'Garden Of Boccaccio, The' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge


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[exerpt]
Of late, in one of those most weary hours,
When life seems emptied of all genial powers,
A dready mood, which he who ne'er has known
May bless his happy lot, I sate alone ;
And, from the numbing spell to win relief,
Call'd on the Past for thought of glee or grief.
In vain ! bereft alike of grief and glee,
I sate and cow'r'd o'er my own vacancy !
And as I watch'd the dull continuous ache,
Which, all else slumb'ring, seem'd alone to wake ;
O Friend ! long wont to notice yet conceal,
And soothe by silence what words cannot heal,
I but half saw that quiet hand of thine
Place on my desk this exquisite design.
Boccaccio's Garden and its faery,
The love, the joyaunce, and the gallantry !
An Idyll, with Boccaccio's spirit warm,
Framed in the silent poesy of form.

Like flocks adown a newly-bathéd steep
Emerging from a mist : or like a stream
Of music soft that not dispels the sleep,
But casts in happier moulds the slumberer's dream,
Gazed by an idle eye with silent might
The picture stole upon my inward sight.
A tremulous warmth crept gradual o'er my chest,
As though an infant's finger touch'd my breast.
And one by one (I know not whence) were brought
All spirits of power that most had stirr'd my thought
In selfless boyhood, on a new world tost
Of wonder, and in its own fancies lost ;
Or charm'd my youth, that, kindled from above,
Loved ere it loved, and sought a form for love ;
Or lent a lustre to the earnest scan
Of manhood, musing what and whence is man !
...
And many a verse which to myself I sang,
That woke the tear, yet stole away the pang,
Of hopes, which in lamenting I renew'd :
...

Thanks, gentle artist ! now I can descry
Thy fair creation with a mastering eye,
And all awake ! And now in fix'd gaze stand,
Now wander through the Eden of thy hand ;
...
I see no longer ! I myself am there,
Sit on the ground-sward, and the banquet share.
'Tis I, that sweep that lute's love-echoing strings,
And gaze upon the maid who gazing sings :
Or pause and listen to the tinkling bells
From the high tower, and think that there she dwells.
With old Boccaccio's soul I stand possest,
And breathe an air like life, that swells my chest.
...

Still in thy garden let me watch their pranks,
...
With that sly satyr peeping through the leaves !

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Garden of Boccaccio by Samuel Taylor Coleridge: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Wow, where do I even begin with this one? The Garden of Boccaccio by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is a masterpiece of poetry that is both beautiful and complex. It is a work that has been analyzed and interpreted by countless scholars over the years, and for good reason. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will do my best to unpack some of the themes and motifs in this poem, as well as explore its deeper meanings.

The Setting of the Poem

Let's start with the setting of the poem, which is the Garden of Boccaccio. This is a reference to the Italian writer Giovanni Boccaccio, who wrote the famous collection of stories known as The Decameron. The Garden of Boccaccio is a sort of mythical place, a garden that represents the idyllic and perfect world that exists only in our imaginations.

The garden itself is described in vivid detail by Coleridge, who uses rich imagery to create a sense of beauty and tranquility. He describes the flowers, the trees, and the birds, and we can almost feel ourselves walking through the garden as we read.

But there is also a sense of melancholy that pervades the poem. The speaker describes the garden as a place of refuge, where he can escape from the troubles of the world. But even here, in this idyllic setting, he cannot escape his own thoughts and fears. There is a sense of isolation and loneliness that runs through the poem, as if the speaker is trapped in his own mind.

The Themes of the Poem

One of the main themes of The Garden of Boccaccio is the power of the imagination. Coleridge was a Romantic poet, and one of the defining characteristics of Romanticism was an emphasis on the imagination as a source of creativity and inspiration. In this poem, Coleridge celebrates the power of the imagination to transport us to another world, to a place where we can escape from the troubles of the everyday world.

But there is also a darker side to the power of the imagination. The speaker in the poem is trapped in his own mind, unable to escape his own thoughts and fears. His imagination becomes a prison, instead of a refuge. This speaks to the idea that the line between reality and fantasy is a thin one, and that the power of the imagination can be both liberating and imprisoning.

