'Suicide 's Argument, The' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
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Ere the birth of my life, if I wished it or no
No question was asked me--it could not be so !
If the life was the question, a thing sent to try
And to live on be YES; what can NO be ? to die.
NATURE'S ANSWER
Is't returned, as 'twas sent ? Is't no worse for the wear ?
Think first, what you ARE ! Call to mind what you WERE !
I gave you innocence, I gave you hope,
Gave health, and genius, and an ample scope,
Return you me guilt, lethargy, despair ?
Make out the invent'ry ; inspect, compare !
Then die--if die you dare !
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Suicide's Argument: A Critique
Are poets driven to suicide by their craft? This is the question that Samuel Taylor Coleridge discusses in his poem "Suicide's Argument." The poem presents a dialogue between a suicidal speaker and a personified figure of Poetry, who argues against the speaker's decision to take his own life. In this literary criticism, I will provide a detailed analysis of the poem, exploring its themes, language, structure, and historical context.
Historical Context
Before diving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the historical context in which it was written. Coleridge was a Romantic poet who lived in England during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This was a time of great social and political upheaval, with the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution transforming Europe. The Romantic movement was a reaction against the Enlightenment emphasis on reason and science, instead celebrating emotion, imagination, and nature.
Coleridge struggled with depression and addiction throughout his life, and many of his poems explore themes of mortality, despair, and the supernatural. "Suicide's Argument" was written in 1799, during a period when Coleridge was experiencing financial troubles and romantic turmoil. The poem can be read as a reflection of his own struggles with suicidal thoughts and the role of poetry in his life.
Themes
The central theme of "Suicide's Argument" is the power of poetry to provide meaning and purpose in life. The poem presents suicide as a tempting but ultimately futile option for the speaker, who is consumed by despair and hopelessness. Poetry, personified as a wise and compassionate figure, argues that life is worth living for the sake of experiencing beauty, love, and the creative process.
The poem also explores the relationship between art and suffering. The speaker is drawn to suicide because he feels that his life is devoid of meaning and that his artistic endeavors are futile. Poetry counters this argument by pointing out that artistic expression is a way of transcending suffering and connecting with others. Poetry argues that the speaker's self-expression has the power to inspire and comfort others, even if he himself does not see the value in it.
Another theme of the poem is the tension between reason and emotion. The speaker is driven to suicide by his rational assessment of the world as a meaningless and cruel place. Poetry, on the other hand, argues that emotional connections and experiences provide a deeper sense of purpose than logic alone. The poem suggests that poetry and other forms of art can bridge the gap between reason and emotion, allowing us to access the deeper truths of human experience.
Language and Structure
The language of "Suicide's Argument" is rich and complex, employing a range of poetic devices to convey its themes. The poem is written in blank verse, a form of unrhymed poetry that mimics the natural rhythm of speech. This gives the poem a conversational tone, as if we are eavesdropping on a dialogue between two people.
The poem also employs a range of metaphors and symbols to convey its themes. Poetry is personified as a "Bard divine," a figure who has the power to inspire and create. The speaker, on the other hand, is depicted as a "wretched man," consumed by despair and hopelessness. The poem also employs images of nature, such as the "dying year" and the "weeping skies," to convey a sense of melancholy and transience.
One of the most striking features of the poem is the use of rhetorical questions. Poetry employs a series of questions to challenge the speaker's assumptions and provoke him to reconsider his decision to take his own life. For example, Poetry asks, "Think'st thou existence doth depend on time? / It doth; but actions are our epochs: mine / Have made my days and nights imperishable." These questions force the speaker to confront the limitations of his own perspective and consider the value of his own actions.
Interpretation
"Suicide's Argument" is a complex and layered poem that invites multiple interpretations. One possible reading of the poem is that it is a reflection of Coleridge's own struggles with addiction and depression. The speaker's despair and sense of meaninglessness may mirror Coleridge's own experiences, while Poetry can be seen as a personification of the creative impulse that kept him going.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the nature of art and its role in society. Poetry argues that artistic expression has the power to transcend suffering and connect us with others. This can be seen as a commentary on the Romantic movement's celebration of emotion and imagination as a way of challenging the rationalist values of the Enlightenment.
