'Lines composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey' by William Wordsworth


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Five years have past; five summers, with the length
Of five long winters! and again I hear
These waters, rolling from their mountain-springs
With a soft inland murmur.--Once again
Do I behold these steep and lofty cliffs,
That on a wild secluded scene impress
Thoughts of more deep seclusion; and connect
The landscape with the quiet of the sky.
The day is come when I again repose
Here, under this dark sycamore, and view
These plots of cottage-ground, these orchard-tufts,
Which at this season, with their unripe fruits,
Are clad in one green hue, and lose themselves
'Mid groves and copses. Once again I see
These hedge-rows, hardly hedge-rows, little lines
Of sportive wood run wild: these pastoral farms,
Green to the very door; and wreaths of smoke
Sent up, in silence, from among the trees!
With some uncertain notice, as might seem
Of vagrant dwellers in the houseless woods,
Or of some Hermit's cave, where by his fire
The Hermit sits alone.
These beauteous forms,
Through a long absence, have not been to me
As is a landscape to a blind man's eye:
But oft, in lonely rooms, and 'mid the din
Of towns and cities, I have owed to them
In hours of weariness, sensations sweet,
Felt in the blood, and felt along the heart;
And passing even into my purer mind,
With tranquil restoration:--feelings too
Of unremembered pleasure: such, perhaps,
As have no slight or trivial influence
On that best portion of a good man's life,
His little, nameless, unremembered, acts
Of kindness and of love. Nor less, I trust,
To them I may have owed another gift,
Of aspect more sublime; that blessed mood,
In which the burthen of the mystery,
In which the heavy and the weary weight
Of all this unintelligible world,
Is lightened:--that serene and blessed mood,
In which the affections gently lead us on,--
Until, the breath of this corporeal frame
And even the motion of our human blood
Almost suspended, we are laid asleep
In body, and become a living soul:
While with an eye made quiet by the power
Of harmony, and the deep power of joy,
We see into the life of things.
If this
Be but a vain belief, yet, oh! how oft--
In darkness and amid the many shapes
Of joyless daylight; when the fretful stir
Unprofitable, and the fever of the world,
Have hung upon the beatings of my heart--
How oft, in spirit, have I turned to thee,
O sylvan Wye! thou wanderer thro' the woods,
How often has my spirit turned to thee!
And now, with gleams of half-extinguished thought,
With many recognitions dim and faint,
And somewhat of a sad perplexity,
The picture of the mind revives again:
While here I stand, not only with the sense
Of present pleasure, but with pleasing thoughts
That in this moment there is life and food
For future years. And so I dare to hope,
Though changed, no doubt, from what I was when first
I came among these hills; when like a roe
I bounded o'er the mountains, by the sides
Of the deep rivers, and the lonely streams,
Wherever nature led: more like a man
Flying from something that he dreads, than one
Who sought the thing he loved. For nature then
(The coarser pleasures of my boyish days,
And their glad animal movements all gone by)
To me was all in all.--I cannot paint
What then I was. The sounding cataract
Haunted me like a passion: the tall rock,
The mountain, and the deep and gloomy wood,
Their colours and their forms, were then to me
An appetite; a feeling and a love,
That had no need of a remoter charm,
By thought supplied, nor any interest
Unborrowed from the eye.--That time is past,
And all its aching joys are now no more,
And all its dizzy raptures. Not for this
Faint I, nor mourn nor murmur, other gifts
Have followed; for such loss, I would believe,
Abundant recompence. For I have learned
To look on nature, not as in the hour
Of thoughtless youth; but hearing oftentimes
The still, sad music of humanity,
Nor harsh nor grating, though of ample power
To chasten and subdue. And I have felt
A presence that disturbs me with the joy
Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime
Of something far more deeply interfused,
Whose dwelling is the light of setting suns,
And the round ocean and the living air,
And the blue sky, and in the mind of man;
A motion and a spirit, that impels 0
All thinking things, all objects of all thought,
And rolls through all things. Therefore am I still
A lover of the meadows and the woods,
And mountains; and of all that we behold
From this green earth; of all the mighty world
Of eye, and ear,--both what they half create,
And what perceive; well pleased to recognise
In nature and the language of the sense,
The anchor of my purest thoughts, the nurse,
The guide, the guardian of my heart, and soul
Of all my moral being.
Nor perchance,
If I were not thus taught, should I the more
Suffer my genial spirits to decay:
For thou art with me here upon the banks
Of this fair river; thou my dearest Friend,
My dear, dear Friend; and in thy voice I catch
The language of my former heart, and read
My former pleasures in the shooting lights
Of thy wild eyes. Oh! yet a little while
May I behold in thee what I was once,
My dear, dear Sister! and this prayer I make,
Knowing that Nature never did betray
The heart that loved her; 'tis her privilege,
Through all the years of this our life, to lead
From joy to joy: for she can so inform
The mind that is within us, so impress
With quietness and beauty, and so feed
With lofty thoughts, that neither evil tongues,
Rash judgments, nor the sneers of selfish men,
Nor greetings where no kindness is, nor all
The dreary intercourse of daily life,
Shall e'er prevail against us, or disturb
Our cheerful faith, that all which we behold
Is full of blessings. Therefore let the moon
Shine on thee in thy solitary walk;
And let the misty mountain-winds be free
To blow against thee: and, in after years,
When these wild ecstasies shall be matured
Into a sober pleasure; when thy mind
Shall be a mansion for all lovely forms,
Thy memory be as a dwelling-place
For all sweet sounds and harmonies; oh! then,
If solitude, or fear, or pain, or grief,
Should be thy portion, with what healing thoughts
Of tender joy wilt thou remember me,
And these my exhortations! Nor, perchance--
If I should be where I no more can hear
Thy voice, nor catch from thy wild eyes these gleams
Of past existence--wilt thou then forget
That on the banks of this delightful stream
We stood together; and that I, so long
A worshipper of Nature, hither came
Unwearied in that service: rather say
With warmer love--oh! with far deeper zeal
Of holier love. Nor wilt thou then forget,
That after many wanderings, many years
Of absence, these steep woods and lofty cliffs,
And this green pastoral landscape, were to me
More dear, both for themselves and for thy sake!