Another theme that runs through the poem is the relationship between nature and the human psyche. Coleridge was a nature poet, and his love of the natural world is evident in this poem. But there is also a sense that nature is not just an external force, but that it is also intimately connected to our own inner lives. The trees and flowers and birds in the garden are not just objects to be admired, but they are also reflections of the speaker's own emotional state.

The Motifs of the Poem

One of the most striking motifs in The Garden of Boccaccio is the use of color. Coleridge uses color to create a sense of mood and atmosphere throughout the poem. The colors red and white are particularly prominent, and they symbolize different things depending on the context.

Red is often associated with passion and intensity, and in the poem it represents the speaker's own emotional turmoil. He describes the flowers in the garden as being "red as the lip of a maiden," and we can almost feel the intensity of his emotions as we read.

White, on the other hand, is associated with purity and innocence. In the poem, it represents the idea of escape from the troubles of the world. The speaker describes the white flowers in the garden as "snowy," and we can almost feel the sense of peace and tranquility that they evoke.

Another motif that runs through the poem is the idea of movement. The speaker describes the birds in the garden as "fluttering" and "flying," and he himself is constantly in motion, walking through the garden and experiencing its many wonders. This sense of movement creates a sense of energy and vitality that is characteristic of Romantic poetry.

The Language of the Poem

Finally, let's talk about the language of the poem. Coleridge was a master of language, and his use of imagery and metaphor is what makes The Garden of Boccaccio such a rich and complex work. He uses words like "sighing," "whispering," and "murmuring" to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. His use of metaphor is particularly striking, as he compares the flowers in the garden to the lips of maidens, and the birds to "winged thoughts."

But perhaps the most striking aspect of the language in the poem is its musicality. Coleridge was also a musician, and his love of music is evident in the way he uses language. The poem has a sort of rhythm to it, a musicality that is both beautiful and hypnotic. It is a poem that is meant to be read aloud, to be savored for its musicality as well as its meaning.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Garden of Boccaccio by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is a masterpiece of poetry that is both beautiful and complex. It explores themes of imagination, nature, and the human psyche, and it does so with a language that is both rich and musical. It is a poem that rewards careful reading and interpretation, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to move and inspire us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Poetry Garden of Boccaccio, written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, is a masterpiece of poetic imagination and creativity. This poem is a tribute to the Italian writer Giovanni Boccaccio, who is best known for his collection of stories called The Decameron. Coleridge's poem is a celebration of the power of poetry to transport us to another world, to inspire us, and to awaken our senses.

The poem begins with a description of a beautiful garden, which is the setting for the poem. The garden is described as a place of peace and tranquility, where the poet can escape from the noise and chaos of the world. The garden is filled with flowers, trees, and birds, and the air is filled with the sweet scent of nature. The poet describes the garden as a place of beauty and harmony, where everything is in balance.

As the poem progresses, the poet begins to explore the power of poetry to transport us to another world. He describes how poetry can take us on a journey through time and space, and how it can awaken our senses and our emotions. He describes how poetry can make us feel alive, and how it can inspire us to be better people.

The poet then turns his attention to Boccaccio, and he describes how Boccaccio's stories have the power to transport us to another world. He describes how Boccaccio's stories are filled with passion, love, and adventure, and how they can inspire us to live our lives to the fullest. He describes how Boccaccio's stories are a celebration of life, and how they can help us to appreciate the beauty of the world around us.

The poem then takes a more philosophical turn, as the poet explores the nature of reality and the power of the imagination. He describes how the imagination can create new worlds, and how it can help us to see the world in a new light. He describes how the imagination can help us to break free from the constraints of reality, and how it can help us to explore new possibilities.

The poem ends with a celebration of the power of poetry to inspire us and to awaken our senses. The poet describes how poetry can help us to see the world in a new light, and how it can help us to appreciate the beauty of the world around us. He describes how poetry can help us to connect with our emotions, and how it can help us to live our lives to the fullest.

Overall, The Poetry Garden of Boccaccio is a masterpiece of poetic imagination and creativity. It is a celebration of the power of poetry to transport us to another world, to inspire us, and to awaken our senses. It is a tribute to the Italian writer Giovanni Boccaccio, and it is a celebration of the power of the imagination to create new worlds and to help us see the world in a new light. If you are a lover of poetry, then this poem is a must-read.

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