Comparing Wordsworth And Walt Whitman

The Romantic movement provided readers with works consisting of passionate emotion, an appreciation for the natural world, and individualism. Elements of Romanticism have been recognized in works from a multitude of different cultures. Significantly, William Wordsworth is widely known as one of the great English Romantic poets. In addition, Walt Whitman, an American poet, has also been acknowledged for the Romantic elements in his works. Although both poets are from two different cultures, their works share ideals present in Romanticism. Wordsworth’s “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey” and Whitman’s “Song of Myself” depict both poets as they view the world through their own perspective and share their insight with readers. By analyzing elements in William Wordsworth’s “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey” and Walt Whitman’s …show more content…
First and foremost, a key characteristic of Romantic literature would be a focus on feeling, which is portrayed in Wordsworth and Whitman’s poetry. In Romanticism, there is an emphasis on feeling rather than reason. Fundamentally, the poet will portray their emotions through their poetry, which will form an emotional connection with the reader. Firstly, Wordsworth goes into great detail describing his emotions while re-visiting Tintern Abbey five years after his first visit. For instance, the poet states that the memory of Tintern Abbey would bring him great pleasure while he was away: “…I have owed to them, in hours of weariness, sensations sweet, felt in the blood, and felt along the heart…” (Wordsworth 26-28). Clearly, it is evident to the reader that the poet cherishes the memory of Tintern Abbey due to the