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

 

Genevieve

by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

(Poem, Summary, & Analysis) 

Genevieve

Maid of my love! sweet Genevieve!

In beauty's light you glide along;

Your eye is like the star of eve,

And sweet your voice, as seraph's song.

Yet not your heavenly beauty gives

This heart with passion soft to glow:

Within your soul a voice there lives!

It bids you hear the tale of woe.

When sinking low the suff'rer wan

Beholds no hand outstretched to save,

Fair, as the bosom of the swan

That rises graceful o'er the wave,

I've seen your breast with pity heave

And therefore love I you, sweet Genevieve!

 

This little poem was written when the author was a boy.

 

Summary

The poem Genevieve (also known as Love) is a lyrical ballad that expresses deep love and devotion. The speaker addresses Genevieve, praising her beauty and grace. He compares her eyes to the evening star and her voice to a heavenly melody. The speaker recalls how he won Genevieve’s love—not through wealth or power, but through sincere affection and the depth of his emotions.

In the poem, the speaker narrates how he was once deeply sorrowful, and Genevieve, moved by his pain, showed him kindness and compassion. She wept for him, demonstrating her sensitivity and deep emotional connection. This sympathy gradually turned into love. The speaker emphasizes that his love for Genevieve was not superficial but was filled with reverence and admiration.

As the poem progresses, he recounts how his passionate and sometimes melancholic nature affected their relationship. At times, he was overwhelmed by strong emotions, which made him act erratically. However, despite these intense feelings, Genevieve remained patient and loving. Her tenderness and understanding ultimately led to their union.

Towards the end, the speaker expresses gratitude for Genevieve’s love. He cherishes her deeply and celebrates their bond. The poem closes on a note of happiness, as the speaker reflects on how love, built on sincerity and deep emotions, triumphs in the end.

 

Analysis

 

1. Theme Analysis

 

a. The Power of Love and Devotion

The poem is a heartfelt expression of deep, passionate love. The speaker’s affection for Genevieve is portrayed as pure and unwavering. He does not win her love through material wealth or superficial charm but through sincerity and emotional depth. The poem suggests that true love is nurtured by understanding, compassion, and patience.

 

b. Suffering and Sympathy in Love

Coleridge explores the idea that suffering can evoke sympathy, which in turn can lead to love. The speaker’s sorrow and emotional struggles move Genevieve to tears, and her empathy gradually transforms into love. This reflects the Romantic belief that strong emotions and deep feeling are essential components of genuine human connections.

 

c. The Romantic Ideal of Love

Romanticism, the literary movement Coleridge was a part of, emphasized intense emotions, individual experience, and a deep appreciation for beauty. The speaker’s love for Genevieve aligns with these ideals—it is passionate, sometimes melancholic, but always sincere. The poem also reflects the Romantic fascination with idealized beauty, as Genevieve is depicted almost as an ethereal being.

 

d. The Role of Patience and Constancy

The poem highlights Genevieve’s patience and steadfastness in love. Despite the speaker’s emotional turmoil and intense feelings, Genevieve remains devoted. This suggests that true love requires not just passion but also endurance and understanding.

 

2. Structural and Stylistic Analysis

 

a. Lyrical Ballad Form

The poem follows the tradition of lyrical ballads, combining musicality with storytelling. Coleridge’s use of rhythm and rhyme enhances the emotional appeal, making the poem flow like a song of devotion.

 

b. Imagery and Symbolism

Light Imagery:

Genevieve is compared to “beauty’s light” and her eyes to “the star of eve.” This suggests purity, guidance, and inspiration, reinforcing the idea that she is a beacon of love and hope for the speaker.

Religious and Heavenly Imagery:

Her voice is described as “seraph’s song,” likening it to the music of angels. This elevates Genevieve to an almost divine status, showing how much the speaker idolizes her.

Contrast Between Joy and Sorrow:

The poem shifts between moments of joy and suffering, reflecting the complex nature of love. The speaker’s initial sorrow gives way to happiness when Genevieve reciprocates his love, reinforcing the idea that love often grows through trials.

 

3. Tone and Mood

The tone of the poem is deeply emotional, starting with admiration, moving through melancholy and suffering, and ending in joy. The mood varies from wistful longing to intense passion, and finally, to contentment and gratitude.

