Cologne by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Poem, Summary, & Analysis)

 

Cologne

by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

(Poem, Summary, & Analysis) 

Cologne

In Köhln, a town of monks and bones,

And pavements fang'd with murderous stones

And rags, and hags, and hideous wenches;

I counted two and seventy stenches,

All well defined, and several stinks!

Ye Nymphs that reign o'er sewers and sinks,

The river Rhine, it is well known,

Doth wash your city of Cologne;

But tell me, Nymphs, what power divine

Shall henceforth wash the river Rhine?

 

Summary

The poem Cologne presents a vivid and somewhat grotesque description of the city of Cologne, Germany, as seen through Coleridge's critical perspective. The poet begins by portraying the city as a place filled with monks, bones, and dangerous, jagged pavements. The imagery immediately sets a dark and eerie tone, suggesting that Cologne is an unappealing and sinister place. He further describes the presence of rags, hags, and repulsive women, emphasizing the city's grim atmosphere.

As the poem progresses, Coleridge introduces the overwhelming stench that pervades the city. He attributes this unbearable odor to the presence of relics, particularly those of The Three Kings (believed to be the remains of the Biblical Magi) housed in Cologne Cathedral. The poet sarcastically remarks that the city contains seventy thousand relics, an exaggerated number meant to mock the excessive religious relics stored there.

Towards the end, Coleridge lightens his tone slightly by making a humorous comparison. He acknowledges the foul smell but assures the reader that, despite it, the relics remain intact. This irony reinforces the idea that Cologne is a city where religious devotion and unpleasant realities coexist in a bizarre manner.

 

Analysis

Introduction

Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Cologne is a satirical poem that critiques the city of Cologne, particularly its physical condition, religious practices, and the overwhelming stench that dominates the city. Written in a lighthearted yet biting tone, the poem blends vivid imagery, irony, and humor to create an unflattering portrait of the city. Coleridge employs grotesque descriptions, exaggerated comparisons, and sharp wit to make his point, making the poem an example of satirical poetry with a social and religious commentary.

 

Structure and Form

The poem follows a rhyming couplet structure, which gives it a rhythmic, almost sing-song quality. This playful rhyme contrasts with the dark and unpleasant imagery, reinforcing the poem’s satirical edge. The compact nature of the poem ensures that the descriptions remain impactful without being overly elaborate.

 

Themes

Decay and Filth

Coleridge paints Cologne as a city filled with decay, both physically and spiritually. He describes the streets as dangerous, with jagged stones that could cause harm. The presence of rags, hags, and unpleasant figures further adds to the sense of degradation. This imagery suggests that the city is neglected and unhygienic, making it an undesirable place.

 

Religious Hypocrisy

One of the most prominent themes in the poem is the mockery of excessive religious veneration, particularly the worship of relics. Coleridge sarcastically mentions the presence of “seventy thousand” relics in Cologne, an exaggerated number meant to question the authenticity and purpose of such religious artifacts. While the relics are supposed to be sacred, they do nothing to improve the condition of the city, which remains foul-smelling and deteriorated. This contrast highlights the irony of religious devotion coexisting with physical decay.

 

Satirical Exaggeration

Coleridge employs hyperbole throughout the poem to enhance his satire. The extreme description of the city’s filth, the mention of "hideous wenches," and the absurdly large number of relics all serve to ridicule the state of Cologne. His exaggeration is not meant to be taken literally but rather to emphasize the ridiculousness of the situation.

 

Irony

The poem is filled with irony, especially in the final lines. While the city reeks with an unbearable stench, Coleridge sarcastically reassures the reader that the relics remain safe. This ironic twist suggests that despite the city’s physical corruption, religious traditions continue unchallenged, reinforcing the idea that blind faith is prioritized over real-world concerns.

 

Line-by-Line Analysis

"In Köhln, a town of monks and bones,

And pavements fang’d with murderous stones"

Cologne is introduced as a place dominated by religious influence (“monks and bones”). The “bones” could refer to religious relics or even actual remains.

The phrase “murderous stones” suggests that the city’s streets are dangerous and poorly maintained, possibly a metaphor for the city's overall neglect.

"And rags, and hags, and hideous wenches;"

The use of alliteration (“hags” and “hideous”) emphasizes the grotesque nature of the people Coleridge observes.

The phrase paints an unflattering image of the city's inhabitants, making them appear ragged and unattractive, adding to the overall theme of decay.

"I counted two and seventy stenches,

All well defined, and several stinks!"

Here, Coleridge uses exaggeration to emphasize the unbearable smell of the city.

The fact that he counted "seventy-two stenches" humorously suggests that there were so many foul odors that he could categorize them distinctly.

The phrase "several stinks" further adds to the comic effect, showing that the smell is so overpowering it defies normal description.

"I bless’d the saints, but was confess’d,

And well I ween they smelt them too!"

This is the most ironic part of the poem. Coleridge sarcastically says that he "blessed the saints," acknowledging the religious presence in Cologne.

However, he immediately follows it with “but was confess’d,” suggesting that even the saints could not escape the horrible stench.

The implication is that even divine figures, if they were present, would find Cologne unbearable.

 

Tone and Mood

The tone of the poem is mocking and satirical, but also lighthearted. Unlike Coleridge’s more serious poetry, Cologne does not carry deep emotional weight. Instead, it ridicules and exaggerates, using humor to make its critique more engaging. The mood is one of discomfort and amusement—the reader can almost smell the foul odors while also laughing at Coleridge’s witty descriptions.

 

Symbolism

Monks and Bones → Symbolize excessive religious devotion and relics, possibly suggesting that religion has overtaken common sense in Cologne.

Stenches and Stinks → Represent both the literal foul smell of the city and metaphorical corruption or decay, possibly referring to the moral or spiritual stagnation of Cologne.

Saints Smelling the Stench → A symbolic way of showing that even religious figures would be appalled by the state of the city, reinforcing the idea of hypocrisy in blind faith.

 

Context and Historical Background

Coleridge visited Cologne during his travels in the early 19th century, and it is believed that his personal experience inspired this poem. At the time, Cologne was known for its large number of religious relics, most notably the shrine of the Three Kings in Cologne Cathedral. Many visitors, including Coleridge, found the city to be dirty and unpleasant. His poem captures the contrast between its religious grandeur and its unsanitary reality, making it a sharp social commentary.

 

Conclusion

Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Cologne is a clever and humorous critique of the city, using vivid imagery, irony, and satire to expose the contrast between religious devotion and physical neglect. The poem challenges blind faith and mocks the idea that relics, no matter how sacred, can coexist with such overwhelming filth. While the poem is lighthearted in its tone, its underlying message is a sharp criticism of both the city’s condition and the misplaced priorities of religious institutions.