『소요』(The Excursion)에 나타난 실존주의

Abstract

William Wordsworth’s The Excursion does not seem to have drawn favorable critical attentions, compared to his other works such as The Prelude. This is probably because of its ostensibly simple narrative, whose focus appears to be on the sermons of the Wanderer and the Pastor, trying to heal the despair deeply rooted in the Solitary, as Book 4’s title “Despondency Corrected” suggests. Their eloquent harangues to correct his despondency seem to have had an adverse effect on its criticism. However, if we direct our attention to the Solitary’s argument, instead of focusing on the Wanderer’s or the Pastor’s, the central tenets of existentialism would be brought forward and it will bring a different light to its criticism. Since some critics consider Wordsworth as an existentialist, it will not be far-fetched to find existentialism in the Solitary’s ideas, who share some of Wordsworth’s biographical facts. As existence precedes essence for Kierkeggard, the Solitary is trying to fight for his existential being against essential ethics preached by the Wanderer. The latter is very critical about the former’s being in despair and teaches his own universal truth which will not allow any room for despair. Kierkeggard argues, however, our existence is purely subjective and we fall in despair when we encounter objective truth. Despair is something inevitable in human life for him. This essay argues that the Solitary as an existentialist tries to defend his subjective being against universal truth imposed by the Wanderer who does not tolerate any form of individual existence.