 

4. Biographical Context

Coleridge’s poetry often reflects his personal experiences and emotions. His own struggles with love, self-doubt, and melancholy might have influenced this poem. The theme of suffering leading to love could be a reflection of his belief in the transformative power of deep emotional experiences.

 

Conclusion

Genevieve (or Love) is a quintessential Romantic poem that explores the themes of love, devotion, suffering, and emotional depth. Through vivid imagery, lyrical beauty, and a deeply personal tone, Coleridge crafts a touching narrative about how true love is nurtured not by external charms but by sincerity, patience, and shared emotional experiences.

 

Critical Evaluation

Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Genevieve is a lyrical ballad that embodies the Romantic ideals of love, emotion, and beauty. The poem is both a celebration of love and an exploration of its complexities, portraying love as a force that grows through suffering, patience, and deep emotional connection.

 

1. Strengths of the Poem

a. Mastery of Romantic Aesthetics

Coleridge, as one of the pioneers of the Romantic movement, demonstrates his mastery of Romantic themes in Genevieve. The poem is filled with rich imagery, deep emotions, and an idealized portrayal of love, which align perfectly with Romantic ideals. Love, in this poem, is not merely an emotion but an experience that shapes the soul.

 

b. Emotional Depth and Psychological Insight

One of the poem’s greatest strengths is its psychological depth. Coleridge explores the interplay between sorrow and love, suggesting that suffering can deepen affection. The speaker’s emotional turmoil and Genevieve’s sympathetic response reflect a nuanced understanding of human relationships. This resonates with the Romantic belief that intense emotions—both joy and sorrow—are essential to personal growth and love.

 

c. Effective Use of Imagery and Symbolism

Coleridge employs vivid imagery to enhance the emotional impact of the poem:

Genevieve’s eyes as the evening star symbolize guidance, purity, and unattainable beauty.

Her voice as a seraph’s song elevates her to an almost divine status, reinforcing the idea of idealized love.

The contrast between light and darkness throughout the poem mirrors the shifts between joy and sorrow in the speaker’s experience of love.

 

d. Musicality and Structure

The poem follows a lyrical and melodic structure, which makes it appealing both as a narrative and as a song-like composition. The rhyme scheme and rhythm contribute to its flow, reinforcing its ballad-like quality. The musicality enhances the poem’s emotional intensity, making it feel more personal and heartfelt.

 

2. Weaknesses and Criticism

a. Over-Idealization of Love

One of the key criticisms of Genevieve is its idealized portrayal of love. The speaker places Genevieve on a pedestal, likening her to an angelic figure. While this fits within the Romantic tradition, it also makes the poem somewhat unrealistic. The idealization of women in Romantic poetry has often been criticized for reducing female figures to objects of adoration rather than portraying them as complex individuals with their own desires and struggles.

b. Lack of Concrete Narrative or Conflict

Unlike other great ballads, Genevieve lacks a strong narrative arc. While the speaker describes his emotions and Genevieve’s reaction, there is no significant external conflict or dramatic tension. This makes the poem more of a reflective monologue than a dynamic story, which some readers might find less engaging.

c. Sentimentalism and Melancholic Excess

The intense sentimentality of the poem, while characteristic of Romantic literature, might feel excessive to some readers. The speaker’s suffering and deep sorrow, though beautifully expressed, can seem exaggerated or self-indulgent. This is a common critique of Romantic poetry—that it sometimes prioritizes emotion over realism.

 

3. Influence and Legacy

Despite these criticisms, Genevieve remains an excellent example of Romantic poetry. Coleridge’s exploration of love as a deeply emotional and transformative experience influenced later poets, particularly those in the Victorian era who continued to idealize love and beauty. The poem reflects many of the themes found in the works of fellow Romantic poets like Wordsworth and Keats, particularly the fascination with beauty, emotion, and the supernatural.

Additionally, the poem’s emphasis on suffering leading to love can be seen in later literary movements, including Victorian and Modernist explorations of love as both a joy and a burden.

 

Conclusion

Coleridge’s Genevieve is a beautifully written poem that captures the essence of Romanticism through its rich imagery, deep emotions, and melodic structure. While it has certain weaknesses—such as its idealization of love and lack of a strong narrative—it remains a touching exploration of the complexities of love and devotion. The poem’s greatest strength lies in its ability to evoke genuine emotion and its portrayal of love as an experience shaped by both joy and sorrow.

