What does a nightingale have in common with a snake, bat and shark?

As an environmental studies major, It was very encouraging to read this poem. The author, Samuel Taylor Coldridge of "The Nightingale A Conversational Poem, Written in April 1798" rejected the greek myth which damned the nightingale as representative of melancholy and gloom. In Greek Mythology, the nightingale was personified through Philoema, who was raped by her brother in law,Tereus. To ensure her silence Tereus proceeded to violently remove her tongue, the story tells that Philoema was then transformed into a nightingale, whose songs are to be of sorrow, songs which Philoema could not utter.

"Most musical, most melancholy"Bird! A melancholy bird? O idle thought, In nature theres is nothing melancholy!" In this line, the author

rejects the notion that nature is melancholy, he believes nature cannot be despondent in and of itself, but rather human beings designate such associations to aspects of nature. The author doesn't only reject the notion, he admires the bird. "Nature's sweet voices always full of love And Joyance!' Tis is merry Nightingale That crowds, and hurries and precipitates" The author believes in the therapeutic power of nature, he believes that the birds are "stirring the air with such an harmony"

I believe that the 18th century nightingale is comparative to the shark, bat and snake genera in today's society. These three types of genus are demonized by biblical literature, cultural ideologies, media and misinformation.The shark genus associated with fear, otherworldliness and predation, partially due to popular movies such as JAWS etc.The Snake genus representative of evil, to many has been generally damned by the Judeo-Christian creation story which presents the snake as an earthly channel for Satan. The Bat genus have been associated with blood sucking vampires in many movies such as Bats and Dusk to Dawn. Just as in the poem, many were unaware or neglectful of the joy the nightingale possessed, Many persons today are also ignorant of or neglectful of the vital importance of such species in their specific ecologies. Bats are very important to many industries and the pollination cycles, Sharks are vital for keeping the oceanic ecology in check which ensures our oxygen source and Snakes are important indicators to the heath of a food chain. I urge everyone to adopt the Coleridge ethic from this poem, we should experience nature for ourselves and not adopt the beliefs of men who have demonized nature for particular reasons. After all, we are a part of Nature :).