In William Wordsworth’s theory of poetry, as expressed most clearly in his Preface to Lyrical Ballads (1800), the elements of spontaneity, emotion, and personality are central. These are not just stylistic choices; they are foundational to how he redefines poetry itself — moving it away from rigid classical traditions and toward a more natural, democratic, and deeply human expression. Wordsworth’s poetic revolution was not merely about changing verse form or diction, but about changing the very purpose and function of poetry in human life.
Let us now examine in detail the purpose and significance of spontaneity, emotions, and personality in Wordsworth’s poetic theory.
1. Spontaneity: The Natural Flow of the Poet’s Mind
Wordsworth famously described poetry as the “spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.”
This line reveals much about how Wordsworth conceives the creative process:
- Spontaneity refers to authenticity: Wordsworth believes that true poetry is not artificially constructed or ornamented. It arises naturally from genuine feelings. For him, poetry should not be mechanical or bound by rules but should reflect the organic growth of emotion from within the poet’s heart.
- Poetry originates in impulse: It often begins with a strong emotional reaction to a situation, person, or memory. This reaction may not be expressed immediately in verse, but it leaves a lasting impression on the poet’s mind.
- Recollection plays a role: While the emotion is spontaneous, the composition of poetry often happens in “tranquility” — when the poet reflects on the emotional experience in calmness. Hence, poetry is not merely raw feeling but feeling recollected in tranquillity.
Purpose of Spontaneity:
- To ensure the genuineness of poetic experience.
- To free poetry from classical artificiality and embrace the flow of natural human thought.
- To make poetry accessible and sincere, rather than rigid and ornamental.
2. Emotions: The Heart of All True Poetry
Emotions are not incidental in Wordsworth’s poetry — they are its very foundation.
- Wordsworth states clearly that “all good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.”
- He considers the emotional depth of the poet to be far more important than intellectual skill or technical mastery.
- Emotions are universal — they connect human beings across time, geography, and social class. Thus, by basing poetry on emotions, Wordsworth democratizes poetry — making it relatable to common people.
He especially values simple, sincere emotions such as:
- Love
- Grief
- Joy
- Sorrow
- Wonder
Wordsworth often finds these emotions among rustic and common people, who he believes live closer to nature and thus experience purer feelings.
Purpose of Emotions in Poetry:
- To evoke sympathy and human connection.
- To reflect truthful inner states, not just external realities.
- To create moral and spiritual elevation in readers, as emotions awaken reflection and ethical understanding.
3. Personality: The Poet as a Reflective Individual
In the classical tradition, poetry was often impersonal. The poet’s role was to tell stories of gods and heroes, to instruct or entertain, not to express personal feelings. Wordsworth breaks from this tradition.
- For him, poetry is deeply subjective. The poet writes from personal experience, individual perception, and inner emotional responses.
- He asserts that a poet is “a man speaking to men” — not a distant figure but a sensitive, observant human being, deeply connected to both society and solitude.
Wordsworth’s poetry is often about his own inner life. His famous poems like Tintern Abbey, Ode: Intimations of Immortality, and The Prelude are autobiographical or at least deeply reflective of his personal development and emotional journeys.
Purpose of Personality in Poetry:
- To bring an individual voice to poetic expression.
- To show that personal experiences and emotions can reveal universal truths.
- To allow the poet to function as a moral and emotional guide, helping readers connect with deeper truths about life and nature.
4. Interconnection of Spontaneity, Emotion, and Personality
These three elements are not separate in Wordsworth’s poetic theory — they are interconnected and interdependent.
- Spontaneity allows the emotions to emerge freely.
- Emotions, when reflected upon, become poetry through the personality of the poet.
- The poet’s individual sensitivity and imagination shape the emotional experience into verse that others can feel and understand.
This approach is radically different from earlier views that valued reason, form, and grandeur over feeling and simplicity.
5. Practical Application in Wordsworth’s Poetry
Let us consider some practical examples from his poetry:
- In Lines Written a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey, Wordsworth reflects on a past visit to the same place. His personal experience and emotional growth over the years are the main subject. The poem was written after a spontaneous recollection of that visit and is rich in tranquil reflection.
- In The Solitary Reaper, he is moved by the simple song of a working girl. He doesn’t understand the language, but the emotional impact of her singing stays with him — showing how spontaneous emotion leads to deep poetic insight.
- Daffodils (“I wandered lonely as a cloud”) is another example of how spontaneous joy on seeing the flowers becomes poetic expression when remembered later in solitude.
6. Impact and Legacy
Wordsworth’s emphasis on spontaneity, emotions, and personality had a profound effect on the Romantic Movement in English literature. He redefined poetry not as an elite craft, but as an expression of natural human feeling, rooted in personal experience and accessible language.
He paved the way for later poets like:
- Coleridge (his collaborator)
- Shelley (who also believed in emotional intensity)
- Keats (who combined emotional richness with aesthetic beauty)
- Byron (who brought a strong personality to his poetry)
Even in modern poetry, the influence of Wordsworth’s ideas on emotion and personal experience continues to be felt.
Conclusion
In Wordsworth’s theory of poetry, spontaneity, emotions, and personality serve a revolutionary purpose. They bring poetry back to its human core, stripping away artificial rules and bringing it closer to ordinary people, ordinary language, and genuine experience. Spontaneity ensures sincerity, emotions create depth and resonance, and personality lends individuality and truth. Through this triad, Wordsworth transforms poetry into a living, breathing reflection of the human soul — honest, heartfelt, and eternally relevant.