 

Line-by-Line Interpretation

Opening Lines

 

1. Maid of my love! sweet Genevieve!

The speaker directly addresses Genevieve, calling her his beloved. The phrase “Maid of my love” suggests innocence, purity, and devotion.

 

2. In beauty's light you glide along;

Genevieve is described as gracefully moving in an almost divine radiance, reinforcing her angelic and idealized image.

 

3. Your eye is like the star of eve,

Her eyes are compared to the evening star (likely Venus), which symbolizes brightness, beauty, and guidance. This suggests her presence is both enchanting and comforting.

 

4. And sweet your voice, as seraph's song.

Her voice is compared to that of a seraph (a high-ranking angel in Christian theology), emphasizing its heavenly, melodious quality.

 

Expression of the Speaker’s Love

5. Yet not your heavenly beauty gives

The speaker clarifies that Genevieve’s physical beauty alone is not what makes him love her.

 

6. This heart with passion soft to glow:

Instead, his heart is moved by a deeper, more profound emotional connection rather than mere outward beauty.

 

7. Within your soul a voice there lives,

This suggests that Genevieve possesses an inner beauty, a soul that speaks to the speaker’s heart.

 

8. It bids you hear the tale of woe.

Her soul has a compassionate quality—it urges her to listen to sorrowful stories, indicating her kindness and empathy.

 

The Power of Suffering and Compassion

9. When sinking low the sufferer wan

The speaker describes someone suffering and weak, perhaps himself in a state of deep emotional distress.

 

10. Beholds no hand outstretched to save,

The sufferer feels abandoned, with no one offering help or comfort.

 

11. Fair as the bosom of the swan

Genevieve’s compassion is compared to the purity of a swan, a symbol of grace and beauty.

 

12. That rises graceful o'er the wave.

Like a swan that rises above water, Genevieve’s kindness lifts the speaker out of despair.

 

Genevieve’s Sympathy and Growing Love

13. I've seen your breast with pity heave,

The speaker has witnessed Genevieve feeling pity and empathy, showing her deep emotional nature.

 

14. And therefore love I you, sweet Genevieve!

It is her compassion, not just her physical beauty, that makes the speaker love her.

 

15. She wept with pity and delight,

Genevieve’s emotions are a mix of pity for the speaker’s suffering and joy at being able to comfort him.

 

16. She blushed with love, and virgin-shame;

Her feelings of love are accompanied by shyness and modesty, as she gradually realizes her own affection for the speaker.

 

17. And like the murmur of a dream,

Her presence and emotions are delicate, like a soft, dreamlike sound.

 

18. I heard her breathe my name.

The speaker cherishes the moment when Genevieve, in her emotional state, softly speaks his name, signaling her love for him.

 

The Role of Sorrow in Love

19. Her bosom heaved—she stepped aside,

Genevieve is deeply moved and slightly overwhelmed by her emotions, causing her to step away momentarily.

 

20. As conscious of my look she stept—

She becomes aware of the speaker’s intense gaze and perhaps feels a mix of shyness and realization of her own growing feelings.

 

21. Then suddenly, with timorous eye

She looks at him with a timid, yet affectionate gaze, showing a delicate blend of emotions—love, modesty, and perhaps uncertainty.

 

22. She fled to me and wept.

Overcome with emotion, she runs to the speaker and cries, signaling that her compassion has fully blossomed into love.

 

Conclusion: The Triumph of Love

23. She half enclosed me with her arms,

Genevieve embraces the speaker, a physical manifestation of her love and acceptance of his emotions.

 

24. She pressed me with a meek embrace;

Her embrace is tender and humble, suggesting purity and sincerity in her love.

 

25. And bending back her head, looked up,

She leans back slightly to look at the speaker, an intimate and affectionate gesture.

 

26. And gazed upon my face.

Her gaze is filled with love, admiration, and emotional connection.

 

27. 'Twas partly love, and partly fear,

Her emotions are complex—she feels love but also the nervous excitement of realizing her deep affection for the speaker.

 

28. And partly 'twas a bashful art,

Her shyness is natural, yet there is an unconscious charm in the way she expresses her love.

 

29. That I might rather feel than see

The emotions she expresses are not just visible; they are something the speaker can deeply sense.

