What is the message of Christabel?
“Christabel” juxtaposes the theme of sin versus religiosity, evil versus devoutness, and sexuality versus purity. In this poem, the central character Christabel represents purity, religiosity and devoutness whereas Geraldine symbolizes evil, sin and sexuality.
What are the examples of symbolism in Christabel by Samuel Taylor Coleridge?
Light symbolizes good and dark evil. The lamp helps the reader see this. Christabel lights the lamp, and Geraldine cowers from it. Another symbol in the poem is the snake.
Why does Christabel go out into the woods at midnight?
The poem begins with Christabel going into the woods at night alone. She has left the house of her father, Sir Leoline, who is a baron. It is a full moon in April and a chilly night. She has had dreams of the knight she is betrothèd to marry and is out in the woods to pray for her fiancé’s well-being as he is far away.
Who is Christabel and what happened to her?
Christabel is a lovely, innocent young woman who goes out into the woods one spooky night at midnight to pray. While she’s praying, she is startled by another young woman named Geraldine. Poor Geraldine claims to have been kidnapped and left beneath the tree for some unknown reason by her assailants.
What are the Gothic elements in Christabel?
His poem “Christabel” is a prime example of his supernatural work. It contains quintessential gothic characteristics, such as dark scenery, damsels in distress, and a hint of the supernatural. These Gothic elements make “Christabel” a Gothic poem hidden beneath a Romantic mask.
Is Geraldine evil in Christabel?
Geraldine is not actually evil at all. She is simply possessed by an evil spirit that is directing her to commit these sins against poor Christabel and her father.
When the lady passed there came a tongue of light a fit of flame?
2. When the lady passed, there came / A tongue of light, a fit of flame. This image is one of several clues that Geraldine is not what she claims. The torches flare at her presence, the dog barks in its sleep, and Geraldine needs assistance to cross the iron threshold into the castle.
Why is Geraldine in the woods Christabel?
As midnight comes, another young woman, Geraldine, appears. Geraldine appeals to Christabel’s virtuous sensibilities, alleging that she was kidnapped by men on horses and then, inexplicably, abandoned beneath the tree. Not questioning Geraldine’s story, Christabel readily takes her in for the night.
What kind of poem is Christabel?
long narrative ballad
Christabel is a long narrative ballad by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, in two parts. The first part was reputedly written in 1797, and the second in 1800. Coleridge planned three additional parts, but these were never completed.
What are the supernatural elements in Christabel?
“Christabel” is chock-full of spooky stuff, from witches to ghosts to prophetic dreams. The bulk of the supernatural elements are recognizable bits of folklore and superstition, which the Romantic poets like Coleridge loved to use as a parts of their stories.
Why is Christabel considered gothic?
Though Samuel Taylor Coleridge was a Romantic writer, he participated in the gothic genre. His poem “Christabel” is a prime example of his supernatural work. It contains quintessential gothic characteristics, such as dark scenery, damsels in distress, and a hint of the supernatural.
Is Geraldine a vampire?
While the character of Geraldine is not explicitly a vampire, she possesses several vampiric qualities.
What is the summary of Christabel by Coleridge?
Coleridge’s Poems Summary and Analysis of “Christabel” (Part I, 1797; Part II, 1800; “The Conclusion to Part II,” 1801) Christabel realizes that the noise comes from a strange woman who is on the other side of the oak tree. The beautiful woman is a “damsel bright” and is dressed in a white robe.
How many words are in the poem Christabel by Coleridge?
Word Count: 848 Setting is important to Coleridge’s poem Christabel , as it takes place in a dark forest and a dark castle. When Christabel (innocence) first meets Geraldine (evil), it is at night and under the cover of the trees in the forest. An old belief is that the dark forest is… (The entire section contains 2935 words.)
What are the images in the poem Christabel?
The images in Christabel are those conventionally associated with mystery and the supernatural; for example, the sounds mentioned in the first lines: the chiming of the midnight hour, the hoots of owls, and the howling of the mastiff.
What happens at the end of Christabel’s dream?
Christabel’s father, Sir Leoline, becomes infatuated with Geraldine while Bracy, Leoline’s bard, has an ominous dream that casts doubt on Geraldine’s identity. Unfortunately, before any conformation on Geraldine’ identity can be confirmed or denied, the poem abruptly ends.
