10 poems by William Wordsworth you should read

Romanticism was a wave of literary expression that originated in Europe towards the end of the 18th century. Characterized by its emphasis on emotional and spiritual values as well as its deep engagement with nature and the Self, Romanticism caused a revolutionary stir in the history of English poetry and rhythmic compositions.

William Wordsworth was one of the first English Romantic Poet, who along with Samuel Taylor Coleridge began the wave of Romanticism in English Literature with their joint publication “Lyrical Ballads”. A poet laureate, William Wordsworth remains one of the most popular romantic poets.

To celebrate his birthday, here are 10 of William Wordsworth’s most famous poems that you should read.

“The Prelude” is an autobiographical poem in black verse by William Wordsworth, which he started writing at the age of 28 in 1798 and continued writing it throughout his life. Published posthumously in 1850, the poem was first intended as an introduction to his philosophical poem “The Recluse”, which Wordsworth never did finish.

“Tintern Abbey” is William Wordsworth’s most famous poems, published in 1798. It is a conversational poem that contains elements of an Ode and dramatic monologue. The poem is based on a small place situated in the village of Tintern in Monmouthshire, on the Welsh bank of the River Wye. Wordsworth, through this poem, helps his readers understand his philosophies on nature and its beauty.

Referred to as Wordsworth’s greatest ode, the poem explores the narrator’s divine relationship with nature. The poem compares the deep connection between a child and the nature, which is lost when the child grows and loses his divine vision. However, the narrator’s recollections of the past allows him to relive his relationship with the nature.

Published in 1807, “Solitary Reaper” is a beautiful ballad about a young girl, who is reaping in the fields and whose song captivates the attention of the narrator. He is so mesmerized by the song’s tone, expression and lyrical composition that he asks passers-by to wait and listen to the reaper’s song. The ballad is one of Wordsworth best known works.

One of the classics in English Romantic poetry, “Daffodils” tells a tale about a poet discovering a field of the beautiful flowers while wandering around a village. Published in 1807, the poem was inspired by Wordsworth’s encounter with a long belt of daffodils while taking a walk with his sister Dorothy in April 1802.

Another one of Wordsworth’s odes, “Ode to Duty” deals with the poet’s attitude and understanding towards the idea of duty. As much as he appreciates love and joy, he feels there is more grace and significance in the nature of duty. Although stern, he thinks duty is also graceful and divinely beautiful, if performed with a greater purpose.

Composed in 1802 itself, the poem is a medium that Wordsworth uses to reprimand his fellow English people for becoming selfish and morally stagnant. He eulogises seventeenth-century poet John Milton and explains how Milton could improve the present situation of England if he was alive. Through “London 1802”, Wordsworth shed light upon the deteriorating conditions of the English society while paying homage to Milton.

Written in 1802, the sonnet was composed to depict the beauty of London in the early morning light. While standing on the Westminster Bridge, the poet admires the early morning serenity of his surroundings, which will eventually be destroyed by the industrial activities during the day.

Written in 1798, the poem was one of the most famous amongst Wordsworth’s ‘Lucy Poems’. After the poet’s death, many critics and publisher came together and created a collection of five poems by Wordsworth written between 1798 and 1801 and named it the ‘Lucy Poems’. “Strange Fits of Passion have I known” is also a part of the collection and revolves around the fantasy of Lucy’s death.

Composed in 1802, “Resolution and Independence” is a beautiful lyric poem by William Wordsworth published in 1807 in ‘Poems, in Two Volumes’. The poem is based on Wordsworth’s actual encounter with a leech-gatherers near his home at Dove Cottage in Grasmere.