English Literature

Among all the periods in the history of man, there is perhaps none other that best describes the word transition than that of the 17th century. This era is a time in history that underwent major changes both in the fields of science and philosophy. In fact, some historians view this period as a landmark in science particularly because this field was not truly recognized before. Century geniuses such as Isaac Newton were often referred to as natural philosophers primarily because the concept of science never existed for most part of the period.

The entirety of 17th century brought about a revolution in science. This is the period when new ideas about chemistry, human anatomy, physics, astronomy, and other sciences started to emerge that laid the foundation of modern science. These advancements of course also affected the lies of the people particularly, their day to day normal and economic lives.

The discoveries of this century caused the improvement of numerous lives. Particularly, the scientific revolution of the late renaissance led to the denunciation and rejection of many superstitious belief and tradition. Things that were feared and avoided before was replaced with knowledge.

One of the most important discoveries of that time was the theory that the sun, and not the as the center of the solar system. This of course, caused much controversy as it debunked the original religious belief that the sun revolved around the earth. The astronomer and mathematical Nicolaus Copernicus presented this scientific hypothesis. From here, other astronomical discoveries and ideas blossomed. This includes the positions as well as the motions of the planets. Another famous mathematician Galileo Gallilei later supported the theory of helliocentrism. Isaac Newton also contributed in the realm of science by exploring the law of gravity. His idea about the universal gravitational became the pillars of the scientific world for almost three centuries (Kent 1).

Apart from the discoveries in astronomy and physics, other great men and their inventions and discoveries influenced the 17th century. This includes the work of Blaise Pascal and his invention of a computing machine. Likewise, this century was influenced by Denis Papin who pioneered the invention of the steam engine. Similarly, other scientists such as Leonhart Fuch, Carl von Linne, and Francis Bacon all made contributions in the field of botany and reasoning among many others (Kent 1).

These advancements however, prove to be too much for people at that time. One of them was William Wordsworth. Born in England, Wordsworth lived at the prime of his life and career during the 17th century. The drastic changes that happened during this period gave him the inspiration to create this sonnet. Written sometime in 1807, William Wordsworth as one of the millions of people who are suddenly feeling a sense of unease largely because of the emergence of the materialistic contemporary society. In fact, within the words and spaces of each line, Wordsworth indirectly paints through words all the new things that the civilization is producing as well as accumulating (Wordsworth 1).

In the first line, the writer immediately starts by stating the powerful phrase the world is too much with us he further continues by expressing that most of our time as well as our power are mostly focused on simply getting and spending. In these first two lines, Wordsworth are emphasizing that people are now more into accumulating and getting. As the improvements in science and technology continue to increase mans economic power he however, tends to forget the very thing that is most essential to him- nature (Wordsworth 1).

Wordsworth explores this in the following lines as he underlines the idea that we now see very little in Nature. He then continues by saying that we have given our hearts away. Such line would like to express mans disconnect from nature. He even describes the beauty of nature such as how the sea shimmers with the moon or how the winds howl with time and yet man, because of his preoccupation on the material things have missed all the beauty that is striving to happen around him (Wordsworth 1).

From there, Wordsworth explains the irony of these all. Man, despite of all the knowledge that he has accumulated, has forgotten all about nature and how it has supported him. This means that although man now thinks more, he has now forgotten how true knowledge which can only be found in nature. For example, during the 17th century man has learned to use revolutionary tools such as the telescope, which in turn has allowed him to see the positions of the planets. As man looks up however, he has ceased to see the beauty that surrounds him. Instead of looking around him, man looks further away to what is essential. Similarly, Wordsworth explains that all of these creations and inventions moves us not into becoming a god. Instead, the knowledge that man has discovered now reduces him to objects- no more than the inventions that he has created.

Wordsworth of course, does not discount the fact that science is a big help to humanity. What he would like to point out here is that man has become emotionally and mentally attached to such discoveries and inventions. In fact, he had become so attached to his so called knowledge and materialistic inventions to the point that he began to form and attach his identity around that particular object or invention. Instead of using it merely as a tool, man now looks at these tools as an extension of himself.

Wordsworth repulsion of man turning his back from nature largely comes from his style in writing which is romanticism. Romantic writers during this time, mainly get their inspiration and feeling of beingness from nature. The advent of new technology however has reduced mans connection and relationship with Mother Nature. What is even more ironic is that idea that although man has reached new heights in science and reasoning, he can never still identify himself as a god. Instead, he continues to spiral down as he goes on focusing all his or her energy to the materialistic world.
Although this sonnet has been written centuries upon centuries ago, it is still amazing how man is once again re-experiencing the 17th century. This means that man is now experiencing a different kind of revolution. Although the word revolution here connotes change the truth is that the term revolution could also mean disorder and chaos.

This state of chaos and confusion exactly portrays when man unconsciously projecting on himself, unto others, and to nature. Instead of experiencing the beauty of life and nature man would usually prefer connecting with technology. This means that most people today are more focused on the outside which is the materialistic world rather than reconnecting with nature. Work for example, has become a place where man constantly tries to create and recreate primarily because man has unknowingly attached himself to work. This is very similar to how 17th century religious people still hang on to the belief that the earth revolved around the sun.

Alternately, most people today are more connected to the internet or to their computer rather than spending their time in the outside world. Almost everyone today identify themselves with technology and view it as an important part of them. Children today for example, spend most of their time in front of the computer screen rather than witnessing on how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly. Similarly, individuals now communicate and interact via their computer screens as face-to face interaction is now considered pass,

William Wordsworths sonnet points out that despite the fact that man has utilized his talent to create objects that he has used, man in reality, has created objects that are using him. Man by identifying himself with such material object looses the very idea of enlightenment that happened both contemporarily as well as in the 17th century. Instead of feeling more fulfilled, man has developed things kind of hunger that can never be satisfied. Wordsworth explains it when he wrote the line late and soon, getting and spending, we lay waste our powers (Wordsworth 1) and that we have given our hearts away (Wordsworth 1).