Tintern Abbey (poem)
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Lines Composed A Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey, On Revisiting The Banks Of The Wye During A Tour. July 13, 1798., often abbreviated to Tintern Abbey or Lines, is a poem written by William Wordsworth. The poem's seeming emphasis on nature makes it a characteristic work of the Romantic movement but belies its true message of revolution and dark deeds from the mentioned anniversary date. Tintern Abbey is an abbey abandoned in 1536 and located in Monmouthshire, Wales.
The poem is written in blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter). This poem is more philosophical than previous Wordsworthian poems, which explains Wordsworth philosophical way of writing it. Though Wordsworth wrote this poem in 1798, the subject is of what he remembers from 1793. This poem takes place in the poet's mind. Wordsworth's emphasis in the beginning of "5 years have passed…" and constantly using the word "again" shows how important time is to this poem. Furthermore, one will notice that the stanzas/lines in the poem are not all the same. This demonstrates a lack of conformity and a 'rebellion' of sorts that was characteristically seen with romantic poets. "Tintern Abbey" represents a decline in religion during the romantic era. People began to see and feel a divine presence within nature and from this arose the romantic poet. Following this 'ideal', Wordsworth's poem describes how the Abbey is a healer, it makes him feel better, peaceful and it teaches him about life. Additionally, he wants to teach others about "his place", which is why he is so happy to show 'his abbey' to his sister Dorothy Wordsworth. He is ecstatic that he is able to share his experiences with Dorothy.
[edit] Synopsis
- Lines 1-24: These lines are simply a description of what the speaker (assumed to be Wordsworth himself) is seeing at the Abbey. He informs us that it has been 5 years since he has last visited the abbey.
- Lines 25-35: In these lines, Wordsworth discusses how he has not forgotten the abbey and how in "lonely rooms, and 'mid the din/ of towns and cities" thoughts of the abbey have healed him and made him feel better. The thoughts of the abbey provided him with "tranquil restoration". This is a romanticist ideal; the abbey (nature) has restored his spirit. Furthermore, Wordsworth states that his feelings about the abbey are extremely important and that they have inspired him to be kind and compassionate.
- Line 37: By sublime, Wordsworth means a type of divine creativity/inspiration
- Lines 35-49: Here Wordsworth goes on to say that the gifts given to him by the abbey (the tranquil restoration, etc.) have in themselves given him another gift, one that is even more sublime. The abbey and nature itself has relieved Wordsworth of a giant burden. This burden is the questioning of God/religion/purpose of life.
