The Definition of the Poet in the Preface to the Lyrical Ballads
A poet is man "of more than unusual organic sensibility." But he is also a man of thought. His feelings are modified by his thoughts, he is able to connect one thought with another, and in this way to discover what is really important and worthwhile. Wordsworth's conception of the poet is essentially a man speaking to men. Secondly, he is a man who has a more lively sensibility. Thirdly, he has a greater imagination and therefore can feel or react emotionally to events and incidents which he ash not directly experienced. He is "affected by absent things as if they were present". Fourthly, he has a greater knowledge of the human soul and therefore comprehends the nature of passions that he has not experienced directly. Fifthly, he has a more comprehensive soul. Sixthly, he has a grater zest for life than an ordinary individual. He is man who has more pleasure in communicating joy to others. And lastly he is a man who has a greater power of expression and communication. This power results from having a more lively sensibility and is increased by constant practice. J.C Garrod says that as he writes, the poet relives through the whole experience once again in idealized form and the reader of poetry in turn so as he far may lives through the secondary experience of the poet's as he reads.
The poet perceives an organic unity in nature and man. He is a general benefactor, genial friend and companion.
H.W.Garrod comments on the poet that the poet thinks and feels in the spirit of human passion. In the spirit of them let there be no mistake, it is vain to think that we think and feel passionately for the purposes of poetic creation.
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