What is Typical of Lyrical Ballads Essay -- Wordsworth Coleridge Poems

What is Typical of Lyrical Ballads The group title of the set of poems written by Wordsworth and Coleridge presents an interesting starting point of analysis. The phrase ‘Lyrical Ballads’ is a paradox as the genres of ‘lyrics’ and ‘ballads’ can be defined as in opposition to each other. A ‘lyric’ is ‘a poem about feeling†¦ addressed to the reader in a manner of private and intimate conversation’. A ‘ballad’ is ‘a narrative poem from an anonymous point of view, often relating to characters from public or historical events, such as war.’ Therefore the two genres are combined under the title ‘Lyrical Ballads’, signifying an unexpected and unusual style from Wordsworth and Coleridge. This is further evidenced by Wordsworth, who said the ‘Lyrical Ballads’ should be seen as ‘an experiment’, consisting of ‘poems†¦ materially different from those under the general approbation†¦ present bestowed’ and that they may be read by some with a ‘common dislike’. One aspect of the style of ‘Lyrical Ballads’ that caused much contempt at the time of publication is the simple language, an important characteristic of the poems. Wordsworth tries to avoid the ‘falsehood of description’, instead preferring to record reality in ordinary language rather than attempting a poetic diction. Unlike many of his contemporary poets, Wordsworth did not attempt an ornate and elevated poetic style adorned with extravagant metaphors. However, this does not mean the language is colloquial, but that Wordsworth takes his language and subjects from ‘ordinary life’ hoping to show ‘the language really spoken by men’. This is true for poems such as ‘We are Seven’ in which the narrator meets a ‘little cottage girl’ and questions her about her sibling... ... There are many characteristics that permeate throughout each of the poems in the ‘Lyrical Ballads’ creating a style fundamentally associated with Wordsworth. These qualities have a number of different intentions, for example the simple language and the reference to ordinary life do not alienate readers from a less educated background. Wordsworth’s intention was for his poetry to be inclusive and the ‘Lyrical Ballads’ are infused with ordinary life, responses to loss, growing old and the fear of death. The poems also celebrate a view of rural life and nature as a solution to industrialisation. Consequently, whilst many of the poems aim to engage readers for entertainment purposes, some poems, such as ‘Last of the Flock’ and ‘Simon Lee’ not only offer a story of ordinary life but they provide political protests on the provisions for the poor and the old.