The Beautiful Simplicities of Life

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Recommended: Nature in poetry

Samuel Taylor Coleridge was known for being a big hearted man. In his poem “This Lime-Tree Bower My Prison” Coleridge proves this legacy by caring for his dear friend Charles. In his own discontentment, Coleridge sits in his garden and wishes his friend could enjoy the luxuries of nature daily. His situation that summer in 1797 provided him the opportunity to emotionally express this simple appreciation of nature in three brilliant stanzas.

Initially, the situation of Coleridge’s circumstances and the story are vital in dissecting this poem. The Wordsworth’s and Charles Lamb came to visit Coleridge in June of 1797. Earlier that morning, he unfortunately underwent an accident preventing him from moving for the duration of their visit. (Bansal) It has been said that his wife had accidentally poured boiling milk onto his foot, laming him for days. (Hill) While Coleridge’s friends were visiting they decided to take a walk through the sites to enjoy nature. Coleridge expresses two focuses, his inability to walk with his friends and sympathy for his dear friend Charles who doesn’t have the opportunity to relish in the beauty of nature every day. (Bansal)

These ideas both play a major role in the tone of the entire poem. The initial tone of the poem is overly depressing. Coleridge sulks in the fact that he cannot partake in the nature walk. The first stanza presents the feeling of loneliness, “Friends, whom I never more may meet again”. Coleridge simply refuses to free himself of his mental prison and accept the beauty around him. Transitioning into the second stanza, Coleridge becomes like a wide-eyed dreamer, vicariously living through his friends. Sharing the sights they see through the mere images of his mind. Finally, the third s...

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... life and weaving them into profound poetry. All too often, we overlook our surroundings. Wishing we were a part of something perceived to be greater. Coleridge expressed to his dear friend Charles, to open his eyes to the beauty of nature. And in turn, communicated this concept to the world. Samuel Taylor Coleridge will go down in history as the poet who was simply lonely by a lime-tree, however we now know the true meaning and how it meant so much more.

Works Cited

Bansal, Siddharth. "A Literary Guide to Southwest England." Kenyon College, 2007. Web. 2

Apr 2011. .

Hill, John. "A Coleridge Companion." University of Georgia, n.d. Web. 5 Apr 2011.

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McGrath, Jarra. Taking IT Global. Paranorma, 1-5-2003. Web. 3 March 2011.

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"Themes." Shmoop. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Apr 2011. .

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