Fancy In Nubibus, Or The Poet In The Clouds by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Poem, Summary, & Analysis)

 

Fancy In Nubibus, Or The Poet In The Clouds

by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

(Poem, Summary, & Analysis) 

Fancy In Nubibus, Or The Poet In The Clouds

O! it is pleasant with a heart at ease,

Just after sunset, or by moonlight skies,

To make the shifting clouds be what you please,

Or let the easily persuaded eyes

Own each quaint likeness issuing from the mould

Of a friend's fancy; or with head bent low

And cheek aslant see rivers flow of gold

'Twixt crimson banks; and then, a traveller, go

From mount to mount through Cloudland, gorgeous land!

Or list'ning to the tide, with closed sight,

Be that blind bard, who on the Chian strand

By those deep sounds possessed with inward light

Beheld the Iliad and Odyssey

Rise to the swelling of the voiceful sea.

 

Summary

The poem begins with the speaker expressing the joy of gazing at clouds with a peaceful heart, particularly during twilight or under moonlit skies. The poet describes how the imagination can shape the shifting clouds into various forms, allowing the viewer to perceive whatever their mind wishes. The clouds, ever-changing, take on fantastical and picturesque shapes, appearing like figures cast from an unseen mold.

As the poem progresses, Coleridge highlights the power of the poetic mind, which can find inspiration in these floating visions. He suggests that such moments of contemplation bring deep delight, especially to those with artistic sensibilities. The poet contrasts this with the mundane concerns of ordinary life, which often lack the beauty and wonder that creative minds perceive in nature.

Further, he describes the pleasure of witnessing these celestial transformations, emphasizing how the clouds can resemble landscapes, palaces, or mythical beings. This imaginative engagement with nature, he implies, is a form of artistic creation, where the mind projects its dreams and emotions onto the world.

Toward the end of the poem, Coleridge conveys a sense of nostalgia and loss. He reflects on how, in youth, such visions were more vivid and exhilarating. With age, however, these imaginative joys fade, replaced by the burdens of reality. The poet longs for the uninhibited wonder of his earlier years, when the clouds seemed filled with endless possibilities and enchantment.

Thus, Fancy in Nubibus celebrates the power of imagination, the beauty of nature’s transient forms, and the bittersweet passage of time that diminishes the poetic vision of youth.

 

Analysis

Theme Analysis:

The Power of Imagination:

The central theme of the poem is the transformative power of the imagination. Coleridge, a Romantic poet, believed that the mind had the ability to shape and interpret nature in a deeply personal way. The poem illustrates how the clouds, shifting and changing, become a canvas upon which the poet’s imagination projects various forms. This aligns with the Romantic ideal that art and nature are interconnected through human perception.

 

Nature as a Source of Inspiration:

Coleridge presents nature, particularly the sky and its cloud formations, as a source of poetic inspiration. The poet finds deep pleasure in watching the clouds, drawing meaning and beauty from them. This reflects the Romantic reverence for nature, where natural elements become symbols of artistic and emotional expression.

 

Nostalgia and the Loss of Childhood Wonder:

A subtle but poignant theme in the poem is the contrast between youthful imagination and the disillusionment that comes with age. Coleridge suggests that the ability to see fantastical visions in nature is stronger in youth, but as one grows older, this imaginative power fades under the weight of life’s responsibilities. This reflects a common Romantic lament—the loss of innocence and creative freedom due to the constraints of adulthood.

 

Escapism through Art:

The poem also explores the idea of escapism. The poet implies that gazing at clouds and letting the imagination roam freely is a form of relief from the burdens of everyday life. The ability to see beyond the physical world into a realm of fancy is both a gift and a retreat for the poet.

 

Structure and Style Analysis:

Rhyme and Meter:

The poem follows a regular metrical pattern, with a flowing and musical quality that enhances the dreamy and reflective tone. The rhyme scheme contributes to the sense of harmony, mirroring the effortless drifting of clouds across the sky.

 

Imagery:

Coleridge uses rich and vivid imagery to bring the scene to life. The description of clouds as “quaint likeness issuing from the mould” suggests that nature itself is like an artist, sculpting whimsical shapes. This personification of nature aligns with the Romantic belief that nature is alive and filled with meaning.

 

Symbolism:

Clouds: Represent the ever-changing nature of life and the imagination. They symbolize both artistic creativity and the fleeting nature of dreams.

Moonlight and Twilight: Suggest a mystical, otherworldly atmosphere, reinforcing the theme of imagination and poetic vision.

The Poet’s Vision vs. Reality: The contrast between seeing fantastical shapes in the clouds and the eventual loss of this ability suggests the inevitable clash between youthful wonder and mature realism.

 

Tone and Mood:

The tone of the poem starts with joy and wonder, reflecting the delight of a poet lost in imaginative thought.

As the poem progresses, a melancholic undertone emerges, particularly when Coleridge reflects on how the power of fancy diminishes with age.

The overall mood is dreamy, nostalgic, and slightly wistful, characteristic of many Romantic-era poems.

Philosophical and Literary Context:

 

Romanticism:

Coleridge was a leading figure in the Romantic movement, which emphasized emotion, nature, and imagination over logic and reason. Fancy in Nubibus embodies these ideals by celebrating the creative mind’s ability to find meaning in the natural world.

