Classicism and Romanticism are two ideologies and kind of school of thoughts and something more than that. It gives us some ideas about dominance of certain things, in both era they were differents. Neo classisnm it was a period where intellect was considered most. Pope, Dryden they were neo-classicist who believed in intellectual works. But in the Romanticism, the major poets like Wordsworth, Coleridge, Shelley, Keats's poetry we find more imaginative concept than intellect. Their poetry were based on their imagination. In Neo-classicist believed there should ne restraint, but romantic poets didn't believe in any kind of restraint, in fact they believed in liberty, and poets had right to write what they want to. Neo-classicists followed the masters like Aristotle, Plato, Socrates. But Romantic poets were more inspired by Medieval time's poets. In Neo-classicism urban life was represented and in Romanticism the poets were more attracted to countryside, rustic life. Classic poets believed poetry as an objective whereas romantic poets believed poetry is subjective.
According to Wordsworth the way of writing of neo-classicists was highly unnecessary ornamental. He is interested in writing the poems and lyrical ballad in the language that really used by men. He finds humble rustic life, and to be with the genuine emotions, he wants to capture yhe emotions of countryside men by his rustic words and diction he finds it very close.
Wordsworth asks what is the poet not who is poet. A poet is a man who is speaking to men. But poet is a person who differs from other people in degree, he has more tenderness, enthusiasm and a better knowledge about Human nature. Wordsworth uses a word for poet that he has a comprehensive soul. His participation in spirits of life is much more than an ordinary person.
Wordsworth' definition of "poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.” Poetry has its origin in the internal feelings of the poet. It is a matter of passion & mood. Poetry cannot be produced ideology set by the Classicists. It must flow out naturally and smoothly from the soul of the poet. But it must be noted that good poetry, according to Wordsworth, is never an immediate expression of such powerful emotions. A good poet must ponder over them long and deeply.
Wordsworth's famous poem Daffodils, we find this poem has 4 stanzas, the first three stanzas are in past tense, he begins his poem in past tense while poem's last - the fourth stanza is in present tense. The inspiration for the poem came from a walk Wordsworth took with his sister Dorothy in the Lake District. He has drawn on this to compose "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud". This poem beautiful, a poem that can make you happy!
