The Prelude Notes

Extract from, The Prelude. By William Wordsworth. (1770-1850)

Who was William Wordsworth?

William Wordsworth was born 7th April 1770 in Cockermouth, Cumbria. His family was torn apart at a young age, his mother passing away when he was 8, and his father when he was 13. He and his siblings were split up, put into care of different relatives. He stayed with sister Dorothy, and moved to Sommerset. 

In 1802, when Wordsworth was much older. He married old childhood friend, Mary Hutchinson. During the next few years, Wordworth went through tradgedies. Two of his children died, his brother died at sea and his sister Dorothy suffered a mental breakdown. During this time also, Wordsworth went under political changes. He became more conservative due to the events undergoing in France with Napoleon Bonaparte taking over.

The Prelude

Themes:

Romanticism: An artistic, literay, musical and cultural movement which started in Europe, it was in its peak between 1800-1850. Examples of Romanticism are nature, myth and emotions. Shown in the Prelude through the constant speak of nature.

Self-Conflict: In which one person begins to feel certain, negative emotions towards themselves, usually whilst undergoing a traumatic event. Examples of Self-Conflict are suicidal thoughts, depression and mental illness. Shown in Prelude through the mentions of darkness and monstrous objects, which we would know as something not Nightmareish. 

Nature: Products of the earth. Examples of Nature include trees, plants and animals. Shown in the Prelude through the mentions of different products of nature, explained differently to how we know them. Link back to Romanticism and Self Conflict. 

Expectations vs Reality: The idea that things aren't always what they seem, the things you expect might not be the same as the reality of that situation. Examples of expections vs reality are, basing someones personality on appearance. Shown in The Prelude as we expect nature to be beautiful and relaxing, but in the poem it is portrayed as a nightmare and negative.

Key Quotations

"The horizon's utmost boundary; far above.

Was nothing but the stars and the grey sky."

The quotation suggests that Wordsworth is lonely. The words you can focus on are 'Nothing' 'Far' 'Above' 'Grey' and 'Utmost'. At this point in the poem, which is in lines 15-16, nature is still…