Romanticism was a literary and artistic movement that began at the end of the 18th century and according to René Wellek, English poets of the time were part of a coherent group, with the same view of poetry and mind. By discussing Wordsworth's poem I Wondered Lonely as a Cloud and Charlotte Smith's Written at the Close of Spring, this essays demonstrates how in fact two great poets of the Romantic period had different points of view regarding nature as a main theme, their personal mindsets and their poetic style.
In his poem I Wondered Lonely as a Cloud, William Wordsworth writes about a walk he took with his sister in the area of the Lake District, close to where he was born and place that strongly influenced his love for nature. Here …show more content…
Nature is not seen as an external reality to mankind, but as something man is intrinsically part of. Our best emotions are inspired by Nature, which allows us to discover our spiritual and moral values. Wordsworth observes Nature knowing that the present moment, set in his verses, will be remembered in the future. “In Wordsworth we have come to see nature's counter thrust as an instrument of nurturance by which the mind comes to know itself, its mortal weaknesses, and its transcendental aspirations.” (Romanticism, 75).
Charlotte Smith, on the other hand, emphasises the beauty of nature, pointing out though that that beauty will rebirth with each coming spring. “The entire collection of Elegiac Sonnets reflects her sadness: the beauty of the flowers closely observed gives way to her loss of happiness and the certainty of no second spring.” (Selected Poems, 67). Because of this, Smith's poem Sonnet Written at the Close of Spring, has a mournful undertone and a tinge of jealousy to it, unlike the sonnets written before Romanticism, which were mostly cheerful and light.
“No more shall violets linger in the …show more content…
Whereas Wordsworth considers nature as an emotional inspiration with a fundamental link with mankind, Smith observes the dark side to nature. Smith regards nature repeatedly reviving in contrast with humanity that will not get a second chance. The writing styles of the two poets are also very different. Smith tends to use a specific form of sonnet, Shakespearean-English, and a specific rhyme scheme, whereas Wordsworth tends to not have a favoured rhyming style or pattern for his poems, except for the use of the title as his first verse in many of his
In his poem I Wondered Lonely as a Cloud, William Wordsworth writes about a walk he took with his sister in the area of the Lake District, close to where he was born and place that strongly influenced his love for nature. Here …show more content…
Nature is not seen as an external reality to mankind, but as something man is intrinsically part of. Our best emotions are inspired by Nature, which allows us to discover our spiritual and moral values. Wordsworth observes Nature knowing that the present moment, set in his verses, will be remembered in the future. “In Wordsworth we have come to see nature's counter thrust as an instrument of nurturance by which the mind comes to know itself, its mortal weaknesses, and its transcendental aspirations.” (Romanticism, 75).
Charlotte Smith, on the other hand, emphasises the beauty of nature, pointing out though that that beauty will rebirth with each coming spring. “The entire collection of Elegiac Sonnets reflects her sadness: the beauty of the flowers closely observed gives way to her loss of happiness and the certainty of no second spring.” (Selected Poems, 67). Because of this, Smith's poem Sonnet Written at the Close of Spring, has a mournful undertone and a tinge of jealousy to it, unlike the sonnets written before Romanticism, which were mostly cheerful and light.
“No more shall violets linger in the …show more content…
Whereas Wordsworth considers nature as an emotional inspiration with a fundamental link with mankind, Smith observes the dark side to nature. Smith regards nature repeatedly reviving in contrast with humanity that will not get a second chance. The writing styles of the two poets are also very different. Smith tends to use a specific form of sonnet, Shakespearean-English, and a specific rhyme scheme, whereas Wordsworth tends to not have a favoured rhyming style or pattern for his poems, except for the use of the title as his first verse in many of his