Final answer:
Tintern Abbey is a real location in Wales that inspired Wordsworth's poem examining the stages of nature philosophy. The poem reflects a Romantic appreciation of the natural world, contrasting with human concerns, and explores the sensory experience, emotional connection, and reflective appreciation leading to philosophical insight into human existence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tintern Abbey is located on the bank of the River Wye in Monmouthshire, southeastern Wales, UK. It serves as the inspiration for William Wordsworth's poem "Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey." When analyzing the poem to identify the four stages of nature philosophy that Wordsworth presents, we must closely examine the relationship between humans and nature as depicted in the poem and the Romantic ideals it embodies.
Wordsworth's poems typically depict nature positively, often showing a symbiotic relationship between humans and the natural world. This is in keeping with the Romantic period's emphasis on the individual's experience of the sublime in nature. Wordsworthian philosophy of nature involves several stages: the sensory experience of nature, emotional and spiritual connections formed with it, reflective appreciation of its moral lessons, and, finally, the philosophical interpretation of these observations within the context of human existence.
The words 'Nature' and 'Sea' are capitalized in the poem to indicate their substantial importance in Wordsworth's worldview. Nature takes on a nearly divine significance in the poem, being a source of wisdom and inspiration. Through his walks in the countryside, Wordsworth found a closeness with nature that translates into his poetry. Other capitalized words might include 'Earth' and 'City,' indicating significant aspects of experience in the poem.
Although Sonnet Composed Upon Westminster Bridge at first doesn't appear to be a typical Romantic poem, due to its focus on a cityscape, Wordsworth still manages to convey the romantic idealization of nature and its beauty. He describes the city as if it were part of the natural world, bathed in the morning light, and still carries traces of Romanticism in its language and imagery.
It is apparent that not only does Wordsworth separate 'the world' from 'Nature' but also sees them as distinct entities, with 'the world' often representing human concerns and flaws contrasted with the purity and truth of 'Nature.' Therefore, exploring the stages of nature philosophy in Wordsworth's Tintern Abbey reveals much about the poet's relationship with the natural world and his Romantic ideals.