Theory of Poetic Diction by Wordsworth.pptx

That is about the theory of poetic diction described by the dominant romantic poet William Wordsworth.

1. Theory of poetic diction by Wordsworth Theory of Poetic Diction

2. Today's Discussion What is Poetic Diction? Theory of Poetic Diction Arguments supporting this theory. Weak points of the theory . Criticism Conclusion

3. What is Poetic Diction A Brief Introduction The poetic diction is the use of language in a poetry. Wordsworth revolt against the poetic diction of eighteenth century. He criticized the views of poetic diction of Dr Johnson and Gray.

4. Comparison: Dr Johnson Wordsworth A noble and graceful action is degraded when described in ordinary and simple action Wordsworth rejects poetic diction by saying , "avoid poetic diction, he advocated the same language in poetry and prose.

5. Comparison: Gray Wordsworth According to Gray; Language of the particular age could not be the language of poetry. Poet is a man speaking of men and his language should be simple to communicate his feelings and ideas.

6. Recommendation of new language Wordsworth gives new theory for language of poetry, according to that it should be A selection of real language of men in a state of vivid sensation . By men he means rustic, folk and humble people, by selection he means that this language should be purified of its absurdities and coarseness

7. Arguments supporting this theory First Rustic people hourly communicate with nature and the best part of the language is derives from communicating with nature, so their language should be the language of poetry. Second Their language is simple and clear so it is more suitable for poetry.

8. Weak points this theory First When Wordsworth says that there should not be any difference in the language of prose and poetry, he does not make clear that whether he means the vocabulary or the position of words. Second Wordsworth advocates metre for several reasons, but we know that this is artificial as poetic diction.

9. Criticism Coleridge's criticism on theory; The best part of language is not derived from communicating with nature but from the reflection of acts of mind itself. If the rustic language is purified then it will be no more rustic.

10. Conclusion Although Wordsworth' theory of poetic diction has some limitations , yet it is very useful. It changed the tendency of using far-fetched difficult words for poetry. It has great significance in the history of English literature; the difference between the language of poetry and prose is getting less and less