Wordsworth's Views of Poetry and the Poet

- Exercise 1

1. The subject of poetry, that the poet wrote, is described in the first part: he wants to narrate incidents and situations of common life and to relate or describe them as far as is possible. Wordsworth wants to describe them because low and rustic life coexist in a state of greater simplicity.

2. The language of the poetry is written in a selection of language really used by men. But, to make interesting, the language is used to present ordinary things to the mind of unusual way. Then, the poet says that the people of common life speaks a plainer and more emphatic language.

3. The identity of the poet is described in the second part of the text: Wordsworth says that the poet is a man speaking to men: a man has more sensibility, more enthusiasm and tenderness. Also he says that he has a greater knowledge of human nature and a more comprehensive soul.

4. The creative act of the poet is described in the last part of the text: Wordsworth says that poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquillity.

- Exercise 2

Poetry should deal with incidents and situations from...common life, throw over them a certain colouring of imagination.

Poetry should use familiar...language, a selection of language really used by men.

The poet is a man speaking to other men who has...more sensibility, enthusiasm and comprehensive soul.

The creative process starts from an emotion which is...recollected in tranquillity.