Sympathy of Ancient and English Mind

Name: Sympathy of Ancient and English Mind
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The work explores the contrasts between ancient and contemporary English thought, particularly focusing on the influence of Greek and Roman literature on the development of the English literary tradition. It begins by discussing the ease of translating certain classical texts into English, highlighting the differences in linguistic structure and cultural resonance. The author notes that while some Roman writers, like Sophocles and Catullus, can be translated directly, others, such as Virgil, resist such straightforward rendering due to their unique stylistic qualities. The text emphasizes the loss of vividness in Roman literature during the Augustan age, suggesting that the Romans, initially inspired by Greek literature, became overly reliant on it as their own literary identity matured. This dependence is critiqued as a hindrance to the development of original thought and expression in Roman works, with the exception of certain genres like history and satire. The author posits that a nation's greatness is often shaped by its interactions with more advanced civilizations, using historical examples such as Greece's relationship with Persia and Rome's with Etruria and Carthage. This idea extends to contemporary reflections on national identity and cohesion, as illustrated by a recollection of a conversation regarding the implications of territorial expansion for the United States. The discussion also touches on the nature of war in republican Rome, characterizing it as a product of an aristocratic spirit that prioritized military conquest over trade. The author argues that the expansion of the Roman state was driven by external conquests, and once those opportunities were exhausted, internal conflict ensued, leading to civil strife. Overall, the work presents a critical examination of the evolution of literary and national identity, emphasizing the importance of originality and the dangers of cultural dependency. It advocates for a deeper understanding of how historical influences shape contemporary thought and artistic expression.

By Samuel Taylor Coleridge · First published 1834 · Genre: Literary Criticism, Philosophy, Historical Analysis · 515 words

First lines

If you take Sophocles, Catullus, Lucretius, the better parts of Cicero, and / so on, you may, just with two or three exceptions arising out of the / different idioms as to cases, translate page after page into good mother / English, word by word, without altering the order; but you cannot do so / with Virgil or Tibullus: if you attempt it, you will make nonsense.

There is a remarkable power of the picturesque in the fragments we have of / Ennius, Actius, and other very old Roman writers. This vivid manner was / lost in the Augustan age.

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Sympathy of Ancient and English Mind is listed on Textopian as an essay by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, dated 1834 CE.

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Work type: Essay
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Date: 1834 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Criticism, Philosophy, Historical Analysis, Comparative Literature, Cultural Studies
Length: 515 words
Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Genres

Literary Criticism — The work analyzes and critiques ancient and English literature, focusing on the influence of Greek and Roman writers.
Philosophy — It explores themes of national character, cultural influence, and the evolution of literature, reflecting philosophical ideas about civilization.
Historical Analysis — The text discusses historical contexts of literature and the development of nations, particularly Rome and its relationship with Greece.
Comparative Literature — It compares different literary traditions and their impacts on each other, particularly between ancient and English literature.