Lyrical Ballads, With a Few Other Poems (1798)

"Lyrical Ballads, With a Few Other Poems" by William Wordsworth is a pivotal collection of poetry from the late 1700s that is the foundation of English Romanticism. The collection uncovers the feelings, lives, and adventures of everyday people, using simple language suitable for all, breaking away from the fancy writing of the past. The writers try to create a greater understanding of nature and what it means to be human through their poems. The beginning reveals the purpose and methods used in the poems, intending to play with everyday language while showing human feelings naturally. The beginning then talks about the different poems in the collection, such as one about an old sailor who tells terrifying stories of his time at sea, and another about a poor lady whose choices cause strange results, introducing readers to stories that show how people and nature are connected, as well as the ups and downs of life.