THERE IS A PASSAGE in Schiller's poetological writings that merits attention because it captures the essential paradox of Schillerian freedom and didactic intention. This is Schiller's contention in “Über Matthissons Gedichte” (1794) that “die höchste Freiheit gerade nur durch die höchste Bestimmtheit möglich ist.” Within a discussion of landscape description in poetry, Schiller expands on the role of the poet, which is that of determining the reader's sensations for the sake of receptivity to higher ideals. Clearly aware that his remarks on determination evoke coercion, Schiller tries to demonstrate that the paradox of determining thoughts and emotions while preserving the determinee's freedom is merely apparent. He argues that the poet, who must be certain of his effects, but also respect the reader's freedom, will prescribe for the reader exactly that path that the reader's imagination would have taken in full freedom, a formulation that is as logically fraught as the pairing of freedom and determination. He then offers practical advice as to how to accomplish the task of prescribing that which would also be freely chosen. The key lies in apprehending the rules according to which the imagination functions: