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

 

Phantom

by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

(Poem, Summary, & Analysis) 

Phantom

All look and likeness caught from earth

All accident of kin and birth,

Had pass'd away. There was no trace

Of aught on that illumined face,

Uprais'd beneath the rifted stone

But of one spirit all her own;--

She, she herself, and only she,

Shone through her body visibly.

 

Summary of Phantom by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The poem Phantom by Samuel Taylor Coleridge presents a vision of a supernatural or ethereal being whose earthly connections have completely faded away. The opening lines describe how all physical traits, familial ties, and worldly attributes have vanished from the apparition’s face. It is illuminated, glowing with an unearthly light, as if freed from all earthly burdens.

As the poem progresses, the speaker observes this ghostly figure, realizing that it is no longer bound by the conditions of mortal life. There are no signs of past experiences or emotions left on its countenance—it is as if time and history have been erased from its being. The figure appears purified, existing in a state beyond human suffering or worldly attachments.

The vision is described as both beautiful and mysterious, possessing a serene yet otherworldly quality. The poem captures a moment of transcendence, where the spirit seems to belong to a realm beyond the comprehension of the living. The speaker may feel a mix of awe, reverence, and perhaps a touch of fear, as the encounter with this spectral presence challenges the boundaries between life and death.

Ultimately, Phantom conveys an image of a spirit that has moved beyond human identity and existence, embodying a state of purity and light that is both haunting and divine.

 

Analysis in Detail

Theme of the Poem

Coleridge’s Phantom explores themes of transcendence, mortality, and the transformation of the human soul after death. The poem presents the idea that once a person departs from the physical world, all earthly associations—such as family, identity, and personal history—fade away. What remains is a purified, luminous presence, detached from the burdens of mortal existence.

The poem also touches on the ethereal beauty of the afterlife, presenting the phantom not as something terrifying, but as something otherworldly and serene. This reflects Coleridge’s Romantic interest in the supernatural, where ghosts and spirits are often depicted as manifestations of deeper philosophical or emotional ideas rather than just horror elements.

 

Analysis of Key Lines

"All look and likeness caught from earth / All accident of kin and birth, / Had pass'd away."

In these opening lines, Coleridge immediately establishes the idea that the spirit or phantom has lost all earthly features. The words "look and likeness" suggest that physical appearance is irrelevant in the afterlife. "Accident of kin and birth" implies that family ties and social identity are merely coincidences of earthly existence and do not persist beyond death.

"There was no trace / Of aught on that illumined face,"

This line reinforces the idea that the phantom has been cleansed of all worldly influences. The word "illumined" suggests a spiritual glow, possibly indicating enlightenment or divine purity. The phrase "no trace of aught" suggests absolute erasure of past emotions, struggles, or human concerns, emphasizing the spirit’s transformation.

 

Symbolism and Imagery

Light and Illumination – The phantom is described as glowing, which could symbolize purity, divinity, or transcendence. This contrasts with typical ghostly depictions that focus on darkness and fear. The light suggests the spirit is not bound by earthly sorrow but has reached a state of peace.

Loss of Identity – The poem emphasizes how all human characteristics fade after death. This could be a reflection on the impermanence of life and the way death strips away individual distinctions, reducing everyone to the same spiritual essence.

The Supernatural – Coleridge, as a Romantic poet, often engaged with supernatural themes. The phantom in this poem is not a typical ghost seeking revenge or lingering due to unresolved issues. Instead, it is a being that has transcended earthly existence entirely, reflecting the Romantic fascination with the mystical and the unknown.

 

Tone and Mood

The poem carries a tone of reverence and awe rather than fear. The mood is ethereal, mysterious, and contemplative, inviting the reader to ponder the nature of life after death. There is no sense of dread—only a quiet, solemn admiration for the transformation of the soul.

 

Conclusion

In Phantom, Coleridge presents a deeply philosophical and almost spiritual view of death. Rather than depicting a ghost haunted by its past, he describes a being that has shed all earthly attributes and reached a state of purified existence. Through rich imagery, symbolic language, and a contemplative tone, Coleridge transforms the idea of a phantom from a mere specter into a profound representation of the soul’s journey beyond life.