Wordsworth and Coleridge: Lyrical Ballads

by John Blades

Written in an age of revolutions, Lyrical Ballads represents a radical new way of thinking - not only about literature but also about our fundamental perceptions of the world. The poetry of Wordsworth and Coleridge continues to be among the most appealing and challenging in the rich tradition of English Literature; and Lyrical Ballads , composed at the height of the young authors' creative powers, is now widely acclaimed as a landmark in literary history.

In this lively study, detailed analysis of individual poems is closely grounded in the literary, political and historical contexts in which Lyrical Ballads was first conceived, realised and subsequently expanded into two volumes. John Blades examines poetry from both volumes and carefully reassesses the poems in the light of Wordsworth's and Coleridge's revolutionary theories, while Part II of the study broadens the discussion by tracing the critical history of Lyrical Ballads over the two centuries since its first publication.

Providing students with the critical and analytical skills with which to approach the poems, and offering guidance on further study, this stimulating book is essential reading.

Genres: Poetry, School

291 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Cary Boswell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, but very literary. I learned much about their friendship. The first edition of Lyrical Ballads was not well received, but became popular with subsequent editions. I liked the original of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner better than the 1817 version.

[Sulaiman · Rating 3 out of 5]

قام وليم وردزوث و صامويل تايلر كوليردج بتأليف هذه القصائد معلنة بداية الحركة الرومانتيكة في الأدب الانجليزي والتي يعد وليم وردزوث الاب الروحي لها. وردزوث أصلا سيكن منطة البحيرات في شمال انجلترا وكان من مناصيري مذهب الطبيعة وهو بالمناسبة حاصل على لقب أمير الشعراء من الفترة 18343 الى 1850 له قصائد عده في وصف الطبيعة والحفاظ عليها the prelude وهي عبارة عن ملحمة من الشعر طويلة تحمل الكثير من المعاني للطبيعة

[Alix Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read all the poems I was set by my tutor, and enjoyed them :) if I choose to write about Lyrical Ballads for my essay, I'll read the rest of the collection!

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Am I allowed to say that neither of these guys are my favorites?

[Tom-Kenneth Fossheim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not exactly the edition I read, but what the heck.