Schiller’s Influence on Coleridge

Abstract

　Except for a few notable and courageous scholars Schiller’s effect on Coleridge has not been investigated. Recently some critics have brought up the matter and tried to connect Coleridge with Schiller. However these are mostly fragmentary or incomplete efforts. In this paper the author has tried to fill in some of the gaps.

　The term “Einbildungskraft”, which Schiller borrowed from Kant, is the constructive power in art. It is considered to be ‘imagination’in the Coleridgean sense. The paper discusses here the character and meaning of both terms, and refers to the distinction between Einbildungskraft and Phantasie, or imagination and fancy. Here we have the great problem of reason and understanding. Both poets considered that Einbildungskraft, imagination or creative power, belongs to reason, and Phantasie, fancy or associative power, to understanding.

　The balance and tension between nature and thought is the other important theme of both poets. Their ideas are fundamentally similar. The symbol and symbolized in Schiller are closely connected to Coleridge’s ‘natura naturata’ and ‘natura naturans ’. They are both utilizing what we call the ‘polar theory’，which they inherited from ancient thought. The passive and active powers in nature and man come together when the action of the imagination results in great works of art.

　From these observations, the author concludes that Schiller directly influenced Coleridge’s thought ，especially as regards the idea of imagination.