 

The Role of the Poet:

In Coleridge’s view, the poet is someone who sees the world differently—more deeply and imaginatively than others. This idea echoes his concept of the “secondary imagination”, which he discusses in his literary criticism. According to him, poets don’t just observe reality; they reshape and elevate it through their creative perception.

 

Connection to Coleridge’s Life:

Coleridge often struggled with depression and opium addiction, and many of his later poems reflect a sense of longing for lost inspiration. In Fancy in Nubibus, this is evident in his reflection on the fading of youthful imagination, suggesting a personal connection to his own declining creative energy.

 

Conclusion:

Coleridge’s Fancy in Nubibus is a meditation on the power of the imagination, the beauty of nature, and the inevitable loss of poetic vision with age. Through rich imagery and a lyrical style, the poem captures both the joy of artistic creation and the sorrow of its impermanence. It is a quintessential Romantic work, reflecting the movement’s emphasis on nature, emotion, and the transcendent power of the human mind.

 

Critical Evaluation

Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Fancy in Nubibus is a deeply reflective poem that captures the essence of Romanticism—imagination, nature, and nostalgia. Through an exploration of cloud-gazing, Coleridge conveys a larger philosophical message about the power of creative perception, the contrast between youth and age, and the role of the poet in society.

 

Strengths of the Poem:

1. Celebration of Imagination and Creativity

One of the poem’s greatest strengths is its rich exploration of the imagination. Coleridge, a firm believer in the transformative power of the mind, illustrates how the shifting clouds can become whatever the viewer wishes. This aligns with the Romantic notion that reality is not fixed but is shaped by human perception. The poem suggests that imagination is not merely a passive faculty but an active force that brings meaning and beauty to the world.

 

2. Vivid and Evocative Imagery

Coleridge’s use of visual and dynamic imagery enhances the poem’s dreamlike quality. His descriptions of the clouds as ever-changing figures allow readers to share in his vision. The phrase “quaint likeness issuing from the mould” gives the impression that nature itself is a sculptor, constantly reshaping the sky. Such imagery not only creates a sense of wonder but also underscores the idea that nature is an artist, much like the poet himself.

 

3. Romantic Idealization of Nature

The poem reflects the Romantic movement’s deep reverence for nature as a source of inspiration. Coleridge presents nature not merely as an external reality but as a living, breathing entity that interacts with the human mind. The moonlight, twilight, and moving clouds all contribute to a mystical atmosphere, reinforcing the Romantic belief that nature is infused with deeper meaning.

 

4. The Theme of Nostalgia and Loss

A powerful undercurrent in the poem is nostalgia for lost youth and imagination. Coleridge suggests that as people grow older, the ability to see magic in the world fades. This theme adds emotional depth to the poem, making it more than just an ode to the imagination—it becomes a meditation on the passage of time and the fleeting nature of artistic vision. This sense of melancholy reflects Coleridge’s own struggles with creative decline in his later years.

 

Weaknesses and Limitations:

1. Ambiguity in Philosophical Depth

While the poem beautifully captures the power of imagination, it does not delve deeply into why this ability fades with age. Unlike some of Coleridge’s other works (The Rime of the Ancient Mariner or Kubla Khan), which engage in more profound philosophical explorations, Fancy in Nubibus remains somewhat surface-level in its contemplation of the loss of creativity.

 

2. Lack of Structural Complexity

The poem follows a smooth, flowing rhythm, which complements its reflective nature. However, compared to Coleridge’s other works that experiment with structure and sound, this poem is relatively straightforward. While this simplicity makes it accessible, it may not leave as strong an impression as his more dramatic or thematically complex poems.

 

3. The Poet’s Position as an Observer

Unlike some of Coleridge’s other works, where the poet actively interacts with supernatural or visionary elements (Kubla Khan), here, the poet is a passive observer. He watches the clouds and allows his imagination to shape them, but he does not engage with them in a more profound or transformative way. Some critics argue that this makes the poem less engaging than his more dynamic works.

 

Comparison with Other Works:

1. Connection to Kubla Khan

Like Kubla Khan, this poem celebrates the power of imagination. However, while Kubla Khan presents an intense, almost mystical vision of a dream-like paradise, Fancy in Nubibus is quieter and more meditative. The absence of dramatic tension in Fancy in Nubibus makes it a gentler reflection on imagination, rather than an overwhelming or ecstatic vision.

 

2. Connection to Dejection: An Ode

A more direct comparison can be made with Dejection: An Ode, where Coleridge laments the loss of his poetic ability. In that poem, he expresses deep despair over his fading inspiration, whereas in Fancy in Nubibus, the tone is nostalgic rather than mournful. Both poems reflect on the decline of imagination with age, but Dejection is far more personal and emotional.

 

3. Influence from William Wordsworth

Coleridge’s meditation on nature and imagination closely aligns with Wordsworth’s poetic philosophy. Wordsworth also viewed nature as a source of divine inspiration and often wrote about the loss of childhood wonder (Ode: Intimations of Immortality). Fancy in Nubibus reflects this theme but focuses specifically on the role of the poet rather than humanity as a whole.

 

Conclusion:

Overall, Fancy in Nubibus is a beautifully written poem that captures the Romantic ideals of imagination, nature, and nostalgia. While it may not be as dramatic or thematically complex as some of Coleridge’s other works, it remains a touching reflection on the poet’s relationship with the creative mind and the passage of time. Its strength lies in its vivid imagery, emotional depth, and ability to evoke a sense of wonder, making it a fine example of Coleridge’s poetic vision.