Compare and Contrast the Poetry of William Wordsworth and Charles Pierre Baudelaire

Introduction

William Wordsworth and Charles Pierre Baudelaire were influential poets from different
eras and cultural backgrounds. Wordsworth is mainly associated with the Romantic period in
England, while Baudelaire is mainly associated with Symbolism, one of the most influential
poets of the French literary movement. Despite the differences in their styles and thematic
concerns, both poets were deeply influenced by their personal lives and the societal changes
occurring during their lifetimes. This paper compares and contrasts the two poets, including their
life experiences, eras they lived, their poetry and artwork in different aspects as well as the
factors that influenced them in their poetry journey.

Personal Lives of William Wordsworth and Charles Pierre Baudelaire

William Wordsworth

William Wordsworth was born in 1770 and died in 1850. He was a prominent English
poet of the Romantic era. His personal life and societal events when his work was created greatly
influenced his poetry (Neth, 2023).

Personal Life of Wordsworth

Wordsworth was born in the Lake District of England and spent much of his childhood
there. His mother died when he was eight years old. Wordsworth attended boarding school in
Hawkshead, where he received a classical education. In 1791, he graduated from He later joined
St. John's College, Cambridge, where he graduated in 1791. Then, he traveled to France, where

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he fell in love with Annette Vallon. They had a daughter together with his love and named her
Caroline.
In 1795, Wordsworth met Samuel Taylor Coleridge and became close friends and
collaborators. Together, they published the famous poetry collection, "Lyrical Ballads," in 1798,
which marked the beginning of the Romantic movement in English literature. Wordsworth
continued to publish poetry throughout his life and was appointed Poet Laureate in 1843.

Society and Happenings During Wordsworth’s Lifetime

The events and changes greatly influenced Wordsworth's journey in poetry in society
during his time. The Romantic movement reacted against the Enlightenment and the Industrial
Revolution, emphasizing reason and science over emotion and nature. Wordsworth celebrated
nature, the individual, and the imagination.
Wordsworth's poetry was also influenced by the political events of his time. The French
Revolution began in 1789 and was a major turning point in European history, and Wordsworth
initially supported the revolutionary cause (Ostas, 2022). However, he later became disillusioned
with the violence and terror that followed.
Wordsworth's poetry reflects his interest in social justice and sympathy for the poor and
oppressed. He wrote several poems about the conditions of working-class people, including "The
Ruined Cottage" and "The Old Cumberland Beggar."
Generally, William Wordsworth's personal life and societal events greatly influenced his
poetry. His love of nature, his interest in social justice, and his experiences during the French
Revolution all contributed to the themes and style of his poetry.

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Charles Pierre Baudelaire

Charles Pierre Baudelaire was a French poet, essayist, and art critic. He was born in 1821
and died in 1867. He is famous for his poetry collections, especially "Les Fleurs du Mal" (The
Flowers of Evil), published in 1857.

Personal Life of Charles Pierre Baudelaire

Baudelaire is famously remembered for his bohemian lifestyle, love of art and literature,
and struggles with addiction. His strong relationship and attachment with his mother greatly
influenced his journey in poetry. His mother was famously known for her unconventional and
strong-willed personality (Egbunike et al., 2022). He was also influenced by his experiences
living in the rapidly changing city of Paris.

Society and Happenings During Baudelaire’s Lifetime

During his lifetime, France underwent significant social and political changes. The 19th
century was a time of great upheaval, with the Industrial Revolution leading to rapid
urbanization and the growth of a new middle class. Baudelaire was among various artists and
writers who reacted to these dynamics, especially by rejecting traditional values and exploring
new forms of expression. His poems focused mainly on these changes in the region and the
social lives of people in general.
In addition, France experienced poli