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William Wordsworth (1770-1850) stands as a cardinal figure in the landscape of English Romantic poetry. Together with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Wordsworth pioneered the Romantic age in England with the 1798 publication of 'Lyrical Ballads.' This foundational text marked a decisive shift away from the classical formalism of eighteenth-century poetry, infusing the genre with fresh, naturalistic verve, and a focus on the sublime within the everyday. Wordsworth's poetics are characterized by his steadfast belief in the spiritual value of nature and the inherent goodness of humanity, an approach encapsulated in the groundbreaking preface to the second edition of 'Lyrical Ballads' (1800). His poetry often explores the intersection between the emotional landscape of the self and the physical landscape of the English countryside. Notably, his autobiographical epic 'The Prelude,' published posthumously in 1850, defines Wordsworth as an introspective figure, preoccupied with memory and the developmental influence of nature on the self. His work is marked by a simplicity of language and a rhythmic innovation that seeks to mirror the inherent patterns found within the natural world. Wordsworth was named Britain's Poet Laureate in 1843, a role he held until his death, reflecting the depth of his contribution to English literature. His influence is enduring, with scholarly inquiry continuing to parse his thematic richness and his role in shaping the Romantic era.
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