Wordsworth takes his root in Shakespeare, not only theoretically, but also practically. To be specific, the interrelation between Shakespeare's sonnets and Wordwworth's Prelude is embodied in such three aspects as feeling, imagination and nature. Both works are emotionally and psychologically aestheitc and have employed the tool of imagination. While the former is characterized with action description, metaphysical metaphors, polyphony and Christian subjects, the latter aims to establish an imaginary space through memory. Further, both works share their concern about nature. Whereas Shakespeare applies traditional Western cosmology to the anatomy of man, Wordsworth gets his pivot point at the mountain-river nature around man. These facts illustrate that Wordsworth's innovation has largely been inspired by Shakespeare although somehow the later poet excels the ealier one. The present exploration gives strong proof to Shakespeare's influence upon theory, criticism and later writings of poetry.
