Samuel Taylor Coleridge: The Exponent of Romantic Poetry , Critic and Philosopher

“How great a possibility; how small a realized result.” 

-Thomas Carlyle 

Referring to Samuel Taylor Coleridge.{Letter to Ralph Waldo Emerson}

Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834), , the exponent of Romantic poetry , critic and philosopher, was born in Devonshire on October 23, 1772 and educated in Christ’s Hospital school in London. The highly imaginative and vivid images of his poems along with their varied rhythms and strange settings evoke the mysterious atmosphere of a fairy tale or nightmare. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest poets, critics, and philosophers of his time. Coleridge's works not only exemplify the essence of Romantic poetry but also reflect his deep insights into human nature, imagination, and the role of art in society.

 In 1796, he published his first volume, poems on various subjects and poems in 1797. Twelve months later he met William Wordsworth which proved the beginning of a fruitful creative relationship. From is friendship resulted Lyrical Ballads which opened with Coleridge’s "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" and ended with William Wordsworth’s "Tintern Abbey." As a poet, Coleridge's most renowned contribution is the epic poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." This poem is considered a masterpiece of English literature. It tells the haunting tale of a mariner who faces supernatural trials and learns profound moral lessons. These Lyrical Ballads not only set a new style of using everyday language but also enable interpreted the beauties of the physical world in a more mysterious and spiritual maunder while Wordsworth dealt with it philosophically. Coleridge married. Sarah Hutchinson in 1795 to whom he devoted his work "Dejection: An ode" (1802). His other notable poems push shed in later years were "Kubla Khan" and "Christable". Here is few lines from his "Kubla Khan":

“And all should cry, Beware! Beware!

His flashing eyes, his floating hair!

Weave a circle round him thrice,

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

And close your eyes with holy dread,

For he on honey-dew hath fed,

And drunk the milk of Paradise.”

Coleridge's poetic style is characterized by rich imagery, vivid descriptions, and a keen sensitivity to nature. He believed that nature was imbued with a spiritual presence and viewed it as a source of inspiration and solace. This belief is evident in his poems, such as "Kubla Khan," which portrays a fantastical landscape, and "Frost at Midnight," where he contemplates the tranquil beauty of a winter night.

Beyond his contributions as a poet, Coleridge was a highly influential literary critic. His critical work, "Biographia Literaria," published in 1817, explores the nature and principles of poetry and offers profound insights into the creative process. It is the evolution of fundamentally new critical principles in literature. Coleridge emphasized the importance of imagination and believed that poetry should be a synthesis of the real and the imaginative, uniting reason and passion.  Here is an analyses of his critical power, demonstrations of Worthworthian theory of poetry and the most enduring exposition of the Romantic theory as it exists in English. His other practical criticism too helped to elevate the reputations of Renaissance dramatists and poets neglected in the 18th century.

Coleridge's philosophical pursuits encompassed a wide range of topics, including metaphysics, theology, and psychology. He was deeply interested in the nature of consciousness and the workings of the human mind. His concept of the "willing suspension of disbelief" highlights the role of imagination in engaging with fictional works and has since become a fundamental principle in literary criticism.

Coleridge's intellectual contributions extended beyond the realm of literature. He was a proponent of German Idealism and translated the works of German philosopher Immanuel Kant, introducing his ideas to the English-speaking world. Coleridge's philosophical and critical writings had a profound influence on subsequent generations of thinkers, including Ralph Waldo Emerson and Friedrich Nietzsche.

In conclusion, Samuel Taylor Coleridge was a multi-faceted figure in English literature, revered as both a poet and a critic. His poems, with their evocative imagery and deep philosophical underpinnings, exemplify the Romantic movement. Through his critical and philosophical explorations, Coleridge left an indelible mark on literary theory and the understanding of the human experience. His legacy continues to inspire and resonate with readers and scholars to this day.

Ardhendu De

Ref: 

1."John Taylor Coleridge." Microsoft® Student 2009 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2008.

2. ALBERT. (2000). History of English Literature (Fifth Edition) [English]. OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS.