Topic > Romantic Views on Nature in Wordsworth's Poetry...

The Romantic movement of poets in the nineteenth century marked a movement from the earlier thinking of the poets and writers of the Enlightenment. Enlightenment writers saw nature as a prime example of scientific principles and as an orderly representation of the universe. In contrast, Romantic writers saw nature as representing God's power and presence in the living, natural universe, a source of both inspiration and emotion and resembling the most perfect state in which man could find himself. , also known as the Sublime. In my opinion, Romantic views on nature can be best demonstrated in the poetry of Wordsworth and Shelley. Wordsworth (1770-1850) was an English poet who wrote primarily lyric poetry, with a greater focus on human emotions. Wordsworth is said to have described his work as "the wild and explosive overflow of powerful feelings", coming from "emotions collected in peace". One of his best-known works is Lines Composed Few Miles Above Tinturn Abbey, a remarkable poem in which Wordsworth proclaims the divine attributes of nature. Nature cited as “offering the possibility of wisdom to combat the pain inherent in human growth” (Norton, p.694). The poem describes a visit to a medieval abbey, which is in a state of ruin and has been reclaimed by nature. In lines 89-97 Wordsworth writes, “Looking upon nature, not as in the hour of reckless youth, but listening often still to the sad music of humanity, neither harsh nor strident, though of ample power to chastise and subdue and I felt a presence which disturbs me with the joy of elevated thoughts, of a sublime sense of something much deeper interfused (Norton, p. 697-8). In this quote, there are many examples of how nature is its source of inspiration from God... at the center of the card... and emotions and from this they are able to express what no one else can and making these expressions the guidelines for all human expression. Although the message of these two poets are clearly similar, their style and way of writing and composing their thoughts are very different. Wordsworth is much more than a reflective and lyrical poet, who reflects on the revitalizing power of nature but also respects it because he truly sees it. like the power of God on earth. Shelley on the other, with his bold verses and the extraordinary visual images he creates with his wild vocabulary and extraordinary choice of words, creates a powerful expression of the cryptic and undoubtedly divine influence that nature has on man. This helps him become a powerful poet capable of expressing his feelings in ways that no ordinary man could, this is also aided by his belief that poets are of great importance to society.