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Lines composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey" by William Wordsworth: A Deep Dive into Nature's Influence on Human Psyche

Oh, how I adore William Wordsworth's "Lines composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey"! It's a masterpiece of Romantic poetry that captures the essence of nature's influence on human psyche. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I'll delve deep into the themes, symbols, and stylistic devices that make this poem a timeless classic.

Background Information

Before we dive into the poem, let's get some background information on the poet and the era he lived in. William Wordsworth (1770-1850) was a major English Romantic poet who, along with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, helped launch the Romantic Age in English literature. The Romantic movement was a reaction against the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and logic and celebrated imagination, emotion, and individualism instead.

Wordsworth's "Lines composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey" was written in 1798, at the height of the Romantic movement. The poem was first published in Lyrical Ballads, a collection of poetry co-authored by Wordsworth and Coleridge. The collection is considered a seminal work in the Romantic canon and helped establish Wordsworth as one of the greatest poets of his time.

Themes

The central theme of "Lines composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey" is the relationship between nature and the human psyche. The poem explores how nature can serve as a source of solace, inspiration, and spiritual renewal for the human soul. Wordsworth believes that nature has the power to heal the wounds of modern civilization and restore a sense of harmony between humans and the natural world.

Another important theme in the poem is the passage of time and the continuity of human experience. Wordsworth reflects on how his memories of Tintern Abbey have been shaped by his experiences over the years. He realizes that even though he has changed over time, his connection to nature remains constant. This theme highlights the importance of memory and the power of nature to provide a sense of continuity and stability in an ever-changing world.

Symbols

Wordsworth uses several symbols in "Lines composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey" to convey the themes of the poem. The most prominent symbol is Tintern Abbey itself, which represents the beauty and grandeur of nature. The ruins of the abbey serve as a reminder of the transience of human life and the enduring power of nature.

The river Wye is another important symbol in the poem. The river represents the flow of time and the continuity of human experience. Wordsworth reflects on how the river has remained unchanged over the years, just as his memories of Tintern Abbey have remained constant. The river also symbolizes the power of nature to provide a sense of peace and tranquility in a world that is constantly in flux.

Finally, the speaker's sister Dorothy serves as a symbol of innocence and purity. Dorothy has not been tainted by the corrupting influence of modern civilization and is still able to fully appreciate the beauty of nature. Her presence in the poem serves as a counterpoint to the speaker's more jaded perspective and highlights the transformative power of nature.

