

Episode 247: Introduction to "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Edition Choice
- Don't stress about which edition of "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" to read.
- Use whichever edition you have available, as the differences are not critical for initial engagement.
Lyrical Ballads
- Wordsworth's preface to the Lyrical Ballads doesn't fully represent Coleridge's contributions.
- Coleridge's "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" is more fantastical than Wordsworth's "common life" poetry.
Romantic Differences
- Wordsworth's theory of poetry as "spontaneous overflow of emotion" influenced art's view.
- Coleridge viewed the imagination as a tool for truth, unlike the 18th-century emphasis on pure reason.





































On The Literary Life podcast this week, Angelina Stanford and Thomas Banks begin their newest series, this time discussing Samuel Taylor Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner. First, Thomas and Angelina speak to the question of different editions of this poem, then they dive into the background on Coleridge, William Wordsworth, and the lyrical ballads. They discuss the artistic and cultural moment in which Coleridge is writing, particularly the Romantic period in literature. Angelina talks about the Romantics and why they used so much medieval language and used allegory so heavily. She shares some examples of the writers in this vein seeking to rediscover and return to ancient tradition and stories. Thomas also considers Coleridge as a poet and a person. Finally, they give some helpful information and tips for those approaching this text for the first time.
To see all the books and get the full show notes for today's episode, visit our website for the complete show notes here: https://www.theliterary.life/247/.