Samuel Taylor Coleridge: Life and Literary Contributions
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, born in 1772 in Devonshire, was a prominent figure in the Romantic movement. His education at Christ's Hospital School in London and later at Cambridge University, though incomplete, laid the foundation for his literary career.
Highlight: Coleridge's collaboration with William Wordsworth in 1797 led to the creation of "Lyrical Ballads," a seminal work in Romantic literature.
Coleridge's literary output was diverse and influential. He not only produced poetry but also made significant contributions to literary criticism. His work "Biographia Literaria" (1817) is considered a classic text in literary criticism and autobiography.
Definition: Imagination per Coleridge was divided into "primary" and "secondary" imagination. Primary imagination was the power to create images from sensory experiences, while secondary imagination was the poetic ability to create new worlds.
Coleridge's vision of nature differed from Wordsworth's pantheistic view. Instead, Coleridge adopted a neo-Platonic vision, believing that natural images carried abstract meanings, which he incorporated into his visionary poems.
Vocabulary: Neo-Platonism is a philosophical and mystical system based on the teachings of Plato, emphasizing the existence of an abstract world of ideas beyond the physical realm.
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner: Structure and Themes
"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" is Coleridge's most renowned poem, composed of seven parts set in a vast sea. The poem's structure is complex, featuring two narratives: the framing story of the Mariner and his listener, and the main tale itself.
Example: The poem begins with the Mariner stopping a wedding guest to recount his extraordinary tale, setting up the narrative frame.
The poem's plot revolves around the Mariner's fateful decision to kill an albatross and the subsequent supernatural events that unfold. These events include encounters with phantom ships, personifications of Death and Life-in-Death, and the deaths of the entire crew except for the Mariner.
Quote: "Water, water, everywhere, / And all the boards did shrink; / Water, water, everywhere, / Nor any drop to drink." This famous quote illustrates the Mariner's torment and the vivid imagery Coleridge employs.
The atmosphere of the poem is deeply mysterious, blending supernatural elements with realistic details. This combination creates a unique and haunting narrative that has captivated readers for centuries.
Highlight: The Albatross Coleridge uses as a symbol is linked to the spiritual world, making its killing a transgression against nature and the divine.
