Literary devices

 “The World Is Too Much with Us” by William Wordsworth relies on metaphors to create imagery and give the poem lyrical qualities.

Anaphora

Anaphora means that the same word or expression is used at the beginning of consecutive lines. In this case, the poet uses this device to show the benefits of men reconnecting with nature:

“Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;” (ll. 12-13)

Imagery and metaphors

Almost all imagery in the poem is created through metaphors, particularly related to the natural elements. The sea “bares her bosom” (l. 5) as a person and the wind is “howling” (l. 6) like an animal. Note that these metaphors are also a personification and an animation; the sea is like a person, the wind is like an animal.

Humankind is also metaphoric...