Romanticism became a prominent cultural trend in the late 1700s and early 1800s. In England, the literature showed this trend clearly. William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge shifted people’s focus. They went from talking about reason to talking about feelings. They also started to focus more on nature.
This article delves into the lives and works of these poets. It also explores how nature plays a crucial role in English Romanticism.
William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth was born in the Lake District, known for its stunning natural beauty. The landscapes around him inspired his work from an early age. He studied at Cambridge and then travelled extensively. However, it was always nature that called him back.
In 1798, Wordsworth and Coleridge worked together to publish a book of poems called ‘Lyrical Ballads.’ This book became really important in Romantic literature. One of Wordsworth’s poems in the book talks about the power of nature to make people feel better and inspired.
Wordsworth believed in the therapeutic power of nature. He thought that a deep connection with the natural world could cure the malaise of industrial society. For him, nature was not just a backdrop but an active, living force.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Born in Devon in 1772, Coleridge was a voracious reader and a dreamer from an early age. He met Wordsworth in 1795, and their collaboration became one of the most fruitful in literary history.
Coleridge also had a poem in ‘Lyrical Ballads.’ The poem is called ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.’ It talks about feeling guilty, forgiven, and amazed by nature. In this poem, Coleridge discusses the sea as something compelling and big.
Coleridge had a significant influence on religious and philosophical thought. He criticised the industrial age for its detachment from nature. He also pondered the poet’s role as a moral and spiritual guide.
The power of nature
Wordsworth and Coleridge both advocated for the healing powers of nature. They often wrote about how nature can restore mental health and bring peace.
Wordsworth’s time spent wandering through the Lake District inspired poems that are an antidote to life’s stresses. In ‘I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,’ he describes how a field of daffodils uplifts his spirit.
Similarly, Coleridge found solace in the landscapes he told in his poetry. For them, nature was a refuge, a place where they could retreat from the world’s complexities.
Another exciting aspect is how these poets used nature to reflect human emotions. For example, in Wordsworth’s ‘Tintern Abbey,’ the changing weather and landscapes parallel his emotional journey. Coleridge also used natural elements like the sea and wind to symbolise emotional turmoil.
Both poets considered nature a great teacher. They found lessons about life, death, and morality embedded in the natural world. Wordsworth believed that nature could teach people to appreciate simplicity and authenticity. On the other hand, Coleridge often explored how nature serves as a guide to understanding human limits.
The poets also used nature to critique society. They saw that cities and factories were pulling people away from nature. This also took away a significant source of happiness and wisdom. Both poets lamented this loss and used their writing to advocate for a return to nature to restore balance in life.
In summary, the role of nature in the works of Wordsworth and Coleridge was multi-faceted. It was a healer, a mirror, a teacher, a spiritual guide, and a critique of society. Through their eyes, nature became more than just scenery. It became an active, empowering force that could transform lives.
So, pick up a poem by Wordsworth or Coleridge today. Experience the power of nature through their words, and let it enrich your life!