Wedded Love in Shakespeare

Name: Wedded Love in Shakespeare
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The work examines the concept of wedded love as portrayed in the plays of Shakespeare compared to his contemporaries. It argues that while other dramatists, such as Massinger and Beaumont and Fletcher, often depict love as primarily driven by physical desire, Shakespeare presents a more profound and idealized vision of marital love. The analysis highlights the absence of genuine emotional connection in the works of these other playwrights, where characters frequently discuss the suitor's social status or physical attributes rather than their emotional or intellectual compatibility. The text emphasizes Shakespeare's unique ability to transcend the superficiality of his time, showcasing a deeper understanding of love that encompasses emotional, spiritual, and intellectual dimensions. This portrayal is contrasted with the more transactional and utilitarian views of love found in the works of his peers, suggesting that Shakespeare's representation of wedded love is not only more nuanced but also more aspirational. The author also briefly critiques the poetry of Tennyson, suggesting that while there are beautiful elements in his work, there is a lack of understanding of meter that undermines his poetic expression. The recommendation is made for Tennyson to focus on established metrical forms to develop a better grasp of rhythm and harmony in his writing. Overall, the work serves as a defense of Shakespeare's portrayal of love, positioning it as a significant and enduring contribution to literature that elevates the concept of marriage beyond mere physical attraction to a celebration of emotional and intellectual union.

By Samuel Taylor Coleridge · First published 1839 · Genre: Literary Criticism, Drama, Poetry · 313 words

First lines

Except in Shakspeare, you can find no such thing as a pure conception of wedded love in our old dramatists. In Massinger, and Beaumont and Fletcher, it really is on both sides little better than sheer animal desire. There is scarcely a suitor in all their plays, whose _abilities_ are not discussed by the lady or her waiting-woman. In this, as in all things, how transcendant over his age and his rivals was our sweet Shakspeare!

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Wedded Love in Shakespeare is listed on Textopian as an essay by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, dated 1839 CE.

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Work type: Essay
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Date: 1839 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Criticism, Drama, Poetry, Romanticism, Philosophy
Length: 313 words
Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Genres

Literary Criticism — The work analyzes Shakespeare's portrayal of wedded love compared to other dramatists, focusing on themes and character motivations.
Drama — The discussion revolves around the dramatic representations of love in Shakespeare's plays and those of his contemporaries.
Poetry — Coleridge references poetic forms and meter, indicating an exploration of poetic structure and its impact on expression.
Romanticism — The emphasis on idealized love and emotional depth aligns with Romantic literary themes.