Wordsworth visited Tintern Abbey in 1793 at age 13 and again in 1798, writing this poem about the second visit. The poem reflects on the changes in nature and Wordsworth's relationship to it over the past five years. Wordsworth describes the natural beauty of the abbey grounds and how memories of this place sustained him in the intervening years. He expresses doubts about the meaning of his connection to nature as an adult compared to his youth, but ultimately reaffirms nature's role in his life. The poem examines themes of memory, mortality, and the spiritual aspects of nature.
Wordsworth visited Tintern Abbey in 1793 at age 13 and again in 1798, writing this poem about the second visit. The poem reflects on the changes in nature and Wordsworth's relationship to it over the past five years. Wordsworth describes the natural beauty of the abbey grounds and how memories of this place sustained him in the intervening years. He expresses doubts about the meaning of his connection to nature as an adult compared to his youth, but ultimately reaffirms nature's role in his life. The poem examines themes of memory, mortality, and the spiritual aspects of nature.
Wordsworth visited Tintern Abbey in 1793 at age 13 and again in 1798, writing this poem about the second visit. The poem reflects on the changes in nature and Wordsworth's relationship to it over the past five years. Wordsworth describes the natural beauty of the abbey grounds and how memories of this place sustained him in the intervening years. He expresses doubts about the meaning of his connection to nature as an adult compared to his youth, but ultimately reaffirms nature's role in his life. The poem examines themes of memory, mortality, and the spiritual aspects of nature.
Tintern Abbey is located in Tintern, Chepstow, Monmouthshire Wye Valley. It was
found in 1131 by the Cistercian order. The monastery came to its end durin the 1!3" by #irst $uppression Act of %in &enry VIII. The monastery was disbanded and all its oods became property of the state. Introduction to the 'omantic (eriod )nland and *ermany made up the stronest component of the 'omantic Mo+ement. The period started in 1,-. mar/ed by the publication of Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleride and ended in 1.30 with the &ymns to the 1iht by 1o+alis. The early part of this mo+ement is also coincides with the American 217763 and #rench 21,.-3 re+olutions and the Industrial 'e+olutions, which had a reat influence o+er this period 2'omanticism3. The /ey elements of 'omantic poetry are4 5awe of nature and the supernatural 5a+ersion to urban life and6 or industriali7ation 5spontaneous and free nature 2not prescribin to the classic rules of poetry3 5the importance of the indi+idual and the ordinary William Wordsworth 2, April 1,,8 9 03 April 1.!83 :Tintern Abbey; notes 5William Wordsworth was a ma<or )nlish 'omantic poet alon with $amuel Taylor Coleride, the two of whom are credited with startin the 'omantic Ae in )nlish literature. :A few Miles abo+e Tintern Abbey;, from Lyrical Ballads, which was co= authored with Coleride, was written in 1,-.. Wordsworth first +isited the Abbey in 1,-3 at the ae of 03. This poem recounts this second +isit in 1-.- with his sister >orothy 2Cantor, 088.3. The poem main themes are memories, mortality and familial lo+e. #irst stan7a 5Wordsworth uses the repetition of ?fi+e years@, ?fi+e summers@ and ?fi+e lon winters@ to emphasi7e the lapse of time since his last +isit. This repetition seems to point to reret, or to lonin o re+isit this site. >urin the time of his absence, the abbey seems to ha+e remained unchaned. In the description of the abbey, there is a miA of the wild 2e..4 the wood run wild3 and of tamed nature 2e..4 pastoral farms3 $hows the solitary nature of the woods 2the hermit sits alone3 (aints a picture of people communin with nature 2 +arant dwellers in the houseless woods3 $econd $tan7a The 1arrator departs from spea/in of the present moment to describe how the memory of the abbey has helped him sur+i+e the :lonely rooms; and :towns and cities. Bine 3,4 1ature is described in a reliious6 spiritual way usin +ocabulary related to spirituality. Bines 3-=C1 concern the $upernatural and mysteries that are /ey to the 'omantic period. Bines CC=!8 suest a bond with nature that will be with the narrator till his death. Third $tan7a Bines !"=!. The narrator personifies nature and addresses it by the name of the local ri+er 2Wye3. 'eturns to the present. Bines !-="1. &e starts to eApress doubt about the meanin of his relationship with nature. #ourth $tan7a Bines ,0=,!. &e spea/s of the inspiration he recei+ed from nature when he was youner. Bines .-=-,. The narrator spea/s of his present mature self, which is more sophisticated, but, at the same time, is troubled by the burden placed on him due to his new awareness +ersus the freedom he en<oyed in his youner days. Bines 18-=110. The narrator reaffirms his belief in natures and states the role of nature in his life. 2Could the nature in these lines also be referrin to the role of spirituality in a person@s lifeD3 #ifth $tan7a This stan7a focuses on death and dyin and ma/es a correlation between youth and wild passions. Bastly, in lines 1!"=1"8, the narrator eAplains that, in, future as he did durin his absence from the Abbey, he will /eep these imaes of nature to help him. Resources Photos: http466literaryi1088.wordpress.com608116816136maria=ra<ti/s=response=to=tintern=abbey6 Accessed -60C610 http466aliscot.com6ensenan7a6C8336romantic6tintern.htm Accessed -60C610 'omanticism. http466academic.broo/lyn.cuny.edu6enlish6melani6cs"6rom.html Accessed -60C610 Cantor, 'ebecca. *rade$a+er 2TM3 Classic1otes WordsworthEs (oetical Wor/s4 $tudy *uide 088., http466www.radesa+er.com6wordsworths=poetical=wor/s6study= uide6section!6 Accessed -60C610 Tintern Abbey : William Wordsworth - Summary and Critical Analysis. Fachelor and Masters http466www.bachelorandmaster.com6britishandamericanpoetry6tintern= abbey.html Accessed -60C610