Afflatus divine refers to the classical and Romantic notion of poetic inspiration as a supernatural or divine infusion—a sudden, overwhelming rush of creative energy believed to originate from a muse, deity, or transcendent source; this concept positions the poet not as a deliberate craftsman but as a passive vessel through whom higher truths or ecstatic visions flow, as described by Plato in the Ion or echoed in Coleridge’s account of composing “Kubla Khan,” and though modern poetics often demystifies inspiration, the term remains useful for discussing moments of seemingly involuntary, luminous creativity in poetic composition.

Afflatus divine: The classical notion of poetic inspiration as divine breath or possession; contrasts with Romantic "imagination" and modern views of craft; key in understanding prophetic or visionary poetry.