William Blake as a Romantic Poet, According to W.

Wordsworth’s

Definition of Poetry in the “Preface to the Lyrical Ballads”.

By
Usama Waheed
Submitted to : Sir Haseeb Ullah, Lecturer in English

Department of English
Government Degree College, KDA Township, Kohat
18th May, 2023
Table of Contents :

Contents Page No.

1. Introduction……………………………….…...1

1.1- Research Statement……………….………2

1.2- Research Questions…….………………....2

1.3- Research Objectives………………………3

2. Literature Review………………..……………3

3. Research Methodology…………..........…..…..5

3.1- Theoretical Framework…………………....6

3.2- Time Frame………………………………..6

4. Working Bibliography………………………..7
1. Introduction:

William Blake, a renowned poet of the Romantic era, is well known

for his visionary and mystical approach to writing. His poetry is deeply

rooted in religious texts and social issues of his time. William

Wordsworth, another prominent poet of the Romantic era, believed that

poetry should be focused on the everyday experiences of ordinary people

and should be written in a language that is accessible to all. In his preface

to Lyrical Ballads, Wordsworth sets out his definition of Romantic poetry,

which has since become a cornerstone of Romantic literary theory. This

research proposal aims to explore the work of William Blake in light of

Wordsworth's definition of Romantic poetry. Specifically, it will examine

Blake's poetry, as found in The Complete Poetry and Prose of William

Blake, edited by David V. Erdman, to identify the ways in which Blake's

work aligns with Wordsworth's definition of Romantic poetry. The

proposed research will examine the themes, language, and imagery used

by Blake, and will assess the extent to which his work meets the criteria
set out by Wordsworth. The research will contribute to our understanding

of Blake's poetry and its place within the broader context of Romantic

literature.

1.1- Research Statement:

This research project seeks to analyze William Blake's poetry in

relation to Wordsworth's definition of poetry as presented in the

Preface to the Lyrical Ballads. By examining the thematic elements,

stylistic features, and philosophical underpinnings of Blake's poetry,

we aim to determine the extent to which Blake can be considered a

Romantic poet according to Wordsworth's criteria.

1.2- Research Questions:

• How does William Blake's poetry reflect the "spontaneous overflow

of powerful feelings" as defined by Wordsworth?

• How does Blake's poetry reflect the idea of "emotion recollected in

tranquility" as defined by Wordsworth?

• How does Blake's social critique in his poetry align with the

Romantic ideals of individualism and imagination?

 1.1- Research Objectives :

• To critically evaluate Wordsworth's definition of poetry as outlined

in the preface to the Lyrical Ballads.

• To analyze the themes, language, and imagery used in William

Blake's poetry.

• To identify and explore the similarities and differences between

Blake's poetry and Wordsworth's definition of poetry.

• To draw conclusions on the extent to which Blake's poetry conforms

to Wordsworth's definition of poetry.

2. Literature Review :

The topic of William Blake as a romantic poet is an intriguing one

that is worth exploring in-depth. To understand Blake's poetry in the

context of the Romantic era, it is essential to examine it through the lens

of Wordsworth's definition of poetry in the "Preface to Lyrical Ballads."

This literature review will provide an overview of previous research on

Blake's poetry in the Romantic era.

 Numerous studies have explored William Blake's poetry and its

connection to Romanticism. One such study is "The Romantic Vision of

William Blake" by Mary Lynn Johnson. In this book, Johnson argues that

Blake's poetry reflects the values and ideals of the Romantic era, such as

a deep appreciation of nature, an interest in the supernatural, and a

fascination with the inner workings of the human mind.

Another significant work is "Blake and the Idea of the Book" by

Joseph Viscomi. Viscomi examines Blake's illuminated books and argues

that they represent a unique form of artistic expression that is intimately

connected to Romanticism. According to Viscomi, Blake's books are

more than just poetry; they are works of art that combine text, image, and

design to create a cohesive aesthetic experience.

In the preface to Lyrical Ballads, Wordsworth defined Romantic

poetry as a poetry that reflects the "spontaneous overflow of powerful

feelings" and "emotion recollected in tranquility." Wordsworth believed

that poetry should be written in the language of everyday people and that

it should be accessible to a wide audience. His definition of Romantic

poetry had a significant impact on the Romantic movement and continues

to influence literary criticism today.

Several studies have examined Wordsworth's definition of poetry

and its influence on the Romantic era. In "The Preface to Lyrical Ballads:

Wordsworth's Manifesto and Its Legacy," Michael Ferber argues that

Wordsworth's ideas laid the groundwork for the Romantic movement by

emphasizing the importance of individual experience and emotion. In

"The Language of Poetry and the Language of Power: The Impact of

Wordsworth's 'Preface to Lyrical Ballads,'" David Simpson explores the

political implications of Wordsworth's ideas, arguing that they were an

attempt to challenge the dominant power structures of the time.

3. Research Methodology:

The research will be conducted using a qualitative research

approach, using close-reading, specifically a close textual analysis of

William Blake's poetry. The methodology will involve the following

steps:
• A comprehensive review of relevant literature on William Blake and

the Romantic era.

• A selection of poems from Blake's oeuvre that reflect the Romantic

ideals of emotion, imagination, and individualism.

• A close textual analysis of the selected poems, focusing on themes,

imagery, and language used.

• A comparison between Blake's poetry and Wordsworth's definition

of Romantic poetry in the preface to Lyrical Ballads.

• A critical evaluation of secondary sources, such as literary criticism,

biographies, and historical accounts of the Romantic era.

3.1- Theoretical Framework :

The theoretical framework for this study will be based on William

Wordsworth's definition of poetry in the preface to the Lyrical

Ballads. Wordsworth emphasized the use of a language that is close

to ordinary speech, the depiction of ordinary people and their

experiences, and a focus on the connection between nature and the

human mind. This framework will serve as a basis for analyzing

 Blake's poetry in terms of its language, subject matter, and

philosophical underpinnings.

3.2- Time Frame : Phase 1: Literature Review and Theoretical

Framework - 2 weeks

Phase 2: Analysis of Blake's Poetry – 2 weeks

Phase 3: Comparison and Discussion - 1 week

Phase 4: Finalize Research Proposal – 1 week

Total Time Frame: Approximately 6 weeks.

4. Bibliography :

• Blake, William. The Complete Poetry and Prose of William Blake.

Edited by David V. Erdman, Anchor Books, 1988.

• Johnson, Mary Lynn. The Romantic Vision of William Blake.

University of Missouri Press, 1982.

• Viscomi, Joseph. Blake and the Idea of the Book. Princeton

University Press, 1993.

• Ferber, Michael. "The Preface to Lyrical Ballads: Wordsworth's

Manifesto and Its Legacy." Romanticism: The Journal of Romantic

Culture and Criticism, vol. 15, no. 2, 2009, pp. 127-137.