Supernatural In Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poetry

Supernatural In Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poetry

Introduction

In this review I have analyzed the work of Bernard, Ernest E (Boston University) on super naturalism on S.T Coleridge's poetry. He argued on different things about Coleridge's poetry which have influence of supernatural elements in the poems. In this review we will find the supernatural elements in Coleridge's poetry and how drugs influenced in his creations.

Abstract

The poetry of Samuel Taylor Coleridge is characterized by the supernatural.  The words come from Latin “Super” meaning above and “Natural” meaning nature. Super natural is beyond the grasp of the physical senses, it is immaterial and spiritual. Coleridge was thoroughly romantic in this conception of supernatural. The exotic and fantastic nature of the supernatural in his poems is to realize that the “Ancient mariner” was indirectly influenced by his opium dreams and “Kubla Khan” was the direct result of opium dream.

Literature review

First of all we need to know how super natural is defined as a theme, we can see the presence of super naturalism in the “Beowulf” and “here come Mr Jordan” both of these works have super naturalism as themes so, we can defy it as a theme. Super natural is also defined as something which is “beyond nature” or beyond general law of nature. Other point to note before going on ward is knowing that ST Coleridge was an opium addict and we find evidence of him being an addict at the age of 17. His famous works such as christabel and the ancient mariner are not total dream vision works but they were some how inspired by his opium addiction. He said that “His bodily feelings are linked with his ideas” that’s how its probable that the effects of opium produced within him were substance for his poetry. For deep understanding of super naturalism in his poems we need to look at his works such as:

Ancient Mariner:  In this poem we see dead men navigating ship. An Albatross which was probably inspired by “platonic demons”. ST Coleridge intended the albatross to represent one of tutelary spirits of the reign or that he merely used its being shot to bring down the vengeful wrath of the spirits in a material form. The albatross was a good omen, but in killing it, the mariner had brought down a hellish thing. The platonic demon and its effects are supernatural in this poem. The ship is also defying the natural laws by moving without a breeze or without a tide, we can assume a superior force which is not seen but is present, this is what we see as supernatural in this poem.

Kubla Khan: “where Alph, the sacred river, ran

                      Ran through caverns measureless to man

                      Down to a sunless sea”

Here we can see some supernatural scenery. The unfathomable caverns of the mighty river, which ran out of paradise lie beneath a garden bright with sensuous rills and fragrant with the incense bearing tree of Eden.

“They reached the caverns measureless to men

And sank in tumult to a lifeless sea

And mid tumult Kubla heard from far

Anostral voices prophesying war.”

The scene is definitely exotic. A “sacred river that runs through caverns measureless, to man down to a sunless sea, “and sinks” in tumult to a lifeless sea,” even though it makes beautiful poetry, is unworldly; and so are “incense bearing trees” and “dancing rocks” that flung up momently the sacred river, and the ancestral voices prophesying war. The poem is certainly supernatural In atmosphere and foreshadows great possibilities.

Conclusion

The opium addiction of Coleridge resulted in dream vision which paved way for supernatural in literature.The ancient mariner and Kubla Khan are worthy contributions of Samuel Taylor Coleridge to the literature and it was all due to his use of supernatural elements. His ability to use concrete with abstract and natural with supernatural helped and provided both the elements of belief and interest.

This article was written as an educational assignment 
by Khan Muhammad Zardari.