Exploring the spiritual omnipresence of emotion : a study of Wordworth's presence in Lorca's theory and play of the duende

Abstract

This thesis explores the interconnected concepts of presence and duende in relation to the works of William Wordsworth and Federico García Lorca, examining how both poets utilize these ideas to reflect the dual nature of the human experience in a world that was becoming increasingly repressive and mechanized. Presence, as understood in Wordsworth’s Romantic poetry, emphasizes a joyful, harmonious connection with the sublime of nature and a spiritual return to the purity of childhood, serving as a source of emotional and spiritual renewal. In contrast, Lorca’s concept of duende captures the intense, raw, and transformative force that drives artistic expression, particularly in music and poetry, by confronting life’s darker, existential truths and mortality. By comparing these two awe-inspiring concepts, this thesis highlights how they both illuminate the human desire for a deeper connection to the world and a fuller understanding of life and death, offering insights into how art reflects and shapes our emotional and existential journeys.