Although Wordsworth was venerated in the 19th cent. by the early 20th cent. his reputation had declined. He was criticized for the unevenness of his poetry, for his rather marked capacity for bathos, and for his transformation from an open minded liberal to a cramped conservative. In recent years, however, Wordsworth has again been recognized as a great English poeta profound, original thinker who created a new poetic tradition◼ Although Wordsworth was venerated in the 19th cent., by the early 20th cent. his reputation had declined. He was criticized for the unevenness of his poetry, for his rather marked capacity for bathos, and for his transformation from an open￾minded liberal to a cramped conservative. In recent years, however, Wordsworth has again been recognized as a great English poet—a profound, original thinker who created a new poetic tradition