Coleridge's Ancient Mariner Editor Ellen Garrigues

Samuel Coleridge was born in Devonshire in the year 1772. With a lengthy life, he struggled with finances and an addiction to laudanum (an opiate). He died in 1834. Sixty-two years of life is a comparable long in comparison to his predecessors.

Coleridge's life has many paradoxes. He was born in a parish and his Father was a Priest. However, there is an implication the Coleridge was promiscuous and a prefers men. Coleridge is famous as a Poet; however, he only published a handful of poems. There is a spiritual or religious overtone to his writing; however, there is a sense of wanting to express scientific and philosophical ideals.

Ellen E. Garrigues was an Editor in the nineteenth century. I cannot find her biography. It is clear she is a person with interests in preserving the substantial poetry of her lifetime.

This poem, "Ancient Mariner," is not different from his usual work. Though the story is of a man joining a Sailing Crew, there is a distinctive subplot. It might be impossible for Coleridge to understand or write a believable plot without the use of religious imagery.

There are similarities to the Biblical Story of Job. A couple of Job's hardships include surviving a ship wreck and disastrous wedding. He was the only survivor; ergo, there is an ominous part of the story that only makes sense to Religious People. The Ancient Mariner forewarns Wedding Guest with his tale of the sea.

The language is easily understood. Several words are from Old English. Unlike Old English, the composition is mostly Modern English. Verses are rhythmic and easy to read. There is the overall plot of surviving a journey into the unknown. It has an abundance of imagery and playful nuance.

One of the key phrases for the subplot is, "Instead of the cross, the Albatross about my neck was hung." This awakening of belief in God might be an intentional reason or philosophical ideal to explain surviving wreckage that kills the other Sailors. It appears to explain a steady belief of having faith in God to endure through complications in life.

This book is a classic. It is a fun book to read because of the rise and fall of the meter and short, understandable words. It is a good example of poetic license in the eighteenth century. Poetic license was extremely formal. Though as entertaining to someone learning to read, it is insightful for Religious People and Theologians.

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Poetry Breakdown
Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

John Keats Lyric Poems

Another book published by Dover Thrift Editions, their books are great because they leave out footnotes and let people enjoy the unabridged writings of literary giants. In fact, the inside cover is an excellent lists many of the greatest literary poems, stories and plays.

Keats is a name people throw around. "Have you ever read Keats?" Asking the question in a way to imply they are evaluating a person's intelligence. Though many people hear the name, they are not fully aware of what to expect. One of the main characteristics of his poems is a warm, loving catalysts of nature. Several poems open with enchanting visions of sweet buds, fields and gardens.

It is an interesting backdrop to tales about pining and losing love. Some poems feature a back ally lifestyle with harlots. He has a positive outlook on nightlife. The fierce contrast usually portrayed by family members.

Most of the poems have a melancholy element though not horror. Surprised to find some of his poetry hinges on morbid "Isabella," also know as, "Pot of Basil" is shocking. A plot in the long, lurid tale refers to Isabella clinging to her lost and then found lover's face in a pot of basil. Sadly she found people of her own court killed her lover and tragically shrieks, "To steal my pot of basil away from me," expressing anguish and confusion over why they took her one true love.

Beyond a notable ability to harness keywords and paint elaborate pictures in few words the lyrical content enhances the poetry. The melody is fun to read aloud. Everyone, especially actors, will have fun reading the poems in the balmy, soothing tones. "Thou still unravish'd bride of quietness," from Ode on a Grecian Urn is a powerful introduction.

A person must have knowledge of Greek Mythology and Shakespearean plays to understand Cyclades' association with Pan, since Pan is a character in "a Midsummer Night's Dream." Even without an exact interpretation, the use of keywords carries the story forward effectively. Names, such as, Porphyro and Cyclades are then difficult to pronounce.

After reading Keats, a person may want to avoid declaring they are a fan. It is complicated and everyone has their own opinions. I recommend this book to anyone with curiosity or literary leanings. John Keats lived from 1795 to 1821 and is incredibly unlike anything related to common assumptions.

Poetry Breakdown
Lines on the Mermaid Tavern by John Keats