Assignment#3 Literary Theory and Criticism
AMEENA TARIQ
FA22-BEN-002
Write an assignment of 400-500 words on the following:
“Coleridge’s Role in Shaping Romantic Criticism: A Study of Chapter 14 of
Biographia Literaria.”
In your essay, consider:
His definition of a poet and poetry.
His philosophical approach to imagination and creativity.
His criticism of Wordsworth’s ideas in Lyrical Ballads.
The broader implications of his ideas for Romantic literature.
Coleridge’s Role in Shaping Romantic Criticism: A Study of Chapter 14 of
Biographia Literaria
Samuel Taylor Coleridge's Biographia Literaria, especially Chapter 14, plays a
pivotal role in defining Romantic criticism by offering a profound exploration of
the nature of poetry, the role of the poet, and the philosophy of imagination. His
engagement with key Romantic principles, as well as his critique of William
Wordsworth’s poetic ideas in the Lyrical Ballads, establishes him as one of the
most significant critical voices of the Romantic era.
Coleridge’s Definition of a Poet and Poetry
Coleridge’s concept of poetry is deeply philosophical. He differentiates poetry
from prose by emphasizing its unique combination of elements to create pleasure
rather than to convey mere truth. For Coleridge, a poem is not merely metrical
writing but a composition in which every part supports and enhances the whole.
Poetry’s purpose, he asserts, is to elicit a continuous and harmonious attention, and
its ultimate aim is to provide a higher form of pleasure, rooted in imaginative
engagement. He defines the poet as someone who brings the whole soul of man
into activity, integrating faculties such as imagination and judgment in perfect
harmony. The poet’s role is to evoke emotions that are both profound and
controlled, blending the familiar with the novel.
The Philosophical Approach to Imagination and Creativity
Central to Coleridge’s theory is his distinction between imagination and fancy.
Imagination, for Coleridge, is the "synthetic and magical power" that reconciles
opposites—novelty with familiarity, general with particular, and emotion with
order. He describes it as a transformative faculty that shapes raw materials of
experience into coherent artistic expressions. This "poetic imagination" is the
essence of creativity, unifying disparate elements into a seamless whole. Fancy, by
contrast, is a lower, mechanical function that merely rearranges existing images
without creating something new. Coleridge’s emphasis on imagination underscores
its centrality in Romantic aesthetics, elevating it above reason as the defining
faculty of the poet.
Criticism of Wordsworth’s Ideas in Lyrical Ballads
Coleridge’s critique of Wordsworth in Lyrical Ballads revolves around
Wordsworth’s insistence on using the "language of real life." Coleridge
acknowledges Wordsworth’s genius but takes issue with the notion that poetry
should be confined to the language of everyday speech. While Wordsworth aimed
to find beauty in the ordinary, Coleridge believed that poetic language should
elevate the reader through its imaginative qualities. He objects to Wordsworth’s
assertion that all poetry should adhere to simple, conversational diction, suggesting
that the pleasure derived from poetry lies in its ability to evoke imaginative
responses beyond everyday experience.
Broader Implications for Romantic Literature
Coleridge’s ideas in Chapter 14 had profound implications for Romantic literature.
His emphasis on imagination as the core of poetic creation shifted critical attention
toward the subjective experience of the poet and the transformative power of art.
His theory helped establish the Romantic ideal of the poet as a visionary figure,
capable of synthesizing emotion, intellect, and nature into a unified artistic vision.
By blending philosophical rigor with poetic insight, Coleridge shaped Romantic
criticism, ensuring that the era’s literature would be judged not merely by its form
but by its capacity to evoke deep imaginative engagement.
In conclusion, Coleridge’s Chapter 14 of Biographia Literaria serves as a
cornerstone of Romantic literary criticism. His definitions of poetry and the poet,
his exploration of imagination, and his nuanced critique of Wordsworth
collectively offer a profound understanding of Romantic aesthetics. His insights
continue to influence the way we appreciate the dynamic relationship between
creativity, language, and human experience.
