Thoreau – Nature

“Nature” is the object of reflection of the poem. He referred connecting himself to

nature; human beings are irrelevant: the better you know nature the better you know
yourself. Spirituality, connection with something you can describe. A spiritual
experience without any mediation. Nature of the time was also a source of freedom
from the bones of Civilization; you get free in nature, a source of life.
The second stanza is like an extension of the first, we can split it in two parts:
1. In the first one there is an idea of individualism
2. In the second one a romantic idea, inspiration by Nature.
The poet is isolated from human life; he looks inside to find himself, to find his identity
he must be detached of the civilized world.
“Only- be it near to you”: they don’t aspire to go to heaven, just to Nature, to be
balanced, satisfied, nature provides everything God would provide to those who
worship him.
When we refer to the King, it’s not just a position of authority, also a wealthy power; he
enjoys spirituality.
“Forest wild”: non-civilized space, he is able to enjoy in a setting located in nature.