Coleridge's Writings: On Language

The theory of language in its many aspects preoccupied Coleridge throughout his career as the premier poet-critic of England's Romantic company. This collection of passages from his scattered contributions in the subject presents an imposing revision of the Enlightenment approach to language. Coleridge's reflections are traced to his engagement with the work of Edmund Burke, and of David Hartley, Horne Tooke, John Locke and others. Selections from his verse, notebooks, letters, journalism and ephemera are arranged under headings including the language of politics; language and culture; the language of poetry; theory of language; words and things; organ of language; and the language of religion. The editor's introduction situates Coleridge's achievement as a theorist of language in this momentous transitional era, and with modern theory in mind. Editorial interventions in each chapter link Coleridge's concerns across time and topic.