 

30. The swelling of her heart.

The final line emphasizes the deep emotional intensity within Genevieve—her love for the speaker has fully blossomed.

 

Final Thoughts

The poem narrates a heartfelt love story where deep emotion, suffering, and compassion lead to a genuine connection. The speaker’s love is not just based on beauty but on Genevieve’s kindness and emotional depth. The progression of her feelings—from sympathy to love—is depicted with delicate imagery, making the poem a classic example of Romantic poetry.

 

Line-by-Line Analysis

 

Lines 1–4: Praise of Genevieve’s Beauty

1. Maid of my love! sweet Genevieve!

The speaker begins with an affectionate address to Genevieve, calling her “Maid of my love.”

“Maid” suggests youth, innocence, and purity, reinforcing her idealized image.

 

2. In beauty’s light you glide along;

Genevieve is described as moving gracefully, as if surrounded by an aura of beauty.

The phrase “beauty’s light” suggests that her presence radiates a divine or celestial glow.

 

3. Your eye is like the star of eve,

Her eyes are compared to the evening star (likely Venus), symbolizing brightness, guidance, and beauty.

This celestial imagery emphasizes her purity and the speaker’s admiration.

 

4. And sweet your voice, as seraph’s song.

Her voice is likened to a seraph’s song—a heavenly, angelic melody.

The comparison elevates her to a divine status, suggesting she is almost otherworldly.

 

Lines 5–8: Love Beyond Physical Beauty

5. Yet not your heavenly beauty gives

The speaker clarifies that his love for Genevieve is not solely based on her physical beauty.

 

6. This heart with passion soft to glow:

His heart is moved not by her appearance but by something deeper.

“Passion soft” suggests a love that is tender and gentle rather than purely passionate.

 

7. Within your soul a voice there lives,

The speaker believes that Genevieve possesses an inner voice—a soulful presence—that makes her truly special.

 

8. It bids you hear the tale of woe.

Her soul is sensitive to sorrow, making her compassionate and empathetic.

This foreshadows the central theme of love growing through sympathy.

 

Lines 9–12: Suffering and Compassion

9. When sinking low the sufferer wan

The “sufferer” (possibly the speaker) is in deep emotional distress, feeling weak and hopeless.

 

10. Beholds no hand outstretched to save,

The sufferer feels abandoned, with no one offering comfort or support.

 

11. Fair as the bosom of the swan

Genevieve’s heart is compared to a swan’s bosom, symbolizing purity, grace, and beauty.

 

12. That rises graceful o’er the wave.

Just as a swan glides above water, Genevieve’s kindness lifts the sufferer from despair.

This metaphor presents her as a savior figure.

 

Lines 13–14: Love Born from Compassion

13. I've seen your breast with pity heave,

The speaker has witnessed Genevieve’s compassion firsthand, as she feels pity for his suffering.

 

14. And therefore love I you, sweet Genevieve!

This is a pivotal moment: the speaker loves Genevieve not just for her beauty but for her kindness.

 

Lines 15–18: Genevieve’s Emotional Awakening

 

15. She wept with pity and delight,

Genevieve cries, experiencing a mix of emotions—both sadness (pity) and happiness (delight).

This suggests that compassion and love are intertwined.

 

16. She blushed with love, and virgin-shame;

She blushes, indicating that she has started to fall in love.

“Virgin-shame” implies modesty and innocence, reinforcing Romantic ideals of pure love.

 

17. And like the murmur of a dream,

Her reaction is delicate and dreamlike, almost unreal in its tenderness.

 

18. I heard her breathe my name.

The moment she speaks his name is profound, signifying her acceptance of her love for him.

 

Lines 19–22: Her Inner Struggle

19. Her bosom heaved—she stepped aside,

She is emotionally overwhelmed and momentarily withdraws to compose herself.

 

20. As conscious of my look she stept—

She becomes aware of the speaker’s gaze and its intensity.

 

21. Then suddenly, with timorous eye

“Timorous” means shy or hesitant—her love is new, and she is unsure how to express it.

 

22. She fled to me and wept.

Overcome with emotions, she rushes into the speaker’s arms, embracing her love openly.

 

Lines 23–26: The Embrace

23. She half enclosed me with her arms,

Genevieve embraces him, signifying her full acceptance of love.

 

24. She pressed me with a meek embrace;

Her embrace is gentle and humble, showing her sincerity.

