Elucidate Coleridge’s theory of poetry

Answer

How does Coleridge define prose, poetry, and poem in “Biographia Literaria?”

Or Elucidate Coleridge’s theory of poetry.

Coleridge’s (1772 – 1834) Poetic theory is not in compact and convincing form anywhere in “Biographia Literaria” (1817). His theory is based on three “P” which mean poem, poetry, and poet. In the fourteenth chapter of his scholarly essay, the author provides his own poetic theory after some detailed analysis of Wordsworth’s poetic theory, slightly positively and most negatively.

Evaluation of Coleridge’s Poetic Theory: Coleridge has provided his poetic theory to render himself intelligible. At first, he talks about poems, then poetry, and finally about the poets. His ideas are explained here.

Opinion on Poem: Coleridge has a philosophical opinion that is similar to Aristotle’s theory of imitation of poems. He means to say that one has to keep in mind sundry matters while writing a poem or evaluating a piece of writing as a poem.

Unity is a Must: Coleridge commences his explanation of the poem with reference to philosophy, which is the mother of all branches of knowledge. He argues that philosophy confers truth on any topic through intellectual unity. Likewise, in philosophy, a poem must have unity.

Difference between Poetry and Prose: Coleridge asserts that “a poem contains the same elements as a prose composition.” There is no difference between poem and prose composition in the case of using the medium as both use words. However, the distinction lies in combining the different elements because the poem conjointly uses meter or rhythm.

Thirty days hath in September

April, June and November, etc.

Coleridge’s reference is a prose composition, though there is meter and rhythm in the lines. Thus, Coleridge’s theory of poetry has created a superficial difference between poetry and prose.

Immediate Object Pleasure: According to Coleridge, a poem must communicate immediate pleasure. Though science and history have communicated truths, they are in a shortage of creating immediate recreation. Finally, Coleridge has guessed or deduced a definition of a poem:

A poem is that species of composition which is opposed to works of

science by proposing for its immediate object pleasure, not truth.

So, Coleridge’s poetic theory promotes the paths of composing a poem by declaring its purpose.

Opinion on Poetry: Coleridge would like to define poetry to emphasize the meter and rhythm of poetry writing. Though his opinion is uncontroverted as to rhythm and meter, he lays assertions for rhyme or measure or both. According to Coleridge, the works of Plato and Bishop Taylor would be considered the best works of poetry if there were no limitations in rhyme and meter. So, Coleridge’s poetic theory advocates maintaining proper literary technique for poetry.

Opinion about Poet: The most praiseworthy aspect of Coleridge’s poetic theory is his outstanding understanding of the qualifications of the poets. Coleridge suggests that if the question questioned is about what poetry is or what poetry is, the answer to one is certainly involved in the solution of the other. Coleridge says:

No man was ever yet a great poet, without being at the same time a profound philosopher.

Poetic genius sustains and modifies the poet’s images, thoughts, and emotions. Some specific qualities a poet must possess in accordance with the scholar critic.

Good Sense, Fancy, and Imagination: These are the coined terms expressed in the essay. According to Coleridge, good sense is the body of poetic genius. Fancy is the drapery and motion. Finally, in Coleridge’s opinion, imagination is the soul of poetic genius, which is absent in Wordsworth. Coleridge’s opinion about fancy: 

The fancy is indeed no other than a mode of memory emancipated from the order of time and space.

In light of the above discussion, it is acutely understandable and realizable that Coleridge’s incompact poetic theory is a landmark in the history of English literary criticism. This theory created poets.