Analysis:

The poets that we are discussing were both leading lights of their times though Wang was famous for being more than a poet, as we shall presently discuss. It can be said without a shadow of doubt that both these great poets had as their central theme the joy that the beauty of nature has to offer to mankind. The is the kind of joy which does not require one to be a king to be able to enjoy. The joy that is in abundance and only an eye and ear that sees and listens is required. Nature is the happiness that fills one’s heart and soul with goodness.

We all know that nature manifests itself in so many a different ways. The rainbow after the rains offers a sight that is spell binding. The rain itself after a dry season brings untold joy to millions across the world. The mighty rivers that gush down from mountains and the serene brook that flows through meandering meadows are signs and forms of nature. So are the ice covered peaks and the burning deserts and the dense forests. The sunset, sunrise, full moons are delights that God Almighty has bestowed, amongst many of His favors, to mankind.

It is these manifestations that occupied the mind and thoughts of Wordsworth and Wang. The two poets write about the divine beauties of nature in their inimitable ways. This point is proved by looking at a few of their poems cited below:
Wang Wei
The autumn hills hoard scarlet from the setting sun.
Flying birds chase their mates,
Now and then patches of blue sky break clear --
Tonight the evening mists find nowhere to gather.
Magnolia Hermitage (China the Beautiful)
You have just arrived from my hometown,
And should know what is happening there;
When you came, had the winter plum tree
Before my latticed window blossomed yet?
To A Friend ( China the Beautiful)

I know within my heart
what is good and which is beautiful.
When I arrive at the source of the stream
I sit down to rest and to watch the mists rising.
Sometimes I need a time-worn woodcutter --
Talking and laughing together,
we forget it is time to go home!
My Retreat at MountZhongNan ( China the Beautiful)

Deep in the mountain wilderness
Where nobody ever comes
Only once in a great while
Something like the sound of a far-off voice.
The low ray of the sun
Slip through the dark forest
And gleam again on the shadowy moss .
(Wang Wei Poetry Translations)

In my middle years I came to much love the Way
and late made my home by South Mountain 's edge.
When the mood comes upon me, I go off alone,
and have glorious moments all to myself.
I walk to the point where a stream ends,
and sitting, watch when the clouds rise.
By chance I meet old men in the woods;
we laugh and chat, no fixed time to turn home.
Villa on Zhongnan Mountain ( Topics Page)

It may be mentioned here that Wang Wei was renowned also as a painter, a calligrapher and a musician. From the paintings that have survived Wang mastery of illustration of Wang Wei's landscapes, in particular of water and mist, is established. These paintings were drawn in black ink. No wonder he is credited with being the originator of Southern Chinese landscape art. Writing quatrains was his forte (Wang Wei, The Columbia Encyclopedia, 2001).

Wordsworth main claim to fame was his poetry. This aspect is not directly part of our comparison as we are to compare them as poets only. However it will be relevant to note that Wang Wei lived at a time (mid-8 th century) when the Chinese emperors and the intelligentsia were greatly influenced by the Buddhist teachings. This was the era of the Tang dynasty. During this period’ the three teachings’ emanating from the politico-religious movements namely Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism came to the fore. Buddhism underlined the fact that man’s stay in this world is transitory and that it is but a brief and passing existence. Daoism stressed nature as being supreme. It emphasized building up of personal value systems even if that required reclusion or living away and keeping a distance from the society. The third major politico-religious thought Confucianism laid emphasis on one’s responsibility towards the society and the state. Wang acquired deep emotional feelings for Buddhist ideals which are reflected in his works. There was a tradition of poetry of retreat from before Wang Wei and he followed in this tradition. His writing thus reflects tranquility and quiet. Passions of heart are to be subjugated and suppressed for higher ideal of responsibility toward fellow human beings and as well as towards the state. Hinduism too emphasized the transient role of this world and the concept of reincarnation similar to Buddhism and may have had a similar influence on Wang.

Wordsworth was sent to a boarding school in Hawkshead. This is where the young Wordsworth had the opportunity to be near nature and was enthralled and absorbed its mystic charm and beauty. So much so that he did not like the idea of going home during the school break in the summers. Although he received a degree from Cambridge his heart and soul were elsewhere. Wordsworth undertook a walking tour of Europe. He was deeply moved by this close encounter with mother nature. In particular he loved the Simplon Pass with a passion. This experience left an indelible mark on his psyche and he therefore returned to France a year later. This time around he stayed for a full year. Let us sample the wonderful description of nature in the worthy words of Wordsworth:

My heart leaps up when I behold A rainbow in the sky:

So was it when my life began;

So is it now I am a man;

So be it when I shall grow old, Or let me die!

The Child is father of the Man;

And I could wish my day to be

Bound each to each by natural piety.

Untitled

Beneath these fruit-tree boughs that shed

hite blossoms on my head,

With brightest sunshine round me spread Of spring's unclouded weather,

In this sequestered nook how sweet

To sit upon my orchard-seat!

And birds and flowers once more to greet, My last year's friends together.

The Green Linnet

He happened to be in France during his first visit when the anniversary of the French revolution was being celebrated. He became a great admirer and follower of the ideals of the French Revolution. Therefore when war broke out between England and France he was greatly disturbed. This was so because while his loyalty was with his motherland he felt that England was fighting against the values and virtues of Liberty itself.

Political though had influence on Wordsworth just as was the case with Wang. Therefore one can safely interpret both of these poets to have come under the influence of the political processes and thoughts of their times. Their poetry too carries such influence. In the case of Wordsworth there was little, if any, influence of religious considerations. However the love of nature reflects in their poetic works in equal measure.