12 episodes

Can a location inspire great poetry? To what extent can a person’s environment influence their art? After leaving the area as a child the Romantic poet William Wordsworth returned to the Lake District and remained there from 1799 to 1802. Surrounded by scenery he cherished Wordsworth composed some of his best poetry in Dove Cottage, but the building was also the residence of friend Thomas De Quincy whom documented his time with the Wordsworth’s as well as his own experiences in the property.

This material forms part of The Open University course A230 Reading and studying literature.

Wordsworth, De Quincey and Dove cottage - for iPad/Mac/PC The Open University

    • Education

Can a location inspire great poetry? To what extent can a person’s environment influence their art? After leaving the area as a child the Romantic poet William Wordsworth returned to the Lake District and remained there from 1799 to 1802. Surrounded by scenery he cherished Wordsworth composed some of his best poetry in Dove Cottage, but the building was also the residence of friend Thomas De Quincy whom documented his time with the Wordsworth’s as well as his own experiences in the property.

This material forms part of The Open University course A230 Reading and studying literature.

    • video
    Being in the lake district

    Being in the lake district

    How Wordsworth time in this area influenced his work.

    • 5 min
    Transcript -- Being in the lake district

    Transcript -- Being in the lake district

    How Wordsworth time in this area influenced his work.

    • video
    Home at Grasmere

    Home at Grasmere

    Extract from the poem, as well an exploration of how it was developed.

    • 2 min
    Transcript -- Home at Grasmere

    Transcript -- Home at Grasmere

    Extract from the poem, as well an exploration of how it was developed.

    • video
    Finding Inspiration

    Finding Inspiration

    By dissecting Wordsworth’s manuscripts and Dorothy’s journals we can see what experiences had the biggest impact on his poetry.

    • 3 min
    Transcript -- Finding Inspiration

    Transcript -- Finding Inspiration

    By dissecting Wordsworth’s manuscripts and Dorothy’s journals we can see what experiences had the biggest impact on his poetry.

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