The concept of imagination in the author's consciousness of the British age of reason

The concept of imagination is well studied from the standpoint of Romantic aesthetics. The author considers this notion in a Classicist discourse. The increasing importance of imagination in English writers' consciousness of the Age of Enlightenment correlates with the inspiration and the genius concepts evolved in the Age of Reason aesthetics. Based on the critical writings of A. Pope, A.A. Shaftesbury, J. Addison, and E. Young, the author shows the transformation of imagination from the minor notion primarily describing the reaction of the audience to art into the base of creativity in artist's consciousness. The development of imagination concept becomes one of those areas of enlightening author's consciousness where Romantic aesthetics originates.