Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Definition

Samuel Taylor Coleridge was an English poet, literary critic, and philosopher, known for his influential works during the Romantic period. He is best known for his poems that delve into the nature of imagination and the supernatural, such as 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' and 'Kubla Khan,' which showcase his innovative use of language and exploration of emotional depth.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Coleridge's work often blends the ordinary with the fantastical, illustrating his belief in the power of imagination to transcend reality.
2. He struggled with personal issues, including addiction, which affected his writing and productivity throughout his life.
3. His philosophical views were deeply influenced by German idealism, particularly the ideas of Immanuel Kant and Friedrich Schiller.
4. Coleridge introduced the concept of 'suspension of disbelief,' which encourages readers to engage emotionally with a narrative despite its fantastical elements.
5. His collaboration with Wordsworth on 'Lyrical Ballads' established a new direction for poetry, emphasizing emotional resonance and connection to nature over classical forms.

Review Questions

• How did Coleridge's view of imagination influence his poetry and contribute to pre-Romantic tendencies?
  • Coleridge viewed imagination as a vital force that allowed poets to access deeper truths beyond mere reality. This perspective influenced his poetry by enabling him to weave elements of the supernatural and extraordinary into relatable human experiences. His focus on the power of imagination resonated with pre-Romantic tendencies seen in works like James Thomson's 'The Seasons,' where nature and emotion played significant roles.
• Analyze how Coleridge's themes and style reflect pre-Romantic tendencies found in earlier literary works.
  • Coleridge's exploration of emotion and nature mirrors pre-Romantic tendencies by emphasizing the human connection to the natural world. His lyrical style often incorporates vivid imagery and sensory details that evoke strong feelings, reminiscent of earlier works like 'The Seasons.' Moreover, his interest in the sublime and the mysterious aligns with Thomson's poetic focus on the beauty and complexity of nature.
• Evaluate Coleridge's impact on Romantic literature and how his ideas about imagination shaped future poets' works.
  • Coleridge significantly impacted Romantic literature by championing imagination as a central theme. His assertion that poetry should evoke emotional responses through imaginative engagement inspired future poets like John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley. By integrating elements of nature, fantasy, and profound emotion into his works, Coleridge helped establish a foundation for Romanticism that emphasized individual experience and emotional depth, paving the way for poets to explore their inner landscapes more freely.

Related terms

Romanticism:

A cultural movement that emerged in the late 18th century, emphasizing emotion, nature, and individualism in art and literature, often in reaction to the Industrial Revolution.

Imagination: The ability to create ideas or images in the mind, a central theme in Coleridge's work, representing a bridge between reality and the ideal.

Lyrical Ballads: A collection of poems published by Coleridge and William Wordsworth in 1798, which marked the beginning of the English Romantic movement by focusing on ordinary life and nature.