Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Definition

Samuel Taylor Coleridge was an English poet, literary critic, and philosopher, best known for his influential works in the Romantic literary movement. His poetry is characterized by its imaginative power, exploration of the supernatural, and deep philosophical themes, making him a central figure alongside contemporaries like Wordsworth and Keats.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Coleridge collaborated with William Wordsworth on 'Lyrical Ballads,' which is often credited with launching the Romantic era in literature.
2. His poem 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' uses vivid imagery and supernatural elements to explore complex themes such as guilt, redemption, and the relationship between humanity and nature.
3. Coleridge was also a prominent literary critic and developed significant ideas about poetry, emphasizing the importance of imagination and emotional depth in art.
4. He struggled with addiction throughout his life, particularly to opium, which affected his health and productivity as a writer.
5. Coleridge's work had a lasting impact on later poets and writers, influencing movements such as Symbolism and Modernism through his exploration of dreams, consciousness, and the creative process.

Review Questions

• How did Coleridge's collaboration with Wordsworth influence the Romantic movement?
  • Coleridge's collaboration with Wordsworth on 'Lyrical Ballads' played a crucial role in shaping the Romantic movement by promoting new poetic forms that emphasized emotion and nature over classical ideals. Their shared vision of poetry as a means to express personal experience and feelings helped redefine the purpose of literature during this period. The collection itself challenged traditional poetic norms and laid the groundwork for future Romantic poets.
• What are some key themes found in Coleridge's poetry, particularly in 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner'?
  • 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' features several key themes including guilt, redemption, and the profound connection between humanity and nature. The mariner's journey illustrates the consequences of disrupting this connection through his act of killing the albatross. This act leads to his suffering and eventual spiritual awakening, highlighting Coleridge's exploration of moral responsibility and the transformative power of nature.
• Evaluate how Coleridge's philosophical views on imagination impacted his poetry and its reception in later literary movements.
  • Coleridge's philosophical views on imagination were groundbreaking as he argued that true creativity stems from the interplay between reality and the imagination. He believed that imagination allows poets to transcend ordinary experiences and tap into deeper truths about existence. This perspective significantly influenced later literary movements like Symbolism and Modernism, as writers began to explore subjective realities and consciousness. Coleridge's emphasis on imaginative vision set a precedent for how literature could engage with complex human experiences.

Related terms

Romanticism:

A literary and artistic movement that emphasized emotion, nature, and individualism, emerging as a reaction against the Industrial Revolution and Enlightenment rationalism.

Lyrical Ballads: A collection of poems published by Coleridge and Wordsworth in 1798 that marked the beginning of the English Romantic movement and emphasized the importance of ordinary life and emotions.

Kubla Khan: One of Coleridge's most famous poems, written in a dreamlike state, that explores themes of creativity, imagination, and the interplay between nature and art.