The Prelude by William Wordsworth is a blank-verse autobiographical poem which tells his story of growing up and a spiritual journey in which he searches for his true identity Wordsworth wrote the Prelude in the 1790s and it was published for the first time in 1805. Wordsworth wrote about his own personal experiences and struggles to find spiritual truths in the world around him. It is considered one of the most important poems of the Romantic period and is regarded as one of the greatest works of English literature.
The Prelude is full of literary elements, from symbolism to personification to diction. Here are five of the best examples of Wordsworth's use of literary elements in The Prelude.
The first example is personification. In the poem, Wordsworth personifies Nature as a divine being. He writes of how Nature is always present in his life, guiding him through life’s difficulties and providing comfort. He says “Our destiny, our being’s heart and home/Is with infinitude, and only there.” Here, he personifies Nature as a being that is part of his destiny and his home, providing a sense of comfort.
The second example is diction. Throughout the poem, Wordsworth uses strong diction to emphasize his feelings and experiences. He writes, “O eloquent, just and mighty Death!” Here, he uses strong language to express his awe and reverence of death, conveying the power of death and its importance.
The third example is imagery. Wordsworth often uses vivid imagery to evoke emotions in the reader. One of the most vivid examples is in the line “a still, sad music of humanity.” Here, Wordsworth paints a vivid picture of a silent and sorrowful humanity, conveying the emotional impact of life’s trials.
The fourth example is symbolism. Wordsworth often uses symbolism to evoke meaning and emotion in the poem. One of the most noteworthy examples is in the lines “fireside enjoyments, Childhood’s faithful friends, The story-teller’s voice and innocent glee,” where he uses imagery to symbolize the innocence of childhood and how it can be a source of strength and comfort.
The fifth example is structure. Wordsworth uses structure to create a sense of movement and flow in the poem. He uses regular rhythm and stresses throughout the poem to create a sense of progression and development. This is particularly evident in the poem’s conclusion, where the regular rhythm and stresses of the structure symbolize Wordsworth’s journey of discovery.
Overall, The Prelude by William Wordsworth is a poem full of literary elements. From personification to imagery to symbolism and structure, Wordsworth uses literary devices to convey his thoughts and emotions. By using these elements, he is able to create a powerful and compelling poem that speaks to the spiritual journey of self-discovery.