What Is An Epigram? by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Poem, Summary, & Analysis)

 

What Is An Epigram?

by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

(Poem, Summary, & Analysis) 

What Is An Epigram?

 

What is an Epigram? A dwarfish whole,

Its body brevity, and wit its soul.

 

Summary:

The poem "What Is An Epigram?" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge offers a concise definition and description of what an epigram is. The poem presents the epigram as a small, compact literary form. It refers to the epigram metaphorically as a "dwarfish whole," emphasizing its short length but complete nature. The poem highlights two essential features of an epigram: its brevity and its wit. The phrase "Its body brevity" suggests that the epigram is physically short or concise in form. Meanwhile, "wit its soul" means that the essence or spirit of the epigram lies in its cleverness, sharpness, or intellectual playfulness. Together, these lines communicate that an epigram is a brief yet intellectually spirited piece, whose strength and charm come from its concise, witty expression.

 

Analysis in Detail

1. Definition and Metaphor:

Coleridge begins by directly posing the question, “What is an Epigram?” He then answers it succinctly, characterizing an epigram as a “dwarfish whole.” This metaphor is powerful because it immediately conveys the compactness of the epigram. The word “dwarfish” emphasizes that it is small in size, much shorter than other poetic or literary forms. The term “whole” is important because, despite its small size, an epigram is complete in itself—it conveys a full idea or thought within its brief length. This highlights the epigram’s uniqueness as a literary form: it is brief but self-contained.

 

2. Body as Brevity:

The phrase “Its body brevity” personifies the epigram by giving it a “body,” which is described as “brevity.” This means the form’s physical length is characterized by shortness. The word “body” suggests that brevity is not just a feature but the very structure or form of the epigram. In other words, what physically defines an epigram is its concise and condensed nature. This reflects the essential characteristic of epigrams in literature and poetry—they are typically very short, sometimes only one or two lines, and yet impactful.

 

3. Wit as Soul:

Coleridge contrasts the “body” with the “soul,” saying “wit its soul.” Here, wit is not just a superficial embellishment but the very essence, the spirit, and life-force of the epigram. Wit refers to sharpness, cleverness, intellectual playfulness, and often a surprising or ironic twist. This line implies that without wit, the epigram would be an empty shell—a brief statement lacking depth or meaning. Wit breathes life and energy into the epigram, making it memorable, insightful, or humorous despite its brevity.

 

4. The Unity of Form and Content:

Together, these lines express the unity of form and content in an epigram. The form (brevity) and the content (wit) are inseparable and equally essential. The poem itself, being only two lines, mimics the very nature of an epigram—it is brief, sharp, and self-contained, thus serving as a meta-example of its own definition.

 

5. Conciseness as a Virtue:

Coleridge’s description elevates brevity and wit as virtues in poetry. In a broader literary context, epigrams are valued for packing a significant amount of meaning, humor, or insight into a very small space. This is a celebration of economy in language—how much can be said in very few words without losing impact or depth.

 

6. Stylistic Devices:

Metaphor: “dwarfish whole” compares the epigram to a small, complete entity.

Personification: The epigram is given a body and soul, imbuing it with human qualities.

Alliteration: The repetition of the “b” sound in “body brevity” adds to the poetic rhythm and emphasizes the key concept of brevity.

Antithesis: The physical body (brevity) vs. the intangible soul (wit) creates a balanced contrast.

 

Conclusion:

Coleridge’s “What Is An Epigram?” distills the essence of the epigram form into a brief and witty poem itself, mirroring the qualities it describes. It emphasizes that an epigram’s power lies in its concise form combined with intellectual sharpness. The poem not only defines what an epigram is but also exemplifies it, showcasing the art of saying much with little in a clever and memorable way.

 

Key Exam Points

The poem is a definition poem that explains the nature of an epigram in just two lines.

Coleridge describes an epigram as a “dwarfish whole,” meaning it is a small, complete literary piece.

The epigram’s brevity (short length) is called its “body,” emphasizing conciseness as a defining physical feature.

Wit is described as the epigram’s “soul,” highlighting that cleverness and intellectual sharpness give the epigram its true value and life.

The poem uses personification by giving the epigram a body and soul, making it more vivid and relatable.

The poem itself is an example of an epigram—brief, witty, and self-contained.

The key qualities of an epigram according to Coleridge are brevity and wit, which together make it an effective poetic form.

The poem values conciseness and intellectual sharpness as literary virtues.

The metaphor “dwarfish whole” suggests that although an epigram is short, it is not incomplete or trivial; it has full meaning.

The poem shows the unity of form and content—the epigram’s form (brevity) and its essence (wit) cannot be separated.

 

Revision Sheet

1. Poem Summary:

Defines an epigram as a small but complete literary piece.

Describes the epigram’s main features: brevity (short length) and wit (cleverness).

 

2. Key Lines:

“A dwarfish whole” — the epigram is tiny but whole and complete.

“Its body brevity, and wit its soul” — brevity forms the epigram’s structure; wit gives it life and meaning.

 

3. Literary Devices:

Metaphor: “dwarfish whole” — highlights compactness and completeness.

Personification: epigram has “body” and “soul.”

Alliteration: “body brevity” — emphasizes the key feature of shortness.

Antithesis: contrast between physical form (brevity) and spirit (wit).

 

4. Themes:

Importance of conciseness in poetry.

Wit and intellectual sharpness as the core of an epigram.

The power of saying much in few words.

 

5. Significance:

The poem itself is an epigram, demonstrating its own definition.

Celebrates the literary art of economy and cleverness.

 

6. Exam Tips:

Remember the two main characteristics of an epigram: brevity and wit.

Explain how the poem uses metaphor and personification to define the form.

Note how the poem’s form reflects its content — it’s short, clever, and complete.

Be prepared to explain why wit is called the “soul” of the epigram.

 

Possible Exam Questions

 

What is the central idea of the poem “What Is An Epigram?” by Coleridge?

 

Explain the metaphor “a dwarfish whole” used in the poem. What does it suggest about an epigram?

 

How does Coleridge describe the relationship between brevity and wit in an epigram?

 

Discuss the use of personification in the poem and its effect.

 

Why does Coleridge say wit is the “soul” of an epigram?

 

How does the form of the poem itself reflect the characteristics of an epigram?

 

Identify and explain two literary devices used in the poem.

 

In what way does this poem celebrate brevity and wit as literary virtues?

 

How is the poem “What Is An Epigram?” an example of an epigram itself?

 

Compare the qualities of an epigram described in this poem to other poetic forms you know.