 

25. And bending back her head, looked up,

She leans back slightly to gaze at the speaker’s face—a tender, intimate moment.

 

26. And gazed upon my face.

This silent exchange conveys deep love, understanding, and emotional connection.

 

Lines 27–30: Mixed Emotions of Love

27. 'Twas partly love, and partly fear,

Her emotions are complex—she feels love but also nervousness about its intensity.

 

28. And partly 'twas a bashful art,

Some of her reactions might be instinctive shyness, making her love even more delicate and endearing.

 

29. That I might rather feel than see

Her emotions are not just visible but deeply felt, making them more powerful.

 

30. The swelling of her heart.

Her heart is overflowing with love, marking the climax of their emotional journey.

 

Overall Interpretation

Coleridge’s Genevieve (or Love) is a touching exploration of love that grows through suffering, compassion, and emotional depth. The speaker admires Genevieve not just for her beauty but for her inner kindness. The poem highlights Romantic themes—idealized love, intense emotion, and the idea that true love is nurtured by understanding and patience. The final lines confirm that their love has fully blossomed, as Genevieve, though initially shy and hesitant, fully embraces her affection for the speaker.

 

Poetic Devices Used

Coleridge employs a variety of poetic devices to enhance the emotional depth, imagery, and musicality of the poem. Below are the key poetic devices used:

 

1. Imagery

The poem is rich in visual, auditory, and emotional imagery to evoke beauty, sorrow, and love.

Example:

"Your eye is like the star of eve," (Visual imagery – conveys brightness and guidance)

"And sweet your voice, as seraph’s song." (Auditory imagery – suggests a heavenly, melodious tone)

 

2. Simile (Comparison using "like" or "as")

Coleridge uses similes to compare Genevieve’s beauty and emotions to celestial and natural elements.

Examples:

"Your eye is like the star of eve," (Compares her eyes to the evening star, suggesting brightness and purity)

"And sweet your voice, as seraph’s song." (Compares her voice to that of an angel, emphasizing its heavenly quality)

"Fair as the bosom of the swan / That rises graceful o'er the wave." (Compares her compassion to a swan’s grace, symbolizing purity and nobility)

 

3. Metaphor (Indirect comparison without using "like" or "as")

Examples:

"Within your soul a voice there lives," (Personifies her soul as having a voice, emphasizing its depth and kindness)

"Her bosom heaved," (Suggests intense emotion rather than literal movement)

"The swelling of her heart." (Represents growing love and emotion)

 

4. Personification (Giving human qualities to non-human things)

Examples:

"Within your soul a voice there lives," (Gives her soul a living voice, implying deep emotion and wisdom)

"It bids you hear the tale of woe." (The soul is described as instructing Genevieve to listen to sorrow, emphasizing her empathy)

 

5. Symbolism

Evening Star: Represents beauty, guidance, and purity.

Swan: Symbolizes grace, purity, and compassion.

Tears and Blushing: Represent emotional awakening and deepening love.

 

6. Enjambment (Continuation of a sentence beyond a line break)

Creates a natural flow, making the poem more expressive and fluid.

Example:

"She half enclosed me with her arms, / She pressed me with a meek embrace;"

The sentence continues across the line, maintaining rhythm and emotional intensity.

 

7. Alliteration (Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words)

Enhances musicality and rhythm.

Examples:

"Fair as the bosom of the swan" (Repetition of ‘s’ sound)

"Sweet your voice, as seraph’s song." (Repetition of ‘s’ sound)

 

8. Assonance (Repetition of vowel sounds)

Creates a lyrical quality and enhances the poem’s musical effect.

Examples:

"She pressed me with a meek embrace." (Long ‘e’ sound softens the tone)

"Her bosom heaved—she stepped aside." (Repetition of the ‘e’ sound adds to the emotional weight)

 

9. Repetition

Used to emphasize love and devotion.

Example:

"She wept with pity and delight, / She blushed with love, and virgin-shame;" (Repetition of “she” highlights her emotional journey)

 

10. Contrast (Antithesis)

Juxtaposition of opposite emotions adds depth to the poem.

Examples:

"She wept with pity and delight," (Contrasts sadness and happiness, showing complex emotions)

"'Twas partly love, and partly fear," (Highlights the tension between love and hesitation)

 

11. Romanticism (Poetic Style)

The poem embodies Romantic ideals:

Emotion over reason: The speaker’s love is driven by feelings rather than logic.

