ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -The subtitle of The Prelude is ‘Growth of a Poet’s Mind’. William Wordsworth (1770-1850) began writing his autobiographical blank verse epic in 1798, working on it intermittently until 1839. It was published posthumously in 1850.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Prelude, in full The Prelude, or Growth of a Poet’s Mind, autobiographical epic poem in blank verse by William Wordsworth, published posthumously in 1850. Originally planned as an introduction to another work, the poem is organized into 14 sections, or books. Wordsworth first began work on the poem in about 1798.

Detailed explanation-3: -An epic deals with actions, events and incidents, usually heroic or mythical. But “The Prelude” is not directly concerned with outward events, though they play their part. Its action takes place not in the outside world but in the poet’s mind. In fact, it is a modern epic.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Prelude may be classed somewhat loosely as an epic; it does not satisfy all the traditional qualifications of that genre. The epic is customarily defined as a long narrative poem which recounts heroic actions, commonly legendary or historical, and usually of one principal hero (from whence it derives its unity).

Detailed explanation-5: -The Prelude or, Growth of a Poet’s Mind; An Autobiographical Poem is an autobiographical poem in blank verse by the English poet William Wordsworth.