Lyrical Ballads, With a Few Other Poems (1798)

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

9622

Title

Lyrical Ballads, With a Few Other Poems (1798)

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A landmark collection of poetry by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, *Lyrical Ballads* experiments with using the language of ordinary people to depict human passions and incidents. Featuring iconic works like "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" and "Tintern Abbey," the book challenges readers to find poetry in nature and daily life, marking a pivotal shift in English literature.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1798, *Lyrical Ballads* by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge marks a radical departure from the ornate, artificial styles of the late 18th century. The collection serves as a manifesto for Romanticism, aiming to present a natural and authentic depiction of human experience by utilizing the language of ordinary people. The volume is defined by a distinct duality in its poetic voices. Coleridge contributes imaginative, supernatural, and narrative works that explore the depths of the human mind and the psychological. His masterpiece, *The Rime of the Ancient Mariner*, tells the haunting tale of a sailor cursed after killing an albatross, while *Kubla Khan* offers a fragmentary vision of a dream palace. Other pieces delve into the sea, the supernatural, and archaic linguistic styles to evoke the spirit of older poets. Conversely, Wordsworth focuses on the common man, rural life, and the healing power of nature. His poems often feature conversational tones and simple diction. *Simon Lee, the Old Huntsman* portrays the decline of a former huntsman left destitute after his master's death, highlighting themes of poverty and aging. *We Are Seven* explores a child's innocent yet profound understanding of death, where a young girl insists that her two deceased siblings are still part of her family of seven. *The Idiot Boy* presents a heartwarming narrative of a mother riding her mentally disabled son to fetch a doctor, challenging social prejudices through an act of maternal love. Other works like *The Thorn* and *The Mad Mother* investigate darker aspects of human psychology and societal neglect. The collection also includes *Lines Written a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey*, a lyrical meditation on the enduring influence of nature on the human soul. Wordsworth reflects on how his relationship with the landscape has evolved from youthful exuberance to a mature, spiritual appreciation, offering a blueprint for finding peace and moral guidance in the natural world. Together, these works establish the principles of Romanticism, emphasizing emotion, individual experience, and the sublime power of nature over the artificial constraints of contemporary literary fashion.

LLM editorial rating

4.8/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Poetry