What are the points of disagreement between Wordsworth and Coleridge? ( MEG 102 ) ( S. T. COLERIDGE )

Although William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge had a productive collaboration on the Lyrical Ballads, they also had some points of disagreement. Some of the major areas of disagreement between the two poets include:

Philosophy of Imagination: Coleridge placed greater emphasis on the role of imagination in poetry and believed that it was essential for a poet to have a vivid and active imagination. Wordsworth, on the other hand, believed that imagination should be grounded in the real world and should be based on the everyday experiences of ordinary people.

Use of Supernatural Elements: Coleridge often used supernatural elements in his poetry, such as ghosts, demons, and supernatural beings. Wordsworth, however, preferred to focus on the natural world and the experiences of ordinary people, and was skeptical of the use of supernatural elements in poetry.

Poetic Style: Coleridge was known for his complex and ornate poetic style, while Wordsworth preferred a more simple and natural style of writing. This difference in style sometimes led to tension between the two poets.

Politics: Wordsworth was a political conservative who supported the British monarchy, while Coleridge was more sympathetic to liberal and radical political ideas. This political difference sometimes led to tension between the two poets, especially during the tumultuous political climate of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Despite these differences, however, Wordsworth and Coleridge shared a deep respect for each other's work and were able to collaborate effectively on the Lyrical Ballads. Their friendship and intellectual exchange contributed significantly to the development of English Romanticism and had a lasting impact on English literature.