William Wordsworth, a prominent figure in the Romantic movement, was also a noted literary critic. He believed that poetry should be simple and express the emotions and thoughts of common people. He rejected the highly structured and artificial forms of poetry popular in his time, and instead championed a style that was natural and based on personal experience.
In his famous work, "Preface to Lyrical Ballads" (1798), Wordsworth laid out his literary philosophy. He argued that poetry should be written in the language of the common man, rather than in the elevated and artificial language of the poets of his time. This emphasis on simplicity and naturalness was a key aspect of Wordsworth's romanticism. He believed that poetry should be a reflection of the natural world and the emotions of the individual.
Wordsworth also believed that poetry should be rooted in personal experience. He believed that a poet should draw on their own emotions and observations, rather than trying to imitate the work of others. This emphasis on originality and authenticity was another key aspect of Wordsworth's romanticism.
In addition to his literary philosophy, Wordsworth was also a noted critic of the literary establishment of his time. He rejected the neoclassical conventions of his time and instead championed a more natural and emotional style of poetry. This critique of the literary establishment was another important aspect of Wordsworth's romanticism.
In conclusion, William Wordsworth was a prominent literary figure of the Romantic movement and his work as a poet and critic had a significant influence on the literary world of his time. His emphasis on simplicity, naturalness, originality, and authenticity, as well as his critique of the literary establishment, were all key aspects of his romanticism.
