‘Could a rule be given from without, poetry would cease to be poetry, and sink into a mechanical art. It would be μóρφωσις, not ποίησις. The rules of the IMAGINATION are themselves the very powers of growth and production. The words to which they are reducible, present only the outlines and external appearance of the fruit. A deceptive counterfeit of the superficial form and colours may be elaborated; but the marble peach feels cold and heavy, and children only put it to their mouths.’ [Coleridge, Biographia ch. 18]

‘ποίησις’ (poiēsis) means ‘a making, a creation, a production’ and is used of poetry in Aristotle and Plato. ‘μóρφωσις’ (morphōsis) in essence means the same thing: ‘a shaping, a bringing into shape.’ But Coleridge has in mind the New Testament use of the word as ‘semblance’ or ‘outward appearance’, which the KJV translates as ‘form’: ‘An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form [μóρφωσις] of knowledge and of the truth in the law’ [Romans 2:20]; ‘Having a form [μóρφωσις] of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away’ [2 Timothy 3:5]. I trust that's clear.

There is much more on Coleridge at my other, Coleridgean blog.

Friday 29 January 2021

"Mount"s In

 


Mounts up.

7 comments:

  1. My growing Anticipation for this book is now on its re-entry burn!!
    Great cover too.
    Somehow I've only recently blundered into your books, and hope to read at least a few of 'em this year!!

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    1. Thanks Ollie: I hope you enjoy what you do read.

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    2. Thank you sir. Getting all geared up to start the Purgatory Mount audioversion tonight!

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  2. Hello Adam,

    I am really looking forward to PURGATORY MOUNT and I was wondering, would you have any time to talk with me about the novel and about some of your other fiction, too? I make a podcast called INTERMULTIVERSAL SPACE and it would be awesome to have you on as a guest... If you're interested, let me know. Thanks.

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  3. I heard he went recently went undercover with *DELETED* and if so he might already be in a suspension pod. I bet he still considers your request as long as you don't discuss 3 things: The Lungfish, unsalted Saltine crackers, and absolutely no mention of Wolfman Jack......Oh Wait, now that I think about it, that was all hogwash and I'm just seeking attention and in a mood to entertain.

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  4. As usual, I am in American Reader Purgatory.

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  5. Congratulations, I'll look forward to reading it.

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