Stylistic Devices

Wordsworth employs several stylistic devices in "Lines composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey" to enhance the poem's themes and symbols. The most notable device is the use of imagery. Wordsworth's descriptions of the natural world are vivid and evocative, and he uses sensory details to convey the beauty and power of nature. For example, he describes the "steep and lofty cliffs" that "tower...upward to the sky" and the "beauteous forms" of the "mountain sheep" that roam the hills.

Another important stylistic device in the poem is the use of repetition. Wordsworth repeats key phrases throughout the poem, such as "These beauteous forms," "I have felt," and "Nature never did betray." This repetition serves to reinforce the poem's central themes and symbols and creates a sense of unity and coherence.

Finally, Wordsworth employs a conversational tone in the poem that creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy. The speaker addresses the reader directly and shares his personal reflections on the power of nature. This conversational tone helps to make the poem more accessible and relatable to readers and reinforces the poem's message of the importance of connecting with nature.

Interpretation

So, what is the deeper meaning of "Lines composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey"? At its core, the poem is a celebration of the transformative power of nature. Wordsworth believes that nature has the ability to heal the soul and restore a sense of harmony and interconnectedness between humans and the natural world. He also believes that memories of nature can provide a sense of continuity and stability in an ever-changing world.

But Wordsworth's message goes deeper than that. He sees nature as a spiritual force that can help us transcend the limitations of our current existence. By connecting with nature, we can tap into a higher consciousness and gain a deeper understanding of our place in the universe. Wordsworth's message is one of hope and optimism, and he believes that by embracing nature, we can achieve a better, more fulfilling life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Lines composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey" is a masterpiece of Romantic poetry that celebrates the transformative power of nature. Through vivid imagery, repetition, and a conversational tone, Wordsworth conveys the themes of the poem and creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy. The poem's symbols, such as Tintern Abbey and the river Wye, reinforce its central message and provide a sense of continuity and stability in an ever-changing world. Ultimately, Wordsworth's message is one of hope and optimism, and he believes that by connecting with nature, we can achieve a better, more fulfilling life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Lines composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey is a classic poem written by William Wordsworth in 1798. This poem is a beautiful expression of the poet's love for nature and his deep connection with it. The poem is a reflection of the poet's own experiences and emotions, and it is considered one of the greatest works of the Romantic era.

The poem begins with the poet describing his return to the banks of the River Wye, after a gap of five years. He is standing on the banks of the river, and he is filled with a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty of the natural world around him. The poet describes the beauty of the river, the woods, and the hills, and he is filled with a sense of joy and happiness.

The poet then goes on to describe his own emotional state, and he talks about how he is filled with a sense of calm and tranquility. He feels as though he is a part of the natural world around him, and he is at one with it. The poet describes how he is able to forget all his worries and cares, and he is filled with a sense of peace and contentment.

The poem then takes a more philosophical turn, and the poet begins to reflect on the nature of human existence. He talks about how he has grown and changed over the years, and he reflects on the passage of time. The poet talks about how he has become more aware of the beauty of the natural world around him, and he is filled with a sense of gratitude for the experiences that he has had.

The poet then goes on to talk about the importance of memory, and he reflects on the role that memory plays in shaping our lives. He talks about how memories of past experiences can bring us joy and happiness, and he reflects on the importance of cherishing these memories.

The poem then takes a more spiritual turn, and the poet talks about the importance of the natural world in shaping our spiritual lives. He talks about how the beauty of nature can inspire us and fill us with a sense of awe and wonder. The poet reflects on the importance of being in tune with the natural world, and he talks about how this can help us to connect with our own spiritual selves.

The poem ends with the poet expressing his gratitude for the experiences that he has had, and he talks about how these experiences have shaped him as a person. He reflects on the importance of being grateful for the beauty of the natural world, and he talks about how this can help us to live more fulfilling lives.

Overall, Poetry Lines composed a few miles above Tintern Abbey is a beautiful and inspiring poem that celebrates the beauty of the natural world and the importance of being in tune with it. The poem is a reflection of the poet's own experiences and emotions, and it is a powerful reminder of the importance of cherishing our memories and being grateful for the experiences that we have had. This poem is a true masterpiece of the Romantic era, and it continues to inspire and move readers to this day.

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