Final answer:
In William Wordsworth's poem "The World Is Too Much with Us," the line in question reflects a criticism of society's materialistic preoccupations that lead to a disconnect from nature, resulting in the waste of human potential. Wordsworth expresses a desire for a more profound connection with the natural world and the spiritual fulfillment it once offered.
Step-by-step explanation:
The line "The world is too much with us; late and soon," from William Wordsworth's poem, conveys a sense that humanity is overly preoccupied with materialistic concerns, such as 'getting and spending,' which leads to a disconnection from the natural world that is inherently ours.
This preoccupation results in a waste of our innate powers and abilities, as we fail to appreciate and resonate with the natural beauty and rhythms of the earth. Wordsworth is a well-known Romantic poet who emphasizes the significance of a deep, spiritual connection with nature, and in this poem, he mourns the loss of that connection and implies that at one point, humanity was in harmony with the natural world.
In later stanzas, Wordsworth expresses a desire to return to a more primitive life closer to nature, indicating his preference for a belief system that would allow him to see divinity in the natural world, reminiscent of ancient Greek religions and mythology. He laments the modern existence that has left us 'forlorn' and out of tune with the surrounding natural beauty.