elegance and beauty of London and its tranquility. What I interpreted from this is Wordsworth had a similar desire for tranquility and solitude as did Larkin. In Larkin's poem he is on a journey and so we can say he may be traveling on a
Comparison between ‘The Daffodils’ by William Wordsworth, and ‘Miracle on St.David’s Day’ by Gillian Clarke.
Comparison between 'The Daffodils' by William Wordsworth, and 'Miracle on St.David's Day' by Gillian Clarke. The Daffodils by William Wordsworth was written in the eighteenth century. Gillian Clarke wrote miracle on St.David's day in the twentieth century, 1980, making her a contemporary poet. The obvious comparison between the two poems is their involvement with daffodils, but there are many others. For instance they are both based on real, spectacular events, and vivid memories. They were both also written several years after the event took place. This is perhaps the first instance that the poet realised the incredible, lasting effect that the moment had inflicted on them, and that they could clearly recall the event such a long period of time after. However, as always when comparing two poems, there are clear differences, more in the structure of the poem than the content. There are still differences in the subject and setting, for instance, Miracle is set in an enclosed, cold setting, with the beauty on the outside rather than inside, whereas The Daffodils is something beautiful happening in setting surroundings. The structure of the poems has obvious differences, the most noticeable being length and rhyme. Miracle is more like a piece of prose than a poem, but is written in poem form. It is also a great deal longer and some stanzas are linked together to try and keep
How does Coleridge's Kubla Khan explain the process of creativity?
How does Coleridge's Kubla Khan explain the process of creativity? Coleridge's " Kubla Khan" is an extremely enchanting poem which is based around the 'stately pleasure dome' of the emperor, Kubla Khan. Although the poem is set around this pleasure dome, it can be noticed that the poem had profound depth to it. If one is able to understand the hidden symbols and meanings within the poem, it becomes clear that Coleridge's " Kubloa Khan" does not simply describe a pleasure dome, it is also a prolonged metaphore for the process of creativity. From the immediate start of the poem, the reader finds themselves subjected to interprete these hidden symbols. ' In Xanadu did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure dome decree; Where Alph, the sacred river ran' Although this passage seems straight forward, it contains the essential first three symbols of which the entire poem is based upon. ' Xanadu' symbolises the poet's mind, as Xanadu like the mind is the site where all the forecoming events take place. Kubla Khan actually exsisted in real life as the sole ruler of an Asian empire and had an extreme amount of power. This is why perhaps, Coleridge chose Kubla Khan to represent the poet, ( himself). This would not have been an extraordinary choice for Coleridge to make, as he belonged to a group of poets called the Romantics who believed that they could see things clearer and feel
Compare the works of William Wordsworth and R L Thomas showing whether or not their poems differ in themes and style.
Compare the works of William Wordsworth and R L Thomas showing whether or not their poems differ in themes and style The poems of William Wordsworth and R L Thomas are written on the same themes, people, and the landscape but in different styles. William Wordsworth is a romantic poet that writes about the splendour of the world in a positive way while R S Thomas writes about the hardship of the world and attacks modern life and technology. I will compare 'The Solitary Reaper' by William Wordsworth with R L Thomas' 'Tramp' as well as Wordsworth's 'On Westminster Bridge' with 'Cynddylan on a Tractor' by Thomas. 'The Solitary Reaper' is a 32 line, three-stanza poem about a lonely woman in the Scottish mountains. The style in which this poem has a slow and quiet rhythm reading style. He portrays this by describing the actions of what the narrator, in the first person, did. "I listened, motionless and still;" William Wordsworth also uses similes to create imagery of a woman singing and working on the Scottish Hebrides. He compares the woman voice to a Cuckoo bird: "A voice so thrilling ne'er was heard in spring-time from the Cuckoo-bird." Here, Wordsworth writes about the high quality as well as the pitch of the woman's vocal singing to the delightful sound of the spring season Cuckoo bird and so thinks highly of her singing ability. This poem is written in a very positive