Essential Wordsworth

The introduction by Seamus Heaney highlights the complexity of Wordsworth's poetry, showcasing his ability to merge emotional depth with intellectual rigor, psychological insight, and political consciousness. Heaney compares Wordsworth to Yeats, noting their unique blend of qualities that shape modern poetry. Wordsworth is portrayed as a pivotal figure in literary evolution, emphasizing his role as a self-explorer and a theorist, with his 1802 preface to Lyrical Ballads serving as a foundational text in understanding his contributions.