William Wordsworth Love for Nature

1053 Words5 Pages
Wordsworth is, the greatest poet of Nature. There is a systematic development in his attitude towards nature. At first he loves Nature for its external loveliness. He appreciates it through his senses and revels in the colour, the smell and the form of natural objects. He loves ‘sounding cataract’ for its sound, and the rose for its beauty. This is the stage of ‘thoughtless youth’. Later on he begins to worship Nature for its inner meaning. He now looks on Nature as ‘an embodiment of the Divine Spirit’. In other words he spiritualizes Nature. He thinks that Nature is not lifeless but possesses a life and spirit. He further believes that there is a spirit in nature as well as in the mind of man. It is possible for man to have communion with Nature. Anyone who communes with her would gain in power, beauty and holiness. He says in ode on the Intimations of Immortality: To me the meanest flower that blows can give Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears. He regards Nature as the nurse of his moral being and worships it as a teacher, guide and friend. He describes Nature in such a way as to suggest that nature can mould and ennoble human life. He places nature on a high pedestal. Nature is like a goddess who compels admiration and worship. Wordsworth’s philosophy of Nature, being systematic, is based on some well-defined, fundamental principles. Nature is instinct with life. In other words, there is an indwelling spirit behind every flower, tree and river, and indeed every commonplace object of Nature. According to Wordsworth, Nature exercises a two fold influence upon man. It is to man first impute and then law. As an impute, she inspires the human mind; as a law, she restrains and chastens man’s thoughts and emotions. There is a pre-determined harmony between the Spirit of Nature and the mind of man. The deep and essential harmony between Man and Nature works
Open Document