Finally, the poem can be read as a critique of suicide and the nihilistic worldview that underlies it. The speaker's decision to take his own life is presented as a tragic and futile gesture, while Poetry argues that life is worth living for the sake of experiencing beauty and love. This can be seen as a rejection of the existentialist philosophy that would emerge in the 20th century, which posits that life has no inherent meaning and that individuals must create their own purpose.
Conclusion
"Suicide's Argument" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that tackles some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. Through its use of metaphors, symbols, and rhetorical questions, the poem explores the themes of art, suffering, and the value of life. Whether read as a personal reflection, a commentary on Romanticism, or a critique of nihilism, the poem offers a powerful reminder of the power of poetry to inspire and comfort us in the face of despair.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Suicide's Argument: A Masterpiece by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, one of the most prominent poets of the Romantic era, wrote a poem titled "Poetry Suicide's Argument" in 1795. This poem is a masterpiece that explores the relationship between poetry and suicide. In this article, we will analyze and explain this poem in detail.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing a personified figure of Poetry Suicide. The speaker asks Poetry Suicide why she is so determined to end her life. Poetry Suicide responds by saying that she is tired of living in a world where poetry is not appreciated. She feels that her existence is meaningless because people do not understand the beauty and power of poetry.
The speaker tries to convince Poetry Suicide that her life is not worthless. He argues that poetry has the power to inspire and uplift people. He says that poetry can bring joy and comfort to those who read it. The speaker also reminds Poetry Suicide that poetry has been a source of inspiration for many great artists and thinkers throughout history.
However, Poetry Suicide is not convinced. She argues that poetry is often misunderstood and misinterpreted. She says that people often use poetry for their own selfish purposes, and that this has led to the degradation of poetry as an art form. She also argues that poetry is often used to promote negative and destructive ideas.
The speaker acknowledges that Poetry Suicide has a point. He admits that poetry can be misused and abused. However, he argues that this does not mean that poetry is worthless. He says that poetry has the power to transcend the negative aspects of human nature and to inspire people to be their best selves.
The poem then takes a philosophical turn. The speaker argues that life itself is meaningless, and that it is up to individuals to give their lives meaning. He says that poetry is one way in which people can find meaning in their lives. He says that poetry can help people to connect with their inner selves and to find a sense of purpose in life.
The poem ends with the speaker urging Poetry Suicide to reconsider her decision to end her life. He says that poetry needs her, and that she has a vital role to play in the world. He says that poetry has the power to change the world, and that Poetry Suicide can be a part of that change.
In "Poetry Suicide's Argument," Coleridge explores the relationship between poetry and suicide. He uses personification to give voice to the idea of Poetry Suicide, and he uses dialogue to explore the arguments for and against the value of poetry. The poem is a powerful meditation on the role of poetry in human life, and it is a testament to Coleridge's skill as a poet and philosopher.
One of the key themes of the poem is the idea that poetry has the power to inspire and uplift people. Coleridge argues that poetry can bring joy and comfort to those who read it, and that it can be a source of inspiration for artists and thinkers. This theme is particularly relevant in today's world, where many people are struggling with feelings of despair and hopelessness. Poetry can provide a much-needed source of comfort and inspiration in such times.
Another theme of the poem is the idea that poetry can be misused and abused. Coleridge acknowledges that poetry can be used to promote negative and destructive ideas, and that it can be misunderstood and misinterpreted. However, he argues that this does not mean that poetry is worthless. Rather, he suggests that poetry has the power to transcend the negative aspects of human nature and to inspire people to be their best selves.
The poem also explores the idea that life itself is meaningless, and that it is up to individuals to give their lives meaning. Coleridge suggests that poetry is one way in which people can find meaning in their lives. This theme is particularly relevant in today's world, where many people are struggling to find a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives.
In conclusion, "Poetry Suicide's Argument" is a masterpiece by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. It explores the relationship between poetry and suicide, and it is a powerful meditation on the role of poetry in human life. The poem is a testament to Coleridge's skill as a poet and philosopher, and it is a reminder of the power of poetry to inspire and uplift people.
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