The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (The Complete Edition) (eBook)

Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) was a profound English poet, critic, and philosopher whose work heralded the Romantic movement alongside contemporaries like William Wordsworth, with whom he collaborated on the groundbreaking 'Lyrical Ballads' (1798). Best known for poems such as 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' (The Complete Edition) and 'Kubla Khan', Coleridge's writing is distinguished by its vivid imagery, supernatural themes, and innovative use of language. His major contribution through 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' explores human fallibility, divine retribution, and redemption, threaded with deeply symbolic and allegorical elements. This narrative poem, famous for its archaic and rhythmic language, remains a staple in the study of English literature for its intricate structure and moral complexity. Coleridge's critical work, especially 'Biographia Literaria' (1817), helped to establish the canon for literary criticism and remains influential for its insights into the creative process and the poet's imagination. Despite struggling with opium addiction, which affected his health and productivity, Coleridge was a prolific writer and an integral part of the intellectual circles of his time. His ideas on poetic theory, especially regarding the suspension of disbelief, marked a radical shift from neoclassical forms and contributed immensely to the aesthetics of Romanticism. Coleridge's literary legacy continues to captivate scholars and readers alike with its enduring appeal and psychological depth.