Wordsworth and Coleridge's differing conceptions of nature in Lyrical Ballads

Wordsworth and Coleridge's Response To Nature

Nature has played an important role in inspiring poets throughout time and William Wordsworth's involvement in discussing this topic is especially intriguing, considering the strong connection that the poet seems to have with the natural world. By taking into account Samuel Taylor Coleridge's perspective on Wordsworth's writings, one can gain a more complex understanding concerning the latter's feelings with regard to the environment. Wordsworth practically worshipped nature and this is reflected by most of his poems, especially considering that the emotions he described make him one of the Romantic era's greatest nature lovers.

This proposal is meant to discuss with regard to the relationship between Wordsworth and Coleridge and to how this respective relationship was deeply influenced by the feelings that the two poets experienced with regard to nature. Coleridge's poem "To William Wordsworth" actually relates to how the poet understood his friend and how he understood his friends love for nature. Coleridge virtually supports this type of affection and puts across his personal love for the natural world, but cannot abstain from recounting his personal issues. It is actually rather difficult to determine the exact message that he wanted to put across through this poem, as while he seems to want to praise Wordsworth and the love that they both feel toward nature, it also seems that he considers himself to be in an unprivileged position -- one that prevents him from being able to advance.

Research question

The research question discussed in this proposal regards the relationship between Wordsworth and Coleridge by focusing on their understanding of nature. One of the most impressive concepts regarding Wordsworth and his feelings with regard to nature is that he emphasizing as a separate entity in most of his poems. He does not describe it as simply being there to provide for humanity, as it has an identity of its own and as the poet seems determined to provide it with special treatment. Coleridge is also concerned about showing nature as a poor concept and as something that needs to be praised on account of how it is on a different level from humanity in general.

Wordsworth and Coleridge's 1798 novel "Lyrical Ballads" is largely considered responsible for triggering the beginning of the English Romantic movement in literature. Even with the fact that the two poets collaborated in writing this novel and that they both openly emphasized their love for the natural world, they tend to disagree on certain aspects regarding nature. The fact that they both consider it to be one of the strongest forces in the universe influenced them to try and enable the masses to see it from their perspective. To a certain degree, it appears that Wordsworth wanted to portray nature as a sacred concept only as a result of its relationship with humanity. In contrast, Coleridge focused on describing nature as a body that was sacred on its own and that did not necessarily need to develop a connection with people in order to be appreciated on account of its sacredness.

Even with the fact that he made important contributions to Lyrical Ballads, Coleridge's involvement in the book pales in comparison to Wordsworth's. The latter is virtually responsible for most of the book. However, it is intriguing to see how Coleridge's poems are in certain occasions especially important in making readers better acquainted with Wordsworth. To a certain degree, it would seem normal to consider Coleridge as being more disturbed and as being more interested in writing with regard to abstract concepts. Wordsworth's descriptions of the natural world actually seem to be simpler, despite the fact that they relate to very complex ideas.

To lift the smothering weight from off my breast?" (ll. 38-41)

It is not necessarily that Wordsworth does not acknowledge the fact that he is only human and that he is separate from nature. The simple fact that he chooses to perceive this particular separation as a reason to rejoice makes it possible for readers to gain a better understanding of his thinking. Similarly, Coleridge chooses to show his frustration with being separate from nature. Even though he truly appreciates it, he cannot help but relate to how it would be impossible for him to really understand it on account of his personality.

"Dejection: An Ode" really goes at attacking Coleridge's character and one can be inclined to consider this particular poem as having masochistic influences. It seems that the poet wanted to show the contrast between himself and Wordsworth by relating to how his friend could take great pleasure from solitude while he was only able to suffer as a result of being alone. Coleridge's tendency to harm himself while promoting his friend is certainly unhealthy and serves to prove that he was particularly troubled at the time when he chose to work together with his friend in trying to speak about nature.

Conclusion

Looking at how both Coleridge and Wordsworth seem to have trouble finding their personal identity is both confusing and impressive at the same time. It appears that the two friends significantly assisted each-other in being able to understand their position in the world and what they wanted from society. Wordsworth was obsessed with perfecting his understanding of himself and of the natural world. "In trying to go back to the wholeness of his earlier life, he was in fact attempting a psychological impossibility; there is evidence even in The Prelude that he was not entirely happy about it." (Lacey 48)

While Coleridge seemed to acknowledge his limitations as a result of his relationship with Wordsworth, the latter appears to have benefited greatly and to have even progressed because of accepting his friend into his life. It is possible that Coleridge chose to write "To William Wordsworth" in an attempt to have his readers realize the suffering that his friend had brought upon his life. It is not necessarily that he was jealous, as he simply acknowledged that he had come across someone greater than him and someone whom it was likely that he would never be able to surpass.

Works cited:

Coleridge, S.T. & Wordsworth, W. 2008. Lyrical Ballads. Broadview Press.

Lacey, N. 1948. Wordsworth's View of Nature and Its Ethical Consequences. CUP Archive