The Preface to Lyrical Ballads
By William Wordsworth
22/11/’09
Riccardo Biffi
5C
The Preface to Lyrical Ballads
It is considered the manifesto of
English Romantic poetry.


It describes its features and its purposes.
22/11/’09
Riccardo Biffi
5C
The Preface to Lyrical Ballads
The preface can be splitted in four main parts:
 The content.

The language.

The poet.

The poetry.
22/11/’09
Riccardo Biffi
5C
The Content
Romantic poems should deal with
“situations and incidents taken from low
and rustic life”.
But they should describe daily life in an
unusual way in order to make them more
interesting and thrilling for who read.
22/11/’09
Riccardo Biffi
5C
The Language
The language should be the one “really used by
men”.
The reasons are:
It is the best way to express and to convey
feelings.
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It is the origin of all words.

It is used for its simplicity and its honestly.
22/11/’09
Riccardo Biffi
5C
The Poet
“He is a man speaking to men”,
and he can make poetry since:
 He is more sensitive than other men.
 He has a deeper knowledge of human nature.
 He is aware of his passions and rejoices when
thinking to them.
 He can generate emotions where others cannot
find any.
22/11/’09
Riccardo Biffi
5C
The Poetry
“Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful
feelings”.
The poet writes poems after reliving a striking
emotion through a memory.
The creative process needs tranquillity and peace.
The poet has to be alone.
Imagination plays a fondamental role as source of
inspiration.
The ultimate goal is pleasure.
22/11/’09
Riccardo Biffi
5C