These poems are two of the most important works of Romanticism, written by poets who were so

in uential. In particular “DAFFODILS”, or “I WANDERED LONELY AS A CLOUD”, was written by

Wordsworth, instead “L’INFINITO” was written by Leopardi.

In both poems the central theme is nature, Wordsworth describes the landscape in which there are
da odils. They are near a lake and under some trees. This is a very important characteristic of the poet
who was one of the “LAKE POETS” because he wrote about nature.

The poet is able to be happy by observing and admiring the da odils, because they are brilliant,
thanks to their gold color.

Even Leopardi describes nature, focusing on the “lonely hill", also named by Wordsworth in "vales and
hills" and on the sound that the wind generates when it “touches” the plants.

Here is another common element, the wind. In fact, even in Wordsworth's poem, it is a cloudy and
windy day.

The reference to the "never-ending line" in "DAFFODILS" is very important, because it takes up what is
the fundamental argument in "L’INFINITO", that is “the last horizon”. In fact, we have to remember that
Leopardi is looking for pleasure and happiness and they have not limits.

Another di erence is that, while Wordsworth writes of an experience that really happened, describing
what he saw during a walk, Leopardi only imagines what could be beyond the hedge (siepe).

Returning to the elements in common, we can refer to the hyperbole "ten thousand" in reference to
da odils. Leopardi does a similar thing by writing the hyperbole "endless spaces".

In addition, the phrase "E IL NAUFRAGAR M’E’ DOLCE IN QUESTO MARE" connects perfectly to what
Wordsworth wrote, "AND THEN MY HEART WITH PLEASURE FILLS", both describing a feeling of
pleasure that came from di erent things. Wordsworth refers to something concrete, such as owers,
while Leopardi refers to something abstract, which he can only imagine.

So, while Wordsworth manages to nd pleasure in something nite, Leopardi doesn’t accept that
something nite can create happiness.

The last common element is the memory, in fact, Wordsworth, in the last stanza, writes about the fact
that it is thanks to remembrance that he manages to have the feeling of joy even when nature is not
available to be contemplated.

Even Leopardi refers to memory, connecting it to the past and the future; but for Leopardi the past is
certainly better, compared to the present, which is darker and generates more sadness.

Both poets pass from loneliness to company, thanks to the memory of da odils, for Wordsworth,
and thanks to imagination and illusion, for Leopardi, highlighting how everyone can be alone, but at the
same time in company of his own thoughts.