Wordsworths Theory of Poetic Diction Essay Example For Students

Wordsworths Theory of Poetic Diction Essay How does Wordsmith describe the language as he claims to have selected for his poems? How does he describe the language used by many modern writers? Answer: The problem of poetic diction has been one of the most controversial Issues In literary criticism. The most Important part In the history of poetic diction Is constituted by Wordsmiths views on the language of poetry. These are two traditions in the history of poetic diction. One is that which pleads for a special language for poetry and the other is that which pleads for the spoken language. Wordsmith obviously belongs to latter tradition. Wordsmith opposed the gaudiness and inane phraseology of eighteen century poets. Wordsmith believed that most of those who enjoyed or sought consideration in society were incapable of love to man or reverence for God. Wordsmith would not write to please a corrupt society, nor would he employ its language. He would sing in simple language that cottages and children could understand. Wordsmiths theory of poetic diction Is not merely a revolt against existing practice. It does not merely abolish false practice, but It also Implies a desire to find a suitable engage for the new territory of human life, which he was bringing In for the poetic treatment, as Oliver Elton points out. The mall points of the theory are: l. The language of poetry should be the real language of men. It should not have any artificiality about it. By men, Wordsmith meant the rustic folk and humble people. A selection of such language should used; the language should be purified of coarseness or oddities. Ill. It should be the language of men in a state of vivid sensation. Iv. The language of poetry is not essentially different from that of prose. It should be noted that by ;language, Wordsmith probably means vocabulary, not syntax and grammar. The Preface to Lyrical Ballads tells us that the poems were in the nature of an experiment. He had brought them out with the purpose of ascertaining how far the language of conversation In the humble classes of society, would be suitable for poetry. His purpose was to deal with Incidents and situations from common and rustic life. As such, It was but natural that he would seek to express himself in a suitably simple language. Thus he says that the language of poetry is a selection of language really used by men. The language was to be selected I-e purified of its possible coarseness, any painfulness, or any disgusting aspect. The selection has to be made because the aim of a poet is to give pleasure, and such language without selection would distract from the pleasure. The emphasis is on the language which is really spoken by men. Poetry doesnt need any special language, or special devices. The personages of Wordsmiths poetry are drawn from the humble classes and the rustic life. The same humble and rustic life is the source of his language. His reasons for the choice of rustic life are: l. The cutis language Is spoken by men in whose hearts the essential passions find a better soil to attain maturity In. II. The passions of these men are Incorporated with the beautiful and permanent forms of nature and the best part of their language Is derived from such communication with nature. It is bound to be noble and simply impassioned. They speak in an unrestrained manners, as they are uninhibited by social vanity. Their language is impassioned, and expresses emotional excitement in a better manner. Their language comes from the depth of their hearts; if it is the natural language of the passions. v. Through such a language the basic truths about human nature can be more easily reached, understood and communicated. In the rustic life the essential passions, the elementary feelings resulting from a communion with Nature are simple, unsophisticated and easy to understand. The language of poetry should not be separated from the language of men in real life. Wordsmith reacted strongly against the use of elaborate figures of speech, metaphors, artificial devices such as personifications and circumlocution, which were not necessary to poetry. It is not as if Wordsmith spoke against metaphors and figures of speech altogether. He merely said that they should arise naturally from powerful emotions. He was against the use of elaborate and figurative language without the basic emotion to inspire that kind of language. Poetry and Literature EssayThe poet does not react to an impression immediately. He allows his sense impression of object perceived by him to sink into his mind along with the feelings which it has excited. Poetry is the matter of feeling and mood. It flows from the internal feelings of the poet. When the poetic mood is on the poet, he sings out rapture or sorrow spontaneously from the core of his heart. In such moments, his language of discourse becomes the language of poetical inspiration. Wordsmith talks of Expressing powerful feelings felt in the heart and not narrated in the mind all of us feel, so does the poet, but he feels intensely and deeply the heightened emotional stage of the poet find expression through his verses. Thus according to him deep emotion is the fundamental condition of the poetry. Wordsmith explains the role of calm thinking and deliberate contemplation in the composition of poetry. In this mood successful composition generally begins and in a mood similar to this it is carried on. The process of poetic composition is not an easy one. Wordsmith has mentioned six causes that led to poetic composition: (I) observation and description, (it) Sensibility, iii) reflection, (v) Imagination and fancy, (v) Invention, (v) Judgment. Wordsmith felt strongly that there was no worthy pursued but the idea of doing some go or the world. He hoped that his pomes would operate in their degree to extent the domain of sensibility for the delight, the owner, and the benefit of human nature. Poetry in not a mere entertainment, a diversion for a patrons idle hour. Poetry impart moral lesson for the betterment of human life. Wordsmith precise and emphatic in stating that pleasure is the end of poetry. To conclude, Wordsmith follows his theory of poetry in practice. He hardly made present Joy attar of a song. He would not give poetic expression to an experience immediately but would carry the impression in his heart. After a long interval that experience will have poetic expression. He had a very sharp memory, and sometimes he would recall an impression and revive it. His poems like The Prelude, The Solitary Reaper, The Daffodils etc are based on theory of emotions recollected in tranquility. These poems are generally into past tense which signifies that the poet is recollecting impressions received in the past.