Comparing R.S. Thomas and William Wordsworth

Comparing R.S. Thomas and William Wordsworth

Two poets who wrote about similar subjects were R.S Thomas and William

Wordsworth. Their poems were often based on scenic areas and human

beings. The difference between the two poets was they had an entirely

different view of the certain topics. This enabled them to have

different styles of writing.

R.S Thomas was a welsh vicar born in Cardiff in 1913. He studied

theology at the University College of north Wales. He then followed on

to study at St. Michaels College, llandaff. After ordination in the

church of Wales in 1827, he worked in rural parishes. Most of his work

was set in Wales.

William Wordsworth was educated at St. John's College, Cambridge

University. He had a love of nature as a youth. He often visited

places known for their scenic beauty. He was one of the first romantic

British poets.

R.S Thomas showed life in a sorrowful manner. He hardly used admirable

language to explain life. He preferred using realistic poetry to show

the meaning of life. His writing reflects his child hood. This relates

to the imagery he gained from the farmers on the farm. His work was

also emphasised based on the harsh life in Wales. Some think he fails

to recognise the good in things. He wrote realistically rather than

passionately. Thomas wrote in the 20th century.

Wordsworth's works portrays some kind of fantasy world. He wrote

during the 1800 and 1900's. He is the opposite of Thomas because he

only sees the good in things. His work was influenced by the beautiful

scenes he had excursions to as a child. A Romantic poet wrote poems

which are calm and meaningful. For example, he wrote ...

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...ems as this can be seen in Wordsworth's poem 'The solitary

Reaper'. She is a labourer in a field and this work in reality is very

hard, back-breaking work. But Wordsworth does not see this and his

romantic style, he beautifies the poem destroying any sense of

harshness to be found. With Thomas however, it can be seen that he

views the harshness and reality of life giving his poetry a more

realistic touch.

I prefer reading Thomas' poems because these topics actually are

involved in my life. I, like many others have to see people suffer. We

see tramps on the streets and to me this is a distressing thought.

Wordsworth over exaggerates to this I do not agree. When he says that

the view on Westminster Bridge is the best around the world, I do not

agree. I have been and heard of many places which are better in my

view.