In William Wordsworth’s piece “Preface to Lyrical Ballads”, he discusses how he views poetry, poets, and the importance of pure human emotion. He also explains why he wrote these poems, and why they were supposed to be so drastically different than the popular works of the time. As far as poets go, he believed they are capable of feeling emotion in a deeper way. And they don’t just experience these emotions, but can also call them back again to reflect on them at a later time. In doing so, these poets hold their lessons and experiences until they can put them into simple words for everyone to understand as well as appreciate. Wordsworth’s goal was to create a work of poetry that was unlike other previous, classical pieces. He wanted to create something for everyone to see as art. Something to appreciate, and be captivated by. By using what he called “the language of the common man”, Wordsworth crafted another realm of poetry. One filled with everyday vocabulary, one that burst with feeling, and one that a reader could embrace without confusion. 

Working with Wordsworth on some of these poems used in the “Lyrical Ballads” book, was Samuel Coleridge. In Coleridge’s piece titled: “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, he does use a ballad based structure. However, he does twerk it slightly to help with the rhyme scheme or to add emphasis to a specific line. I think it is interesting that he does follow the ballad scheme, yet the poem is literally a story being told. This was definitely influenced by the “Lyrical Ballad” pieces. But Wordsworth also contributed to this piece. The poem follows mostly iambic pentameter. It sounds pretty to read aloud. But the story brings you chills. This complete belief in nature and these powerful beings. Like Wordsworth, he uses religious references toward nature, but does so in a manner that strikes a human feeling and makes you really think.