The most remarkable part of Biographia Literaria lies in Coleridge‘s criticism of Wordsworth‘s theory of
poetry and poetic Diction. While critically analysing Wordsworth‘s theory Coleridge has offered his own
views on the choice of rustic, themes and characters as well as the language of poetry.
In chapter XVII of Biographia Literaria, Coleridge refers to Wordsworth‘s preface to the second edition of
the Lyrical Ballads. In this preface, Wordsworth made three important statements which Coleridge found
unacceptable. First Wordsworth asserts that the proper diction of poetry consists in the language or the real
conversation of men under the influence of natural feelings. So he chose humble and rustic life, Coleridge
points out that this statement is imperfect at all his characters are not chosen from low and rustic life, eg the
characters in poems like ―Ruth‖, ―Michael‖, ―The brothers‖ etc. Coleridge argues that their language and
sentiments do not necessarily arise from their social standing. They spring from the general causes which
will produce identical feelings in every kind of life either in town or in the country. Moreover, Coleridge
maintains that Wordsworth‘s theory of poetic Diction can be applicable to certain classes of poetry only but
it can never be a rule of general application. In this connection, he refers to Aristotle‘s conception of poetry
as essentially ideal, so that individual characters in poetry should be general and typical, and their feelings
should be typical and representative of the whole class.
Examine Wordsworth‘s theory of Poetic Diction. Coleridge maintains that the language of the rustic purified
from its defects and grossness will not differ materially from the language of any other man of common
sense, however, learned or refined he may be. He points out that the experience of the rustic is very limited;
the facts at his disposal are society; so he cannot think logically. He is unable to connect with fact and
express himself logically, as an educated man can. Therefore, the language of the rustic lacks expressive
visions (and range) making itself unfit for poetry. Coleridge also finds fault with Wordsworth‘s conviction
that the best part of the human language is derived from the objects into which the rustic daily communicate.
The argues that rustic life is narrow and the rustic is actually acquitted with only a few things of life.
Therefore, the words and the combinations of words derived from the very few objects with which the rustic
are familiar, cannot be considered to form the best part of human language is derived from the reflections on
the acts of the mind itself; It is formed by the use of appropriate signs and symbols for the process of human;
imagination and reflection which the uneducated man cannot have. Whatever noble and poetic phrases the
rustic use, are derived not from nature, but from repeated, listening to the Bible and to the sermons.
Giving his critical assessment of the language of prose and poetry as reflected in Wordsworth‘s theory of
Poetic Diction, Coleridge objects to the ambiguity in the use of the word real. Wordsworth maintains that
the language of poetry is selection of the real language of men. Coleridge argues that everyone‘s language
varies according to the extent of his knowledge, the activities of his faculties and the depth and quickness of
his feelings. Everyman‘s language has its individual characteristics the common properties of the class to
which he belongs and the words and phrases of universal use. He points out that the language used in the
poems of Wordsworth differs greatly from the language of a common peasant. Coleridge opines that for the
word real; we should substitute the word ‗ordinary‘. He also objects to Wordsworth‘s addition of the words
―in a state of excitement‖, for emotional excitement may result in a more concentrated expression, but it
cannot create a noble and richer vocabulary. Moreover, a common uncultivated mind, overpowered by a
strong passion can utter broken words or repeat the sets of words and phrases known to him already. It
would be very difficult for a poet to make such language fit for poetry.
Coleridge also disagrees with Wordsworth regarding the statement that there neither is nor can be any
essential difference between the language of prose and metrical composition‖. Coleridge asserts that there is
and there ought to be an essential difference between the languages of prose argues that of poetry. Coleridge
argues that language of written prose obviously differs from that of common conversation, in the same way
as reading differs from talking. Even though some words are common to prose and poetry, they are
differently arranged in the two compositions, making the language of the two essentially different. This
difference arises from the fact that the poetry use meter and meter requires a different arrangement of words.
Coleridge has already pointed out that metre is not a mere superficial decoration, but an essential organic
part of a poem. Therefore there must be an ‗essential‘ difference between the language of prose and that of
poetry. The use of meter creates a different atmosphere in poetry and the metaphors as well as similes used
by a poet are different in quality, but not art. There are passages which will out the one, but not the other.
Thus, Wordsworth theory of poetic Diction is critically examined by Coleridge in his Biographia
Literaria and while making an assessment of these views, Coleridge offers his own views on the language of
poetry in general.