Summary
Right away, Coleridge opens the poem with the definitions of various poetic metrical feet, beginning with trochees, then continuing onto spondees, dactyls, iambs, anapests, amphybrachs and, finally, amphimacers. The poet playfully illustrates each of these syllabic units by employing them in the poem itself, alongside accent marks that visualize the stressed and unstressed syllables. Next, the poet directly addresses his son, Derwent, and tells him that if he learns these poetic units and remains in harmony with his heart and mind, then not only could he achieve poetic fame, but also win the love of both his father and God. Finally, Coleridge concludes the poem with an affirmation of his fatherly love, stating that even if Derwent were to look down from a mountaintop, he could find no man who loves quite him as much as his father.
Analysis
“Metrical Feet” is a sweetly simple poem that seeks to simultaneously educate the reader on the fundamental metrical units used to compose poetry, project an idealistic image of “the poet” as a role model, and also openly proclaim the writer's parental love for his son. Coleridge seamlessly weaves these three strands together by positioning the poem as an educational tool for his son, who he evidently hopes will pursue poetry as passionately as himself.
Coleridge employs multiple pedagogical techniques to simplify the meaning of each poetic term for his son and reader. For example, in addition to defining many of the metrical feet outright, he also simultaneously employs them throughout the poem to illustrate their forms. In this way, something like the third line—“Slow Spondee stalks; strong foot!”—actually demonstrates to the reader how a spondaic line of poetry looks. This definition is even further reinforced by the use of accent marks, which highlight stressed and unstressed syllables. Furthermore, the combined use of accent marks and demonstrative examples of the metrical feet also indicate the rhythm, emotion and dramatic tension each produces in a poem. Calling a spondee a “strong foot,” for instance, underscores the emphasizing beat that a spondaic foot often creates in a poetic line.
The second half of the poem illustrates Coleridge’s hopes that his son, Derwent, will employ this metrical lesson in his own poetic practice. The connection between father and son is a fundamental theme of this section, particularly as it both references their familial connection and also suggests the son follow in the father’s poetic footsteps. At the same time, Coleridge positions the poet as a kind of exemplary role model for a child: not only are poets innocent and respectful of the natural world, but they also employ their intellect in the service of their heart. In the end, the poet’s idealistic vision of poetry makes way for a tenderhearted message of love to his son, indicating that the poem’s composition was driven by parental affection above all else.
