Poetry - the prelude

Question 1

What is the linked poem and how are they connected?

Answer 1

Both “The Prelude” and “The Destruction of Sennacherib” explore the power of nature, although this is achieved through different ways. In the extract from “The Prelude”, nature is an intimidating force which challenges the speaker’s sense of control. Whereas, in “The Destruction of Sennacherib”, nature is a force of divine retribution.

Question 2

Who’s the author?

Answer 2

William Wordsworth

Question 3

When was it written?

Answer 3

Originally written in 1798 but rewritten and published in 1850. Romantic era.

Question 4

What’s it’s narrative perspective and why?

Answer 4

First person - gives an insight into this individual’s thoughts and feelings, magnifies the intimate spiritual journey.

Question 5

What’s it’s rhyme scheme and why?

Answer 5

Blank verse - free to express all thoughts and feelings.

Question 6

What’s the form?

Answer 6

Blank verse with 10 syllables per line symbolises organised thoughts. One long continuous stanza emphasising the overwhelming power of nature or his freedom of expression.

Question 7

Lots of enjambment

Answer 7

Nature has no end, everlasting power. OR. Lots of unanswered questions which magnifies the supernatural.

Question 8

What’s the context?

Answer 8

Romantic poet.

Question 9

led by her

Answer 9

The personification of nature creates an ominous and mysterious tone and it immediately makes the audience question who she is. One interpretation is that she is Mother Nature, nurturing and caring for the whole world, an appropriate perspective as Wordsworth was a romantic poet. She seems powerful and entrancing as she encourages the speaker to blindly follow her.

Question 10

troubled pleasure

Answer 10

This oxymoron insinuates that he is trespassing on nature’s secrets and feels no remorse. This paints the speaker as arrogant and overconfident, believing he’s in control over nature.

Question 11

I dipped my oars into the silent lake

Answer 11

Again, this alludes to his interference in nature.

Question 12

‘my boat went heaving through the water like a swan’

Answer 12

The juxtaposition between ‘heave’ and ‘swan’, evokes confusion within the audience as something elegant and graceful is being interrupted by an unnatural force (the boat). This adds to the idea of the speaker interfering in nature.

Question 13

grim shape towered up between me and the stars

Answer 13

This imagery symbolises nature’s attack back at the speaker, taking ultimate control through intimidation. There’s a semantic field of power.