"Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge Poem Summary
"Kubla Khan" is a renowned poem written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1797. The poem's composition was influenced by an opium-induced dream, which Coleridge claimed to have experienced.
The work is characterized by its vivid and imaginative descriptions
of a mythical and exotic landscape.
"Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge Poem Summary-The poem begins with a vivid
portrayal of the ancient Mongol ruler, Kubla Khan, who is depicted as a
powerful and majestic figure. Coleridge describes Kubla Khan's decree to build
a magnificent pleasure palace in Xanadu, a fictional city in ancient China. The
palace is described as having gardens, walls, and towers, all of which
contribute to its grandeur.
"Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge Poem Summary-Coleridge then paints a picture of
the surrounding landscape, which is enchanting and mysterious. He describes a
sacred river that flows through caverns and meanders through the landscape. The
river eventually plunges into a tumultuous waterfall, creating a sense of both
beauty and danger. The image of the waterfall is accompanied by vivid
descriptions of the sounds and colors associated with it.
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"Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge Poem Summary-The poet then introduces the reader
to a fantastical vision of the landscape, which includes gardens filled with
exotic trees and flowers. The imagery becomes more dreamlike as Coleridge
describes a vision of a woman playing an instrument, whose music has a
supernatural effect on the surroundings. The sounds of her music seem to merge
with the sounds of nature, creating a harmonious and otherworldly atmosphere.
Coleridge goes on to describe the
power and effect of the woman's music on his imagination. He states that the
music creates a "sacred" and "pleasure-dome" in his mind,
where he experiences a deep sense of awe and wonder. In this visionary state,
he envisions a vibrant and surreal landscape, filled with various sights and
sounds.
"Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge Poem Summary-However, the poet's reverie is
interrupted by a sudden sense of loss and frustration. He laments his inability
to capture and convey the full essence of his vision through words. Coleridge
compares himself to a musician who has forgotten a melody and is unable to
reproduce it. The poem ends with the poet expressing his desire to revive the
inspiration he experienced and recreate the vision in its entirety.
"Kubla Khan" is often
regarded as a prime example of Romantic poetry, known for its emphasis on
imagination, nature, and the supernatural. Coleridge's use of vivid and
evocative language, as well as his exploration of the power of the creative process,
makes the poem a significant contribution to the Romantic literary movement.
The work is also notable for its unique structure, which combines elements of
both a traditional ballad and a lyrical poem.
"Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge Poem Summary-Despite its relatively short
length, "Kubla Khan" has captivated readers and scholars for
centuries with its lush and imaginative imagery. The poem's mysterious and
dreamlike qualities continue to inspire interpretations and provoke discussions
about the nature of creativity and the power of the human imagination.
Kubla Khan Poem
In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
A stately pleasure-dome decree:
Where Alph, the sacred river, ran
Through caverns measureless to man
Down to a sunless
sea.
So twice five miles of fertile
ground
With walls and towers were girdled
round;
And there were gardens bright with
sinuous rills,
Where blossomed many an incense-bearing
tree;
And here were forests ancient as
the hills,
Enfolding sunny spots of greenery.
But oh! that deep romantic chasm
which slanted
Down the green hill athwart a
cedarn cover!
A savage place! as holy and
enchanted
As e’er beneath a waning moon was
haunted
By woman wailing for her
demon-lover!
And from this chasm, with ceaseless
turmoil seething,
As if this earth in fast thick
pants were breathing,
A mighty fountain momently was
forced:
Amid whose swift half-intermitted
burst
Huge fragments vaulted like
rebounding hail,
Or chaffy grain beneath the
thresher’s flail:
And mid these dancing rocks at once
and ever
It flung up momently the sacred
river.
Five miles meandering with a mazy
motion
Through wood and dale the sacred
river ran,
Then reached the caverns
measureless to man,
And sank in tumult to a lifeless
ocean;
And ’mid this tumult Kubla heard
from far
Ancestral voices prophesying war!
The shadow of the
dome of pleasure
Floated midway on
the waves;
Where was heard
the mingled measure
From the fountain
and the caves.
It was a miracle of rare device,
A sunny pleasure-dome with caves of
ice!
A damsel with a
dulcimer
In a vision once
I saw:
It was an
Abyssinian maid
And on her
dulcimer she played,
Singing of Mount
Abora.
Could I revive
within me
Her symphony and
song,
To such a deep
delight ’twould win me,
That with music loud and long,
I would build that dome in air,
That sunny dome! those caves of
ice!
And all who heard should see them
there,
And all should cry, Beware! Beware!
His flashing eyes, his floating
hair!
Weave a circle round him thrice,
And close your eyes with holy dread
For he on honey-dew hath fed,
And drunk the milk of Paradise.
Conclusion
"Kubla Khan" is a
captivating and influential poem that showcases Samuel Taylor Coleridge's
mastery of poetic language and imagery. Through his descriptions of the opulent
palace of Kubla Khan and the surreal landscape that follows, Coleridge transports
the reader to a world of wonder and enchantment.
"Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge Poem Summary-The poem raises questions about the
power of the imagination and the role of creativity in shaping our perception
of reality. It also hints at the fleeting nature of inspiration and the
frustration of being interrupted in the act of creation.
"Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge Poem Summary-"Kubla Khan" continues to
be celebrated for its vivid and dreamlike imagery, its exploration of the
sublime, and its contribution to the Romantic movement. Despite its unfinished
state, the poem has left a lasting impact on readers and remains a testament to
Coleridge's poetic genius.
FAQ.
Q: Who wrote "Kubla Khan"?
A: "Kubla Khan" was
written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Q: When was "Kubla Khan" written?
A: The poem was written in 1797.
Q: What is the poem about?
A: "Kubla Khan" is a
descriptive and imaginative poem that depicts the ancient Mongol ruler Kubla
Khan and his decree to build a magnificent pleasure palace in Xanadu. The poem
also explores a dreamlike and surreal landscape surrounding the palace, filled
with vivid imagery and supernatural elements.
Q: What themes are explored in "Kubla Khan"?
A: Some of the main themes explored
in the poem include the power of the imagination, the beauty and mystery of
nature, the limitations of language, and the connection between creativity and
inspiration. The poem also touches upon themes of exoticism and the
supernatural.
Q: What is the overall tone of the poem?
A: The overall tone of "Kubla Khan" is one of awe, wonder, and enchantment. The poem creates a dreamlike and mystical atmosphere, inviting the reader into a fantastical world of beauty and grandeur.
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