AN ABSTRACT Of A CRITICAL STUDY OF THE SOHNETS OP WORDSWORTH Thesis Submitted For THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY of Aiigarh Muslim University, Aiigarh By P#P#S#CHAUHAN Prepared Under The Supervision Of Dr»0»p#Oovil Reader, Dept. of English, A#M#U.Aiigarh 1973 01 INTRODUCTION ^6 we all know each of the romantic poets of the early 19th century has to his credit tooth long and short poems whose prominent quality is lyricism of a higher order. On almost every individual poet quite a good number of full length studies have appeared offering illuminating and critical comments on the various aspects of his poetry. An amazing lacuna# however, exists in respect of their sonnets. No attempt however, has been made to study these sonnets either as individual contributions or as manifestations of a common outlook. Almost all the romantic poets tried their hands at the sonnet form but Wordsworth surp­ asses them all in sheer bulk as well as in variety of subject matter and treatment. An attempt has been made in this thesis to study these sonnets in the context of his other poetic works, in the context of the tradition of sonnet writing, and also as a type of lyric poetry existing in its own right. I have followed the chronological method in my work where ever possible because all his sonnets are not dated with precision and many remain undated. Their subject matter also overlaps and their boundaries are vague. I have divided the whole thesis into eight chapters. The scheme of chapter-division is as follows * CHAPTER-I THE SONNET AND WORDSWORTH Sonnet, a lyric poem of 14 lines and Italian in origin, was transplanted into England by Wyatt and Surrey who practised 2 it and experimented sdat with it till it underwent a process of radical modification in the hands of Shakespeare in the 16th century. But Milton in the 17th century practised the Italian pattern and Wordsworth in the 19th century followed the example of Milton, Though Wordsworth was considerably influenced by Milton in his sonnets, yet, in fact# he acknow­ ledged a greater debt than he actually owed. CHAPTER •» II '" ""'. ' •- *' i THE THEME OF LIBERTY AND THE SONNETS DEDICATED TO LIBERTY AND INDEPENDENCE The first group of sonnets under this head was born of the poetls* observations and reflections concerning the military adventures of Napoleon. The notes sounded in these sonnets are shame for England's weakness and vices, love for her and pride in her past, oppressive fear of the menace of Napoleon and heroic reaction, ardour for freedom of other nations and sympa­ thy for the heroes who died for the cause of freedom, The second group of sonnets was written on the progress of war against Napoleon. Wordsworth praises the valour of the fighting nations and their courageous people encouraging them to fight against injustice believing in their final victory, CHAPTER - III THE RIVER DUDDON In this series of 33 sonnets the poet traces the origin and progress of the river Duddon. This description of the river 3 is symbolic in character. Wordsworth likens the course of the river to the career of a writer. In following the river the poet follows the life of an individual and the life of the nation. The river is also a symbol of man's spirit as it emerges from the unknown, runs its earthly course, and merges again with the eternal, CHAPTER „ IV ECCLESIASTICAL SONNETS This series of 132 sonnets follows the Duddon Series and is complex in nature. Wordsworth divides the series in three parts. He undertakes to trace the history of the church of England from the introduction of Christianity into Britain down to his own times. Though hie sonnets are a versified chronicle, they have their social significance. They have a * message* for Britain. The monastic life though abused has its positive value. The clergy have a responsibility towards the nation which they should fulfil, Christianity is a civilizing agent and therefore should have a place in the individual life as well as national life, CHAPTER ~ V SONNETS WRITTEN DURING THE TOURS Wordsworth was very fond of travel and during the tours he wrote sonnets. Part I deals with sonnets written during the continental tour of 1820. Part II deals with sonnets written 4 during the revisit of Yarrow in the Autumn of 1831. Part III deals with sonnets composed during the tour in the summer of 1833. Part IV includes the sonnets written during the Italian tour of 1837, I have studied all these groups with a view tx> judging the growth of Wordsworth' s mind. CHAPTER - VI SONNETS UPON THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH TheAseries of 14 sonnets was suggested by the discussions in Parliament and elsewhere on the subject of the Punishment of Death. The abo life