It is a Beauteous Evening, Calm and Free by William Wordsworth.

Summary

In this 'How to Tutors' video, the analysis of William Wordsworth's 'It is a beauteous evening, calm and free' delves into the Romantic poet's deep connection with nature and the divine. The sonnet's structure, unconventional rhyme scheme, and personification of the evening as a nun in prayer reveal the speaker's reverence for the natural world. The poem's themes—holiness of nature, childhood innocence, and the father-daughter bond—highlight the enduring presence of God in everyday life and the innate spirituality of children, offering a reflective and serene exploration of faith and the sublime.

Takeaways

• 🎓 William Wordsworth was a key figure in the Romantic Movement, known for his love of nature and its reflection in his poetry.
• 🌅 'It is a beauteous evening, calm and free' is a sonnet that portrays a serene evening and the speaker's interaction with nature and his daughter.
• 🌊 The poem uses religious overtones to describe the natural world, suggesting a divine presence within the beauty of the sunset and the sea.
• 👧 The speaker addresses a young girl, reflecting on the innocence and divine nature of children, and their intrinsic connection to nature and God.
• 📜 The sonnet structure is traditional with an octave and a sestet, but with an unconventional rhyme scheme, deviating from the Italian sonnet form.
• 🌈 Wordsworth's fascination with the innocence of children is highlighted, as he views their unspoiled connection to nature as a form of divine purity.
• 🌙 The poem's setting is a tranquil evening by the sea, serving as a backdrop for the speaker's contemplation of nature's holiness and God's presence.
• 📖 The analysis interprets the poem's themes, including the holiness of nature, childhood and faith, the father-daughter relationship, and the connection between nature and the divine.
• 🌟 The speaker uses vivid imagery and personification to describe the evening, linking the natural beauty to a divine creator and the eternal motion of the sea to God's power.
• 👨‍👧 Wordsworth's personal beliefs are reflected in the poem, suggesting that children possess a natural spirituality and a direct connection to God that adults may have lost.
• 📝 The video script serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the poem's themes, structure, poetic devices, and the deeper meanings behind Wordsworth's words.

Q & A

Who is William Wordsworth and what movement is he associated with?

William Wordsworth was a poet born in the United Kingdom in 1770 and died in 1850. He was one of the founders of the Romantic Movement in poetry, known for his love of nature and its reflection in his works.

What is the poem 'It is a beauteous evening, calm and free' about?

The poem is a reflection on nature and a conversation with the poet's daughter. It is suffused with religious overtones and explores the themes of nature's beauty, the divine, and the innocence of children.

What is the structure of the poem 'It is a beauteous evening, calm and free'?

The poem is a sonnet with 14 lines, grouped into two parts: the octave (first eight lines) and the sestet (last six lines). It features a thematic shift at the turn, marked by a change in rhyme pattern.

What is unconventional about the rhyme scheme of the poem?

The rhyme scheme of the poem is unconventional as it does not strictly follow the Italian sonnet form. While the octave rhymes a b b a a c c a, the sestet uses an unusual def DFE variation.

What is the significance of the poem's setting in relation to its themes?

The setting of a beautiful evening by the sea is significant as it inspires the speaker's reflections on the divine presence in nature and the innocence of a child. It prompts the speaker's thoughts on the eternal and the divine.

How does the poem use personification to convey its themes?

The poem uses personification to attribute human-like qualities to nature, such as the 'gentleness of Heaven' brooding over the sea, and the ocean making a 'sound like thunder', which helps to convey the themes of nature's divinity and power.

What is the significance of the 'mighty being' mentioned in the poem?

The 'mighty being' is a metaphorical reference to both the sea and God, suggesting that the sea's eternal motion is a manifestation of God's power and presence in nature.

How does the poem explore the theme of childhood innocence?

The poem explores the theme of childhood innocence through the speaker's address to a young girl, suggesting that her apparent lack of solemn thought does not diminish her divine nature. It implies that children possess a natural connection to the divine.

What is the meaning of 'Abraham's bosom' in the context of the poem?

'Abraham's bosom' is a metaphor referring to a place of comfort and divine presence, suggesting that the child is always in God's presence, even if she is not aware of it.

How does the poem's setting influence the speaker's perception of the divine?

The serene setting of the evening by the sea stirs the speaker's reverence for nature and the divine. The natural beauty of the sunset and the sea's sound are perceived as expressions of God's power and presence.

What poetic devices are used in the poem to enhance its themes?

The poem uses various poetic devices such as personification, metaphor, and simile to enhance its themes. For example, the sea is personified as a 'mighty being', and the child's closeness to God is metaphorically described as being in 'Abraham's bosom'.