-
Essay / William Wordsworth's Use of Figurative Language in Daffodils
In I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud and Surprised by Joy (also known as "Daffodils"), William Wordsworth uses figurative language to reveal that noticing the small Things in life can change a person's perspective. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essay I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud is a poem in which Wordsworth explains how easy it was for his loneliness to be gripped by the sight of beautiful daffodils. In the first stanza, the poet uses a simile to describe how alone he feels. Wordsworth feels “as if he wandered alone like a cloud.” He uses the clouds as a measure to represent his loneliness. The clouds are very far from the ground, so this is how he wants the reader to imagine his feelings. Suddenly, the speaker sees a field of “golden daffodils; at the edge of the lake, under the trees, floating and dancing in the wind” and his solitude is taken away from him in an instant. Wordsworth constantly uses personification to compare nature to humans and see how they can have the same effect. He is able to portray the idea that people are not the only thing that can brighten your day; that there are many other ways to cheer yourself up. Additionally, by realizing that people do not need companionship, the speaker is able to find pleasure in small, insignificant things. After seeing the daffodils, he explains that they are "stretched in an endless line." Wordsworth uses hyperbole to exaggerate the immense amount of cheerfulness that daffodils bring him. He reveals that his change in perspective has brought him enough happiness to last him a lifetime. Wordsworth then reveals that daffodils are as "continuous as the stars that shine and twinkle in the Milky Way." Through the use of a simile, the poet is able to show the reader how abundant and beautiful the flowers are. The fact that he compares such a simple view with a huge galaxy filled with stars shows how changing the way one sees things can have a significant impact on the way people perceive things. In the poem Surprised by Joy, the speaker has lost a companion who once played a very important role in their lives. He reveals that he feels empty, because "the best treasure of his heart was no more." He feels like his existence is no longer of any use because his most precious possession is no longer with him. Suddenly, the speaker finds himself “surprised by joy – impatient as the wind.” Even after everything he has been through, he is still able to find happiness. The poet was already convinced that nothing could cheer him up, but when he opened his eyes a little more, he was wrong. Even in the midst of darkness and loneliness, there is a way to get rid of discouragement. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, Wordsworth uses different types of figurative language, especially personification, to show the reader how nature has the ability to present a person with more than just beauty. Many people are blinded by the things they want to see, but welcoming new things could change their outlook on life in a positive way. Just letting in that little bit of hope and lowering the standards can teach you a lot about new ways of experiencing life's content..