William Wordsworth: Influence on Modern Poetry and Literature

Both William Blake and William Wordsworth remain influential figures in modern literature and poetry, albeit in different ways. While Blake's impact is often seen in cultural and anti-establishment pursuits, Wordsworth's influence is more profound in the realm of poetic technique and style.

William Blake and Modern Culture

William Blake has had a significant influence on modern thinking and culture. Through his anti-establishment and reform-minded approach, Blake has inspired many contemporary artists and musicians. For example, singer-songwriters like Bob Dylan, John Lennon, and Jim Morrison from the band The Doors drew inspiration from Blake's philosophy and writing. The Doors were even named after Blake's concept of the 'doors of perception.' When Bob Dylan first met the Beatles, he broke the ice with Allen Ginsberg, who introduced the topic of William Blake. This led to the Beatles and Dylan recognizing Blake as a profound influence.

William Wordsworth and Poetic Techniques

William Wordsworth's influence on modern poetry is more direct in its technical aspects. His elegant blank verse has been a benchmark for many poets who followed him. Some notable poets influenced by Wordsworth include Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Percy Bysshe Shelley, John Keats, and his friend. Wordsworth's poetry paved the way for the renaissance of the sonnet form, which had been neglected for a long time. Prominent writers who were inspired by his sonnets include Keats, Shelley, Tennyson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Christina Rossetti, Edgar Allan Poe, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and e. e. Cummings.

Wordsworth's Poetic Ideas

Wordsworth's ideas about writing poetry, co-expressed in the preface to 'Lyrical Ballads,' have had a lasting impact on modern literature. His preface emphasizes the importance of expressing emotion recollected in tranquility, using the language of everyday people, and focusing on the common people and everyday things rather than the grandiose themes of ancient kings and heroes. These ideas continue to influence contemporary writers, whether they are consciously aware of these theoretical underpinnings or not.

Personal Reflection on the Influence of Literature

Reflecting on personal experiences, I have not delved into Wordsworth's works for many decades. My engagement with literature during high school was primarily with figures like Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley. Whether Wordsworth is currently in vogue or out of fashion is a matter of personal taste and context. For me, Blake's semi-religious paintings in London's Tate Gallery are still far more inspiring than the Romantic poetry. However, the enduring influence of Wordsworth's writing and his ideas on poetry make him a timeless figure in literary history.