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Why was Wordsworth's preface to Lyrical Ballads important?
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Romantic literature
English Romantic poet and artist William Blake wrote and illustrated “The Tyger” and other poems in his book Songs of Innocence and of Experience (1794).
William Wordsworth’s preface to the second edition of Lyrical Ballads (1800) is considered the manifesto of the English Romantic movement because it fundamentally challenged the prevailing poetic conventions of the 18th century.12
Its importance lies in several key revolutionary principles:
- Democratization of Language: Wordsworth argued against the "stale and stilted" poetic diction of his time, advocating instead for the use of "the language really used by men". He sought to ground poetry in the common speech of everyday people.1345
- Focus on Common Life: He shifted the subject matter of poetry toward "incidents and situations from common life," focusing on the experiences of humble, rustic individuals rather than the idealized or formal subjects favored by earlier poets.15
- Definition of Poetry: The preface famously defined poetry as "the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings," emphasizing the role of individual emotion and personal experience over the intellectual judgment and rigid structures of the Neoclassical era.123
By prioritizing sincerity, intense feeling, and the creative imagination, the preface helped mark the beginning of a new era in English literature.153