Landor's Poetry

Name: Landor's Poetry
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The work critiques the poetic abilities of a contemporary poet, highlighting a lack of imagination that prevents the creation of cohesive and intelligible poetry. The author argues that while the poet possesses considerable talent, he fails to unify disparate elements into a singular artistic vision. The critique emphasizes the distinction between beauty and interest, asserting that beauty exists as a tranquil and immediate presence, while interest is characterized by disturbance and complexity. The author expresses regret over lost essays on beauty, indicating a deep engagement with the concept. The text advocates for a chronological arrangement of a poet's works, suggesting that this method allows for a clearer observation of the evolution of a poet's genius. The author believes that such an arrangement preserves the narrative of growth, maturity, and potential decline, which is essential for understanding the full scope of a poet's contributions. The critique ultimately serves as a reflection on the nature of poetry, the role of imagination, and the importance of clarity in expression.

By Samuel Taylor Coleridge · First published 1818 · Genre: Literary Criticism, Poetry, Philosophy · 266 words

First lines

What is it that Mr. Landor wants, to make him a poet? His powers are certainly very considerable, but he seems to be totally deficient in that modifying faculty, which compresses several units into one whole. The truth is, he does not possess imagination in its highest form, -- that of stamping _il più nell' uno_. Hence his poems, taken as wholes, are unintelligible; you have eminences excessively bright, and all the ground around and between them in darkness. Besides which, he has never learned, with all his energy, how to write simple and lucid English.

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Landor's Poetry is listed on Textopian as an essay by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, dated 1818 CE.

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Work type: Essay
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Date: 1818 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Criticism, Poetry, Philosophy, Essays
Length: 266 words
Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Literary Criticism — The text analyzes the poetic abilities of Landor, focusing on his strengths and weaknesses as a poet.
Poetry — The work discusses poetry and poetic form, reflecting on the nature of beauty and expression in poetry.
Philosophy — The text delves into philosophical concepts of beauty, expression, and the nature of artistic creation.
Essays — The format and style resemble an essay, presenting arguments and reflections on poetry and aesthetics.