The attitudes which Wordsworth and Shelley express towards nature in their poems "Lines Composed aa Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey" and "Mont Blanc" both contain elements of admiration and appreciation. However, nature is a comforting entity according to Wordsworth, but to Shelley nature is an inaccessible force that is detached from man.
Nature, in Wordsworth's opinion, is a gentle force that has the power to teach and nurture mankind. He claims that "Nature never did betray theheart that loved her" (lines 122 - 123). Nature is not indifferent to people, it is caring. Man should love nature and absorb its beauty which allows one to "see into the life of things." Wordsworth appreciate nature because it was his memories of nature that consoled him many times when he was upset. He includes nature in all aspects of his life, and encourages others to do the same.
Shelley, although appreciating nature, also realizes its alienation from man. He says that "Power dwells apart in its tranquility. Remote serene and iinaccessible" (lines 96-97). He also believes that if nature is in fact indifferent towards man, then it is also merciless towards him. This is shown in lines 117 - 119, when he says "The race of man, flies far in dread; his work and dwelling vaanish, like smoke before the tempest's stream." Shelley recognizes nature's terrific, yet deadly force; it is not the comforting force that Wordsworth sees. This force is not to be reckined with. In fact, he believes that man should respect this seperate entity, but fear it as well.
