Causes Quote by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
“Poetry, even that of the loftiest, and seemingly, that of the wildest odes, [has] a logic of its own as severe as that of science; and more difficult, because more subtle, more complex, and dependent on more and more fugitive causes. In the truly great poets... there is a reason assignable, not only for every word, but for the position of every word.”
About This Quote
Source Poetry: Biographia Literaria, 1817
Poetry follows its own rigorous logic, often more subtle and complex than scientific reasoning, assigning purpose to each word and its placement.
In simple terms: Poetry has a hidden, precise structure.
Appreciate the craft behind poetic choices.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- writing poetry
- literary analysis
- teaching literature
- creative writing workshops
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden rules guide a poet’s word choice?
- How does structure affect emotional impact?
Poetic logic can be elusive, making interpretation subjective.