Samuel Taylor Coleridge, while generally supportive of Wordsworth’s ideas in the Preface to Lyrical Ballads, disagreed with his insistence on using the language of common people. Coleridge’s primary criticism was that poetry should elevate language beyond ordinary speech through imagination and rhythm.
His key arguments were:
Everyday language lacks the power of poetic imagination – Coleridge believed that while poetry should be natural, it should also be transformed by the poet’s imagination to create something richer than ordinary speech.
Meter and rhythm distinguish poetry from prose – He argued that poetry is not just ordinary language but is heightened by meter, structure, and musicality, which make it distinct from casual speech.
Some poetic diction is necessary – While he agreed that poetry should avoid excessive ornamentation, he believed that certain figurative language, metaphors, and elevated diction were essential to convey deep emotions and complex ideas effectively.
In short, Coleridge saw poetry as a creative and imaginative art form that should not be limited to the everyday language of rural people but should transcend it through rhythm, imagination, and artistic expression.
