Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834)
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Samuel Taylor Coleridge was born on October 21, 1772, in Ottery St Mary, Devon, England. As a young man, he was always an ardent reader, which led him to Christ's Hospital School in London and later to Jesus College, Cambridge. His insatiable thirst for knowledge was evident in his wide range of interests, from theology and philosophy to the natural sciences. This academic backdrop set the stage for Coleridge to emerge as one of the most significant poets and thinkers of his era.
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In the late 1790s, Coleridge's collaboration with fellow poet William Wordsworth resulted in the groundbreaking work "Lyrical Ballads", which many credit with launching the Romantic movement in English literature. This collection featured Coleridge's renowned poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner", a haunting tale of a sailor's harrowing journey at sea, showcasing his ability to weave the supernatural with the profound human experience. Throughout his life, Coleridge would continue to contribute significantly to poetry, producing other esteemed works such as "Kubla Khan" and "Christabel".
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However, beyond his poetic endeavors, Coleridge was also a distinguished philosopher, critic, and lecturer. His series of lectures on Shakespeare are particularly noteworthy, as they helped reshape Shakespearean criticism. Moreover, his work "Biographia Literaria" is both a critical analysis of poetic theory as well as an autobiography, revealing his profound insights into literature and his own tumultuous life. This work, among others, showcased his innovative thinking, making him an influential figure in literary criticism and philosophy.
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Despite his intellectual prowess and contributions to literature, Coleridge's personal life was marred with challenges. He grappled with health issues, depression, and an opium addiction, which deeply influenced both the content and form of his writings. While his later years were less productive due to his struggles, his earlier brilliance ensured his place among the pantheon of great English poets and thinkers. Samuel Taylor Coleridge passed away on July 25, 1834, but his legacy as a central figure of the Romantic Age endures to this day.
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We'll discuss Kubla Khan more next week; "Christabel" is one of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's notable works, written between 1797 and 1800 but left unfinished. This lyrical ballad is known for its rich imagery, eerie atmosphere, and its exploration of innocence, seduction, and supernatural influences.
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The narrative centers around the eponymous character, Christabel, a young maiden who, while wandering in the woods at midnight, encounters a mysterious woman named Geraldine. Claiming to be a noble lady who has been abducted and left in the woods, Geraldine is taken by Christabel to her castle. As the poem unfolds, a series of strange occurrences and unsettling behaviors manifest. Geraldine's true nature becomes increasingly dubious, with hints that she might be a malevolent supernatural entity. She exerts a seductive, perhaps even vampiric influence over Christabel, leading to an intimate and ambiguous encounter between the two women. As the morning approaches, Geraldine's power also seems to have an effect on Sir Leoline, Christabel's father, causing a rift between father and daughter.
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The poem delves deep into themes of innocence, evil, seduction, and the supernatural, with the character of Geraldine acting as a mysterious and malevolent force capable of corrupting the pure-hearted Christabel and her familial bonds. The fragmentary nature of the poem, given that Coleridge never completed it, adds to its mystique, leaving readers with an open-ended narrative that's ripe for interpretation and speculation. Throughout "Christabel," Coleridge's masterful use of meter, rhythm, and Gothic imagery creates a haunting and dream-like atmosphere that resonates long after reading.
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Read:
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/173247
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/173227 (just read the conclusions to parts I and II)
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Discuss:
1. Even if you didn't understand Kubla Khan (and we'll discuss it more next week) give me 1 or 2 lines where you felt like the language was particularly beautiful or moving to you.
2. What do you think Geraldine really was? Use your imagination!