Biographia literaria

Definition

Biographia Literaria is a literary work by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, published in 1817, that combines autobiography with critical theory and reflections on literature. It plays a significant role in understanding the emergence of Romantic poetry and provides insights into Coleridge's views on poetry, imagination, and the creative process, while also influencing later writers and poets.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Biographia Literaria is known for its exploration of the role of the imagination in poetry, positioning it as a vital element in the creative process.
2. Coleridge critiques contemporary literary practices and provides a defense of his own poetic philosophy, advocating for a more profound connection between poetry and nature.
3. The work offers insights into Coleridge's own struggles with creativity and inspiration, shedding light on his personal experiences as a poet.
4. Biographia Literaria helped shape the understanding of Romantic poetry by articulating key concepts such as organic form and the relationship between the poet and nature.
5. Coleridge's thoughts in Biographia Literaria influenced not only his contemporaries but also future generations of poets, making it a crucial text in literary studies.

Review Questions

• How does Biographia Literaria reflect Coleridge's views on the role of imagination in poetry?
  • In Biographia Literaria, Coleridge emphasizes imagination as an essential component of poetry, portraying it as a creative force that transcends mere reality. He argues that true poetic creation arises from this imaginative engagement with both nature and the self. This perspective not only highlights his own poetic practices but also positions imagination as central to the Romantic movement, influencing how later poets would approach their craft.
• Discuss how Biographia Literaria critiques contemporary literary practices during Coleridge's time.
  • Coleridge uses Biographia Literaria to critique the neoclassical emphasis on reason and formality in literature. He argues for a return to authenticity and emotional depth in poetry, advocating for a style that resonates with human experience. By doing this, he challenges prevailing norms and offers a new vision of poetic expression rooted in personal insight and natural beauty.
• Evaluate the impact of Biographia Literaria on later Romantic poets and its significance within the literary canon.
  • Biographia Literaria had a profound impact on later Romantic poets by establishing foundational ideas about creativity and poetic form that shaped subsequent literary discourse. Its themes of imagination and the interplay between nature and the self became cornerstones of Romantic thought. The work's significance within the literary canon lies in its dual role as both a reflection of Coleridge's personal journey and a manifesto for an evolving poetic tradition that continues to influence writers today.

Related terms

Romanticism: A literary and artistic movement that emerged in the late 18th century, emphasizing emotion, individualism, and the appreciation of nature as a reaction against the Industrial Revolution and Enlightenment rationalism.

Imagination: A central theme in Romantic literature, seen as a powerful force that enables creativity, transcends reality, and connects the human spirit to the divine.

Lyrical Ballads: A collection of poems published in 1798 by William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge that marked the beginning of the English Romantic movement, emphasizing everyday language and subjects.