Final answer:
The poem "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" by William Wordsworth uses personification, notably when describing the cloud's loneliness and the daffodils' dance. It is likely a lyrical ballad, with Wordsworth as the speaker and the reader as the audience. The poem's simple language and nature theme reflect Romantic ideals and Wordsworth's poetic objectives.
Step-by-step explanation:
In "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" by William Wordsworth, the use of personification is evident. The poem speaks of the speaker wandering as lonely as a cloud, a simile that also suggests personification since it attributes human qualities (loneliness) to a cloud. Additionally, the daffodils are described as engaging in a 'sprightly dance,' suggesting human-like movement and behavior, which is another example of personification.
As for which poem might be a preference, it can be subjective and vary for each reader. However, many are drawn to Wordsworth's poem for its vivid imagery and harmonious blend of nature with human emotion. The poem could be considered a lyrical ballad, with Wordsworth himself often taking inspiration from nature throughout his long walks in the countryside. The language he uses is simple and reflective of ordinary speech, which was one of his poetic goals.
The speaker in the poem is Wordsworth, who is reminiscing about a past experience, and the person being spoken to could be interpreted as the reader or perhaps the poet speaking to himself. In any case, the poem is a meditation on the beauty of nature and the joy it can bring to the human spirit.
Comparing and contrasting multiple poems serves as a valuable exercise to understand different poets' styles and thematic choices, as shown in the assignment's direction to compare works like Wordsworth's to others.