The Paradox of Wordsworth

"Wordsworth - stupendous genius! damned fool!" – Byron

Wordsworth was Britain's Poet Laureate from 1843 until his death in 1850. It’s hard to find criticisms of his work since he was held in such high regard.

“To Wordsworth's contemporaries, his very phrase "similitude in dissimilitude" (from the Preface to Lyrical Ballads) would have been immediately recognizable in relation to debates about wit and humor.” (Bevis page 148)

“Speaking of Wordsworth's reception by the critics, William Jerdan thought it odd that the poet was often "held up as a Zany with the cap and bells" even as he was "worshipped as an exalted Genius", (Bevis page 149) A Zany, being a clown, makes this an odd paradox indeed. But many a creative person can be described as such though with not as strong language. Eccentric is an acceptable word in modern day terms. Though this descriptive may not be applied to Wordsworth’s life, it perhaps was more appropriate for his work. The poetry of Wordsworth may contain this paradox more than the artist himself.



Works cited:

Bevis, Matthew. "Wordsworth's Folly." Wordsworth Circle 43.3 (2012): 146-151. MLA
International Bibliography. Web. 22 Apr. 2013.