Works of imagination should be written in very plain language; the more purely imaginative they are the more necessary it is to be plain.

The quote "Works of imagination should be written in very plain language; the more purely imaginative they are the more necessary it is to be plain" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge emphasizes the importance of clarity and simplicity in conveying complex or fantastical ideas. Coleridge, a renowned poet and philosopher, believed that the more imaginative and otherworldly a piece of writing is, the more essential it becomes for the language to remain accessible. The idea is that while imagination can explore abstract or surreal concepts, it should still be presented in a way that doesn't overwhelm the reader with overly complex or convoluted language, allowing the ideas to be understood and appreciated.

Coleridge’s point is that imagination often deals with themes that are difficult to grasp or interpret, such as dreams, emotions, or fantastical worlds. By using plain language, the writer helps ground these abstract ideas, making them more relatable and impactful. For Coleridge, the beauty of imaginative works lies not in their complexity of language but in their ability to engage the reader's imagination directly, without the barrier of ornate or inaccessible expression.

The origin of this quote comes from Coleridge’s thoughts on poetic imagination and his own approach to writing. Coleridge, alongside William Wordsworth, was a central figure in the Romantic movement, which championed the expression of individual emotion and the exploration of nature and the human experience. He believed that poetry, particularly works of imagination, should inspire readers by using clear, relatable language that invites them to engage with profound or fantastical concepts without feeling alienated by the form of the language itself.

Ultimately, Coleridge’s quote is a reminder that imagination can be powerful when paired with clarity and simplicity in writing. While the subject matter might be complex or abstract, the language should remain straightforward to ensure that readers can easily access and connect with the ideas being presented. This approach allows the writer to guide the reader through the imaginative experience, making the work more effective and impactful.