Ne Plus Ultra by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Name: Ne Plus Ultra
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The poem explores the duality of existence, contrasting light and darkness, good and evil. It personifies darkness as a powerful, almost divine force, presenting it as the ultimate antagonist to light and a necessary counterpart to the divine. The imagery evokes a sense of dread and awe, portraying darkness as a primal, chaotic entity that governs fate and existence. The speaker grapples with the nature of despair and the limitations of prayer in the face of such overwhelming darkness. The "Sceptre" symbolizes authority and control, suggesting that darkness wields power over life and death. The references to "Death" and "Hell" emphasize the destructive and consuming aspects of this force, while the "Lampads Seven" represent a select group of celestial beings who possess knowledge of this darkness, hinting at the hidden truths of the universe. Throughout the work, there is a tension between the desire for understanding and the fear of the unknown. The poem ultimately reflects on the complexities of existence, the struggle against despair, and the interplay between light and dark, suggesting that both are essential to the human experience. The exploration of these themes invites readers to contemplate the nature of reality and the forces that shape it.

By Samuel Taylor Coleridge · First published 1817 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Gothic · 190 words

First lines

Sole Positive of Night! / Antipathist of Light! / Fate's only essence! primal scorpion rod -- / The one permitted opposite of God! -- / Condensed blackness and abysmal storm / Compacted to one sceptre / Arms the Grasp enorm -- / The Interceptor -- / The Substance that still casts the shadow / Death! -- / The Dragon foul and fell -- / The unrevealable, / And hidden one, whose breath / Gives wind and fuel to the fires of Hell! -- / Ah! sole despair / Of both the eternities in Heaven! / Sole interdict of all-bedewing prayer, / The all-compassionate! / Save to the Lampads Seven / Reveal'd to none of all the Angelic State, / Save to the Lampads Seven, / That watch the throne of Heaven!

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Ne Plus Ultra is listed on Textopian as a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, dated 1817 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Date: 1817 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Gothic, Philosophical, Symbolism
Length: 190 words
Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Genres

Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
Romanticism — The themes reflect the Romantic era's focus on emotion, nature, and the sublime.
Gothic — The imagery and themes of darkness, despair, and the supernatural align with Gothic literature.
Philosophical — The exploration of existential themes and the nature of good and evil indicates philosophical underpinnings.