Nature and celestial imagery: Comparisons to stars, swans, and waves evoke beauty and serenity.

Idealization of love and womanhood: Genevieve is portrayed as pure, compassionate, and deeply emotional.

 

Conclusion

Coleridge masterfully employs poetic devices to create a lyrical, emotionally rich poem that captures the depth of love, sorrow, and compassion. The use of imagery, metaphor, and sound devices enhances the poem’s beauty, making it a quintessential Romantic work.

 

Comparison of Genevieve (or Love) with Other Works

Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Genevieve shares thematic and stylistic similarities with other Romantic and pre-Romantic works that explore love, beauty, and emotional intensity. Below are some key comparisons with notable poems by Coleridge’s contemporaries and predecessors.

 

1. She Walks in Beauty by Lord Byron

Byron’s She Walks in Beauty and Coleridge’s Genevieve both celebrate the beauty and grace of a woman. However, they differ in how love is portrayed:

Byron focuses on external beauty and inner goodness, describing a woman as a perfect balance of light and dark. The poem remains detached and observational, never suggesting romantic involvement.

Coleridge, on the other hand, emphasizes love that grows through suffering and compassion. The speaker’s admiration for Genevieve is not only for her beauty but also for her emotional depth and kindness.

While She Walks in Beauty is more about admiration, Genevieve explores the evolution of love through shared emotions and vulnerability.

 

2. The Eve of St. Agnes by John Keats

Keats’ The Eve of St. Agnes shares many Romantic qualities with Genevieve, including vivid imagery, idealized love, and deep emotions. However, their approaches to love are different:

Keats presents love as passionate and dreamlike, set within a mystical, almost fairytale-like atmosphere. Porphyro, the lover, takes risks to be with Madeline, making their love feel dramatic and adventurous.

Coleridge’s love story is gentler and more sentimental, developing through pity and shared sorrow rather than passion or fate. Genevieve’s love is awakened by compassion, rather than by an intense, almost surreal experience like Madeline’s.

Both poems idealize the beloved woman, but Keats' poem leans into sensual imagery, while Coleridge’s is more spiritual and emotional.

 

3. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Coleridge

Though The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is a very different kind of poem—focused on supernatural elements and moral redemption—there are some shared themes with Genevieve:

Both explore the theme of suffering leading to transformation. In Genevieve, the speaker wins his beloved’s love through sorrow and compassion. In The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, the Mariner undergoes suffering to achieve spiritual enlightenment.

Both poems emphasize human emotion and empathy. Genevieve’s compassion leads to love, just as the Mariner’s recognition of nature’s beauty leads to his redemption.

However, while The Rime of the Ancient Mariner deals with cosmic consequences and guilt, Genevieve remains a personal, intimate exploration of love.

 

4. To a Skylark by Percy Bysshe Shelley

Shelley’s To a Skylark is an ode to a bird’s song, praising its joy and purity. Though it is not directly about love, it shares some connections with Genevieve:

Both poems idealize beauty and purity, with the skylark representing divine happiness and Genevieve embodying ideal love.

Shelley, however, presents an unattainable, almost supernatural joy, while Coleridge’s love is deeply human and grounded in emotion.

Where To a Skylark expresses a longing for the unattainable, Genevieve reaches a fulfilled conclusion, as the lovers come together in the end.

 

5. The Good-Morrow by John Donne

Donne’s The Good-Morrow belongs to the Metaphysical tradition but shares a few similarities with Genevieve, particularly in its portrayal of love:

Both poems depict love as deep and transformative.

Donne’s poem is more intellectual, using philosophical imagery to describe love’s completeness, while Coleridge’s poem is emotional and sentimental, focusing on love growing through shared experiences.

Donne emphasizes mutual discovery and spiritual unity, whereas Coleridge highlights one-sided suffering leading to love’s realization.

 

Conclusion

Coleridge’s Genevieve stands out among Romantic love poems for its emphasis on compassion as the foundation of love. While other poets like Byron and Keats explore beauty, passion, or fate in love, Coleridge presents love as something that develops through emotional connection, sympathy, and tenderness. Compared to more intense or mystical depictions of love in Romantic poetry, Genevieve remains a gentle, heartfelt reflection on how love grows through understanding and shared sorrow.