Question: What is Coleridges objection to Wordsworth’s selection of characters in his poems?

Introduction

In chapter seventeenth of the essay “Biographia Literaria”, Coleridge gives a detailed analysis of the defects and excellences of the poetry of Wordsworth but the defects are thicker.

Clash between characters and language

According to Coleridge, all the characters of Wordsworth’s poems are chosen from the rustic life but many characters are low and rustic in the usual acceptance of these words. Their emotions and language do not necessarily originate from their place of residence or occupation. We notice that language and sensibilities of the characters of Woodsworth are not the result of their meditative conception of rural life and their nature.

More Notes of Criticism

Gigantic image to represent minor characters

Coleridge points a defect which he describes as thoughts and images too great for the subject. Coleridge illustrates the characters by mentioning three or four poems such as “Brothers”, “Michael”, “Ruth”, and Mad Mothers”.

Conclusion

In termination, it is needed to be commented that Coleridge’s analysis of the defects of Wordsworth’s poetry is unexceptional or common since others have pointed out similar faults in Wordsworth’s poetry too.