“Never again would the two poets have the sort of compatibility which allowed for major differences of opinion, without creating unease”(Newlyn, 34).įollowing this time period, their friendship began to slowly deteriorate beginning with criticisms of each other’s poetry, then growing into conflicting views on creativity and intellect, and finally culminating in a “radical difference” of “theoretical opinions” concerning poetry (Newlyn, 87). This came at a time when they were together in Alfoxden, where they had enjoyed the simple pleasures of spending time together, discussing ideas, and devising schemes for publications. In 1798 the publication of their joint effort, Lyrical Ballads, signified the height of their relationship. Their friendship truly began to flourish when Coleridge visited Wordsworth in March of 1797 at Racedown, and after that visit the two had a much closer relationship and communicated with one another regularly.ĭespite any difference, the two poets were compatible because they were both “preoccupied with imagination, and both verbal reference in new ways”(Newlyn, 31). Not much is documented about Wordsworth’s first impressions of Coleridge, but upon meeting him in 1795 he’s recorded as mentioning, “I wished indeed to see more - his talent appears to me very great” (Newlyn, 5). Their first meeting occurred in 1795 atBristol during a political debate. As early as 1793 Coleridge had read the poetry of Wordsworth, and he was specifically drawn to the political elements of his poem Descriptive Sketches. Coleridge’s different views, combined with his opium addiction, led to an eventual breach in his friendship with Wordsworth – a friendship that had begun in 1797.Īlthough Coleridge and Wordsworth did not meet until the year 1797, they were familiar with one another’s work prior to that date. Samuel Taylor Coleridge has a poetic diction unlike that of William Wordsworth, he relies more heavily on imagination for poetic inspiration, and he also incorporates religion into his poetry differently. In addition, Coleridge’s poetry complicates experiences that Wordsworth views as very simple and very commonplace. Coleridge’s poetry differs from that of Wordsworth, and his association with Wordsworth overshadows Coleridge’s individual accomplishments as a Romantic poet. Although he is often “paired” with his counterpart Wordsworth, there are several differences in Coleridge’s poetic style and philosophical views. This is due in part to their friendship and joint ventures on works such as Lyrical Ballads. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.Samuel Taylor Coleridge is often discussed in association with his peer, William Wordsworth. These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. The chapter concludes with a discussion of Coleridge’s ‘A Stranger Minstrel’, showing its relevance to Coleridge’s appreciation of Mary Robinson and his own unhappy predicament with respect to Sara Hutchinson and his wife. In addition, the chapter explores how Robinson’s ‘Ode to Derwent’ celebrated Coleridge’s neglected poetic genius, and I also suggest that ‘Mrs Robinson to the Poet Coleridge’ was intended for publication in the Morning Post as a boost for Coleridge’s morale. A month later, on 24 November 1800, the publication of ‘Alcaeus to Sappho’ refers again to a connection between Mary Robinson and Wordsworth. The chapter starts off with a discussion of the references to ‘Sappho’ and her lover ‘Alcaeus’ in the headnote to the publication of ‘The Solitude of Binnorie’. This chapter offers further evidence for reading the friendship and creative reciprocity between Coleridge and Mary Robinson against the backdrop of Coleridge’s traumatic feelings of rejection by Wordsworth.
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