Wordsworth and Coleridge were influential English poets during the Romantic era in the late 18th century. They published Lyrical Ballads together in 1798, marking an important change in literature. Wordsworth believed poetry should use ordinary language and reflect emotions recollected over time. Coleridge saw all art as an organic whole and emphasized the suspension of disbelief in supernatural elements. Both poets were inspired by nature and philosophy during a time of war and political upheaval in Europe following the French Revolution. Their works came to define the Romantic period in contrast to prior neoclassical styles.

1.  Bhumi Dangi
 Roll no.9, M.A. Sem-1.
 The Department of English,
M. K. Bhavnagar University.
 Paper. 3 – Criticism. Code-2667.
‘Concept of Poetry –
Wordsworth & Coleridge.’

2. ~ Wordsworth & Coleridge as Comrade. ~
 1795-Samuel Taylor Coleridge, William Wordsworth
and his sister Doroth acquainted together. Then they
both stared writing together.
 At that time both of them were greatly influenced,
criticised and inspired together.
 1798-joined together to publish “Lyrical Ballads”.
 It was remarkable change in history of literature as
‘Romantic Age’ started with publication of the book.
 1817-Coleridge publishes work- “Biographia Literaria”

3. ~FRENCH REVOLUTION~
 France was wracked by revolution which
changed their government, military and
culture of nation.
 It was a plugging for Europe into series of
wars.
 Reason of war was revolt against the rule. It is
recorded as first democratic country of world.
 That moment was not limited only to France
but it affected nations of world.

4. ~ VIDEO ~

5. Influence of movement upon writings of
Wordsworth & Coleridge.
 Wars are the situation in which man becomes
thought-provoking.
 It brings out so many things like patriotism,
rebelliousness, philosophy or escapism.
 Wordsworth seem escapist by his writings as he
turned towards nature. Then even we can find one
single work upon politics – ‘London’. In which he
sarcastically addresses Milton.
 Whereas Coleridge comes up as a philosopher.

6. ~ TWO EXTREME POINTS ~
 History floats like a pendent of
old-fashioned wall-clock. Once the
pendent goes to extreme point,
then it will move towards opposite
direction.

7.  Before Wordsworth, there were Neo-classicists who
wrote in highly bombastic style. i.e., ‘Rape of the
Lock’ by Alexander Pope. Even though subject is
trivial but style of writing was ‘Mock-Heroic’ and
Epic style narration.
 People now was fade up with that stereo type
writings and wanted some different taste. So,
Wordsworth goes exactly opposite in his writings.
 Thus he became popular that people were provided
something different by him.

8. ~ Coleridge ~
 He was first English writer to insist that every work
of art is ‘Organic Whole’.
 In practical approach to criticism he is found prolific
poet whereas in theoretical discussion he stands as
philosopher.
 He brings supernatural – natural. He would present
it in a manner so that supernatural elements seems
real. Reader will comprehend it with ‘Willing
suspension of disbelief’.

9.  Although he is friend of Wordsworth, he gives
opinion free from biases.
 Lost in absence of mind. He tried to define poetry
but not able to do so. Perhaps because of his habits
of drugs addition.
 Pure artist – ‘Art for the sake of Art’.

10. ~ Wordsworth ~
 Poem-
‘Spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings,
recollected in tranquillity.’
 He himself contradicts in giving definition as he uses
spontaneous and recollected.
 Poetic diction- he favours words in poetry of
ordinary man. ‘man talking to men’
 1798, Wordsworth published ‘Lyrical Ballads’. Its
preface got high contradiction but during second
edition of book in 1800, he edited his preface.

11.  He was a poet who believed that poetry is as
important as life itself.
 ‘Art for the life’s sake.’
 Moralist rather than artist.
 Presented Nature in the manner so that it sound
supernatural.
Thus, we saw that writing does not stand solely.
It is inter-connected with so many dimensions. And
without taking it into consideration, we cannot
understand it.

12.  Thank you. .