Wordsworth's "Daffodils"- what lies behind the world's most famous poem?
"I wandered lonely as a cloud"- Wordsworth's "Daffodils" poem.
William Wordsworth's poem, Daffodils, was written just half a mile from my home.
Often known by its first line "I wandered lonely as a Cloud" the poem Daffodils has been learnt by children for generations. Many only know the first verse of Daffodils, but the whole poem is beautiful and evocative. I live in a house owned by Wordsworth, just half a mile from Dove Cottage Grasmere where Wordsworth wrote this wonderful peom, so I feel a particular bond with "Daffodils" which I'd like to share with you.
Daffodils are a sign of hope that the winter is over and summer is coming.
The poem, Daffodils was composed in 1804, two years after Wordsworth saw the flowers while walking by Ullswater on a stormy day with Dorothy, his sister. Wordsworth's inspiration for the poem came from an account of the daffodils on Ullswater written by Dorothy.
Dorothy Wordsworth in her journal entry for 15 April 1802 describes how the daffodils 'tossed and reeled and danced, and seemed as if they verily laughed with the wind, that blew upon them over the lake.' Wordsworth published his poem, " I wandered lonely as a Cloud,", Daffodils, in 1807.
Wordsworth later altered the poem Daffodils, and his second version, published in 1815, is the one widely known today.
The daffodils that William and Dorothy saw were the small, wild daffodils that grow in many places in the Lake District. There are lots of places where you can still see these beautiful little flowers- in fact I'm lucky enough to have a mass of little wild daffodils in my garden at White Moss House Grasmere.
Daffodils have become the symbol of the Lake District. In spring daffodils are found everywhere. Many daffodils have been planted on verges and roadsides for visitors to enjoy. There are many different varieties of daffodils to see. Visitors flock to Lake District at Easter to see the daffodils.
Let's look at Wordsworth's poem, and then see where we can look at the daffodils.
All photos are my own, or David Willis at Cumbria Tourism, and courtesy of flickr They are not for reuse. though you are very welcome to pin them on Pinterest.
Daffodils, by William Wordsworth
I wandered lonely as a cloud.....
"DAFFODILS" BY WILLIAM WORDSWORTH
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in a sprightly dance
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed-and gazed-but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought;
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude
And then my heart with pleasure fills
And dances with the daffodils.
Do you feel inspired by Daffodils to read more William Wordsworth? - Should everyone have a book of William Wordsworth's Poetry?
The poems of William Wordsworth, including Daffodils.
Treat yourself to this book, and take time to browse at leisure through Wordsworth's Daffodils and other poems.
This excellent book can be bought now, from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk.
UK readers can click through this link
The Major Works: Including The Prelude (Oxford World's Classics) to buy from Amazon.co.uk
Just about the best and most comprehensive book of Wordsworth's poetry, including Daffodils.
Wordsworth wrote Daffodils at Dove Cottage Grasmere
Dove Cottage Grasmere is where Wordsworth wrote Daffodils. Their website is a great resource of information about all things Wordsworth.
There is news about all their exhibitions and events as well.
Wordsworth's Lake District is also a good source of information on Wordsworth, his homes, and the area he lived in.It is all my own work- I live half a mile from Dove Cottage.
You can stay for a holiday or vacation in another Lake District cottage, but with modern facilities just half a mile up on the hillside from Dove Cottage . It's called Brockstone Grasmere Holiday Cottage . We own and rent his lovely cottage.
Here are more pages that I've written about my Lake District home
William Wordsworth's Daffodils
William Wordsworth's poem, Daffodils, was written just half a mile from my home. Often known by its first line "I wandered lonely as a Cloud" the p...
Wordsworth's Lake District.
I live in a house owned by William Wordsworth, close to Dove Cottage Grasmere where Wordsworth wrote his most famous poems, including "Daffodils" ....
My home, White Moss House, and our rental cottage, Brockstone, are in the heart of daffodil country. - White Moss House, owned by William Wordsworth, is in the
This is the Lake District, home of Wordsworth, famous for it's spring daffodils.You can stay at our wonderful rental cottage, Brockstone. The links are on this page.
Want to know more about William Wordsworth after reading Daffodils? - Here are some books that would make good Christmas gifts.
I've chosen a variety of books including poems and biographies.
The biographies of both William and Dorothy are well written and easy to read.
I've also suggested Dorothy Wordsworth's Journal- it's a fascinating insight about William Wordsworth, and their friends, including Coleridge and De Quincy.- so down to earth.
Dorothy's journal is fascinating.
The everyday life of the great poet, as chronicled by his sister. Fascinating.
Let's get back to William Wordsworth's poem, Daffodils.
My favourite verse is the last verse.
Many people only know the first verse of the poem, but the last is my favourite-
"When oft upon my couch I lie,
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye,which is the Bliss of Solitude....."
I love the expression, "Bliss of Solitude. "
Buy your daffodils from ebay . - Be inspired by daffodils!
There are lots of daffodils on ebay right now. Time to plant your daffodils bulbs.
Walk round Rydal Water and go past Wordsworth's home, Rydal Mount
Rydal Water Walk.
This walk round the lovely lake of Rydal Water, in England's Lake District, takes most people about 2 hours. It takes in some of the most beautiful scenery i...
Find out about the local Lake District sheep, the unique Herdwicks
Herdwick sheep , the Lake District sheep.
Herdwick sheep are the sheep of Cumbria, in the Northwest corner of England. The Lake District is the most famous part of Cumbria, loved by visitors for its ...
For more information about Daffodils and William Wordsworth , here are some useful links. - Wordsworth and daffodils
Here are more links to sites that wil tell you more about the Wordsworths and Daffodils.
- Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum
Dove Cottage Grasmere is where Wordsworth wrote Daffodils. The comprehensice Dove Cottage website tells you all about William Wordsworth, Dorothy Wordsworth, Daffodils, and much more. This is a great resource for Wordsworth fans.
- Wikipedia on Daffodils
See what Wiki has to say about Daffodils.
- Rydal Mount, where Wordsworth lived in his later years
The lovely Rydal Mount was a step up from the humble Dove Cottage. Wordsworth lived his later life here, and died here.
- Great books about the Lake District for your Kindle.
Here's a selection of ebooks that you can download to your Kindle. My choice of the best Kindle books for you.
Analysis of the poem, "Daffodils" by William Wordsworth - !I wandered lonely as a cloud" , Wiiliam Wordsworth
We can read a poem such as Wordsworth's "Daffodils" and simply enjoy it, bit, as we remember from school, sometime it's good to hear what other think and discuss the poem.
HJere are some good link to read analaysis of "Daffodils" by William Wordsworth
Some useful articles about the poem.
Is the Wordsworth Daffodil under threat?
It has been suggested that this beautiful little flower is under threat from more modern varieties.
The Wordsworth Daffodil is the species "narcissus pseudonarcissus".
Here is an article from The Daily Telepgraph 2002 which spelled out the threat to this native variety.
In 2013, there is still this concern- we must be vigilant!
The Friends of Grasmere Daffodil Garden
In the middle of Wordsworth's home village of Grasmere, a peaceful memorial garden
The Friends of Grasmere founded this lovely little garden in Grasmere, where people who want to leave a memory of themselves or a friend can sponsor planting daffodils.
It is a charity, and the money raised supports local causes.
It's a lovely idea, that may interest you.