ion of the death penalty by the Parliament created fears in the mind of Wordsworth and it was in opposition to it that Wordsworth wrote this series. The poet is of the view that the guilty should not go unpunished, because if the guilty goes scot free, it will debase the general mind, weaken the zest and love in the heart of man for life and disturb the peace of the state. The poet favours the retention of the right of the State to punish the guilty to the extent of imparting him the punishment of death. CHAPTER - VII MISCELLANEOUS SONNETS In this chapter are included all sonnets under this head and a few others which are scattered over in other series where they do not form part of the main body of verses or sonnets. I have put them thematically and chronologically for a study under 5 three sul^heads - Part I Sonnets on names of persons and places* Part II Sonnets descriptive of nature, Part III General sonnets, CHAPTER - VIII IMAGERY AMD TECHNIQUE IN THE SONNETS OF WORDSWORTH A study of the sonnets of Wordsworth shows that symbols, metaphors and similes cross and rejcross. A greater number of images are from nature and a lesser number from man made stru­ cture. Natural images for him include forest,trees,meadows, flowers,birds,insects,stars, mountains and water, Among the man made structures are ruined castle, palace, church and chapels, In rhyme pattern he extends the practice of Milton and like his master divides the sonnet into octave and sestet but again like his master lets his capura< fall anywhere in the sonnet and he justifies it. He thinks of unity not of a solid structure but of a liquid form, CONCLUSION Wordsworth wrote 523 sonnets over a period of 50 years. It is a common place of criticism that after the 'Great decade* Wordsworth lost his poetic power but a study of his sonnets shows that it never completely deserted him, though it had declined. Apart from the period when he was at the acme of his poetic powers, we get glimpses of that power in some sonnets of the later period. In them there is profundity of thought and flow 6 of language. Such sonnets are a few In number. A study of his sonnets shows that they are not autobiographical in the sense in which the sonnets of Shakespeare ere. Wordsworth as a sonnet writer exercised a great influence over the sonnet writers of early Victorian period. Considered in the perspective of history, it can be said that Wordsworth took up the sonnet where Milton left off, and made it more roomy and flexible for purposes of self-expression. He further enlarged its scope by treating of a greater variety of subjects, of both permanent and ephemeral value. In respect of technique, he took greater freedom, almost behaving like a libertine, violating the conventional rhyme pattern rather wilfully to suit his requirements. As a whole, leaving sonnets of inferior quality we have a sizable residue where the poet is capable of rising to great heights and impart­ ing the touch of the master to his work. In the history of the English sonnet Wordsworth* s place is, therefore, secure. A Critical Study Of The Sonnets Of Wordsworth P.P.S. Chauhan o tV T1360 Tis6o 2 6 JUHfllS ?e*J in Coxupmtfi CHECKED 1996.^7 & critical Study of the Sonnets of Wordsworth Ph.D. Thesis P. P. 8,Chauhan 1973 MUSLIM UNIVERSITY ALIGARH Prepared tinder the supervision of Dr.O.P.Govil, Reader,Dept. of English, &.M.U. ,AHgarh. CONTENTS Ezas. Introduction i - iii Chapter % The Sonnet and Wordsworth 1 » 18 Chapter II The Theme of Liberty and the 19 - 44 Sonnets dedicated to Liberty and Independence Chapter III The River Duddon 45-68 Chapter IV Ecclesiastical Sonnets 69 - 100 Chapter V Sonnets during the Tours 101 - 138 Chapter VI Sonnets upon the Punishment 139 - 14S of Death Chapter VII Miscellaneous Sonnets 146 - 184 Chapter VIII Imagery and Technique in the 185 - 202 Sonnets of Wordsworth Conclusion 203 - 213 Select Bibliography 214 - 224 ******* AQ0J0WLEDGEMENT3 In procuring material for my thesis I had to go through files of old periodicals and publications and explore the dust-laden stacks of various libraries at Delhi,Calcutta and Aligarh. I am beholden to the Librarian,High Commissioner for India, London, for sending the photostat copies of several rare documents* I am also thankful to the librarian, M.M.College,Ifedinagar who helped me in getting the books on loan from various Indian and foreign university libraries* I am also indebted to a number of scholars who have helped me in various ways in preparing this thesis* I am deeply obliged to Prof. A*A*Ansari,Head of the Sept.of English,Aligarh laxsllm University, I>r.H.B.Sharma,Director Hindi Insti­ tute, Agra University, Dr.D.K.Chopra,Professor Emeritus, Ifeerut University, Prof* P*S.Shastri, Head of the Sept.