In "Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey", William Wordsworth asserts the timeless healing power of nature. Even distant memories of scenic beauty and of the feelings evoked help him to face the heavy and weary weight / Of all this unintelligible world with a lighter heart (lines 39-40). Compare and contrast this view with that of Christianity.
William Wordsworth’s wonderful poem explores the beauty of this scenic spot in Monmouthshire, Wales where this ruined abbey was abandoned in 1536. Wordsworth indulges in the beauty of nature and observes the intrinsic magnificence of this incredible spot which is full of ghosts of the past.
The poem is full of recollections and nostalgia and is, in a sense the views and philosophies of Wordsworth with regard to nature. At times one is drawn into the creative descriptions of the beauty spots which are full of witty comparisons but in a way this is a heart on a sleeve poem demonstrating the inner power of Wordsworth’s writing.
The River Wye is a central part of the whole narrative and Wordsworth takes a different angle to proceedings as he seems to be conversing with the river itself. There is also a sense of conversation with nature as Wordsworth seems to take the poetry to another plane as he espouses on the incredible beauty of his surroundings.
Wordsworth’s relationship with his past lover is also an important part of the narrative as it shows that he was still haunted by this episode. So in a sense the poem is a recollection of past ordeals and experiences with the abbey remaining the centrepiece of it all. The poet becomes a conversationalist delving deep into the philosophical conundrums of society culminating in a glorious ode to nature and its incredible beauty.
Explain how the character of Hedda in "Hedda Gabler" by Henrik Ibsen can be seen as a victim of the clash between romantic illusions and realism.
Hedda Gabler is one of the greatest plays ever written and focuses on the simple relationship between a man and a woman. Gabler is a difficult character and she is made to face the big questions in life especially when she finds her husband wanting in certain aspects but seems to be fulfilled by her lover in others. She seems to be quite a scheming personality and the disastrous end which culminates the play is probably one of the most exciting in literature.
Although there are some romantic allusions in the play, the main point seems to be that of realism. Gabler is driven by an instinct for survival in the way that she encourages her lover Lovberg to commit suicide so as to secure the academic future of her and her husband. However events take a nasty turn when Gabler discovers that Lovberg had indeed killed himself with the feeling of guilt permeating all her surroundings. This situation could be taken as a commentary on today’s society where success and achievement is everything and there is no room for sentiment or sympathy in the struggle for survival.
Hedda Gabler ends up killing herself so although many describe the character as scheming and evil, in the end she is not as heartless as one might assume. She is caught up in a maelstrom of deceit and hate but the eventual emotion is one of pity and remorse. Ibsen is masterful in creating a situation where conflicting emotions are felt on the life of Gabler and the play is incredibly powerful in its own right.
References:
Wordsworth William; Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey
Ibsen H; Hedda Gabler, 1891
