“The Daffodils”

                                    

      

                      

                   “Daffodils” is a lyric poem by William Wordsworth. It is Wordsworth’s most famous work.The poem was inspired by an event on 15 April 1802, in which Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy came across a “long belt” of daffodils. Written some time between 1804 and 1807 , it was first published in 1807 in Poems in Two Volumes, and a revised version was published in 1815.

                 Imagery is one of the main poetic devices that helped determine the theme of the poem “Daffodils”. William Wordsworth was a romantic poet who had the great talent of imagery. Wordsworth’s happy life finished after the death of his parents, so he looked to nature as a source of comfort and escape. Nature had a great impact on his imagination and the way he viewed life. Wordsworth wrote about his feelings through poetry using imagery, giving us a description of his passion and his deep emotions for nature. Wordsworth use of imagery helps the reader imagine everything he is describing in the poem. The way he describes his surrounding “Continuous as the stars that shine and twinkle on the milky way” or “Beside the lake, beneath the trees, fluttering and dancing in the breeze.” Make it a very realistic and relatable poem to read, and enjoy.

                 “The Daffodils” touches upon the subject of loneliness–a sentiment commonly felt at this time of year. However, Wordsworth advises his audience that it is possible to relish in this feeling, as one must only be reminded of its value. In other words, the “bliss of solitude” can be found by taking pause to appreciate what one encounters, alone. The cloud could be seen as lonely, but could also be seen as free. Free to gaze upon dancing daffodils; free to find other pleasures previously hidden by the distraction of companionship.