Wordsworth's Romanticism in "The World is Too Much" and "I Wandered Lonely"

William Wordsworth, author of I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud and The World is Too Much With Us, highlight important elements of Romanticism. The exotic, nature, emotion and individuality are perfectly embodied within these two poems. While carefully identifying each one, I’ve perceived Wordsworth’s message much more clear. His portrayal of romantic elements made me feel as if I were actually Wordsworth experiencing either bliss or outrage. Wordsworth wanted readers to connect with him through important romantic elements and successfully did so.

In one of Wordsworth’s most famous poems, I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, he writes, “Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.” (Stanza 2, Line 6-12) After walking through valleys and hills, Wordsworth finds himself in an abundant crowd of daffodils stretching out in front of him. As he glances at them, he realizes it’s just like the Milky Way. It seemed there was no ending for both. Nature is the romantic element Wordsworth significantly uses.

In another one of Wordsworth’s poems, The World is too Much With Us, he writes, “It moves us not. --Great God! I’d rather be a Pagan suckled in a creed outworn; So might I, standing on this pleasant lea, Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;” (Line 9-12) Wordsworth expresses his aggravation towards those who value materialistic possessions rather than nature. He wishes to be a pagan at this point. By Wordsworth being a pagan, he will only see glimpses of the world that wouldn’t make him feel sad and lonely instead of how unappreciative the world is with nature’s beauty. Wordsworth only uses one, but very conspicuous romantic element, emotion.

Throughout Wordsworth’s poetry, romantic elements are used as an important tool to express himself and connect with his readers. After analyzing just two out of four romantic elements, Wordsworth’s message was quite more interesting and meaningful. His poems were simple, but spoke to me on a louder level. The exotic, nature, emotion, and individuality encouraged both Wordsworth and I appreciate the world’s beauty and bliss.