Explain Coleridge‟s ideas on fancy and imagination ( MEG 102 ) ( S. T. COLERIDGE )

Samuel Taylor Coleridge distinguished between two different faculties of the mind that are involved in the creation of poetry: fancy and imagination. According to Coleridge, fancy and imagination are related, but they are not the same thing.

Fancy, according to Coleridge, is the ability of the mind to create novel and unexpected combinations of ideas. It is the power of the mind to create things that do not exist in reality, but which are still plausible and coherent. Fancy involves the ability to combine existing ideas in new and interesting ways, often through the use of metaphor, simile, and other forms of figurative language. Coleridge considered fancy to be a lower form of creativity than imagination, because it relies on pre-existing ideas and does not involve the creation of entirely new concepts.

Imagination, on the other hand, is a higher form of creativity that involves the ability to create new concepts and ideas that do not exist in reality. According to Coleridge, imagination involves a kind of intuitive perception that allows the poet to see beyond the surface appearances of things and to grasp deeper truths about the nature of reality. Imagination is not limited to the creation of new images and metaphors, but can also involve the creation of entire worlds and systems of thought.

Coleridge believed that the best poetry combines both fancy and imagination. Fancy provides the poet with the ability to create vivid and memorable images and metaphors, while imagination allows the poet to explore deeper truths and to create works of lasting significance. In Coleridge's view, the most successful poets are those who are able to balance these two faculties and to create works that are both intellectually stimulating and aesthetically pleasing.