What is the meaning of the poem Christabel?
What is the meaning of the poem Christabel?
In it Coleridge aimed to show how naked energy might be redeemed through contact with a spirit of innocent love. Christabel is the innocent, virtuous daughter of Sir Leoline. While praying in the woods at night for her fiancé, she finds Geraldine, a lady in distress whom she takes home to her father’s castle.
Why is Christabel out in the woods at night?
The previous night, the lady Christabel had worrying dreams about the knight that she is engaged to marry. She feels compelled to go alone into the woods at night to pray for his welfare. She prays at the foot of an enormous oak tree.
What is the main theme of the poem Christabel?
“Christabel” juxtaposes the theme of sin versus religiosity, evil versus devoutness, and sexuality versus purity. In this poem, the central character Christabel represents purity, religiosity and devoutness whereas Geraldine symbolizes evil, sin and sexuality.
Why was Christabel praying at the middle of night?
“Chrsitabel” features multiple meaningful dreams. In fact, the reason Christabel is in the woods at such an unholy hour is because “She had dreams all yesternight/Of her own betrothed knight;/And she in the midnight wood will pray.” (Lines 27-29).
How is Christabel a romantic poem?
Romantic ideas found throughout Coleridge’s text as “Christabel is a typically Romantic poem in that it chronicles a fall from innocence to experience.” (Davison,168) The Gothic form offers an ability to represent traditional romantic notions, yet in an entirely innovative perspective as it allows the rose colored …
Is Geraldine evil in Christabel?
Geraldine is not actually evil at all. She is simply possessed by an evil spirit that is directing her to commit these sins against poor Christabel and her father.
Why was Sir Leoline angry with Christabel?
There were very strict codes of hospitality among nobles, and the smallest oversight could be considered a massive slight toward another noble if these codes were not followed. Ultimately, Leoline feels that Christabel has violated these codes, insulting his honor as a knight and a host to this poor woman.
What kind of poem is Christabel?
Christabel is a long narrative ballad by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, in two parts. The first part was reputedly written in 1797, and the second in 1800. Coleridge planned three additional parts, but these were never completed.
What are the Gothic elements in Christabel?
His poem “Christabel” is a prime example of his supernatural work. It contains quintessential gothic characteristics, such as dark scenery, damsels in distress, and a hint of the supernatural. These Gothic elements make “Christabel” a Gothic poem hidden beneath a Romantic mask.
Is Geraldine a vampire in Christabel?
While the character of Geraldine is not explicitly a vampire, she possesses several vampiric qualities.
What happens to Geraldine in Christabel?
Geraldine is controlled by a mysterious spell in the poem. She puts same spell on Christabel. Once Christabel tangibly recovers from the spell, she seems to change. Christabel’s compassion for Geraldine have vanished and she begs her father to cast Geraldine out of their home.
Why is Christabel a romantic poem?
How does Coleridge deal with the element of supernaturalism in Christabel?
It is the hour when the spirit of the dead wife of the Baron visits the castle to guard her daughter from evil spirit. Coleridge actually brings forth the human self or human qualities with his supernatural elements with the use of secondary imagination.
Why did Coleridge use supernatural?
3.6. The Convincing and Realistic Nature of Coleridge’s Supernaturalism. Coleridge humanizes his supernaturalism in order to make it more realistic and persuasive.
Why is Coleridge a romantic poet?
2.1. Coleridge was a co-founder of Romanticism in English literature. In his rich romantic imagination, suggestiveness, symbolism, love of nature, fascination for the remote, treatment of the supernatural, medievalism, love of music, and the dream quality of his poetry, Coleridge is a Romantic poet up to every inch.
How does Coleridge use imagery?
Coleridge uses very vivid imageries in order to intensify the sufferings. The imagery through which the isolation of the mariners is shown is an audio-visual imagery “the silent sea”. Coleridge gives the picture of a lonely silent sea. The ship has been suddenly becalmed.
What is Coleridge’s most famous poem?
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
The collection is considered the first great work of the Romantic school of poetry and contains Coleridge’s famous poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.”
What type of poet was ST Coleridge?
| Samuel Taylor Coleridge | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Poet critic philosopher |
| Alma mater | Jesus College, Cambridge |
| Literary movement | Romanticism |
| Notable works | The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Kubla Khan, Christabel, Conversation poems, Biographia Literaria |
What does the albatross symbolize?
Birds of the Month: Albert and Wisdom As punishment, he is forced to wear the bird around its neck, making the albatross a symbol of his burden and regret. Good omens in life and bad omens in death, albatrosses have become symbols of both good and bad luck.
Why did the Mariner shoot the albatross?
On the surface of things the Mariner kills the albatross because he figured the lack of wind was all the bird’s fault. The men were petty creatures. When the wind blew it was all “good albatross” but when the wind stopped it was all “damn albatross”.