"Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
"Kubla Khan" is a poem
written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, first published in 1816. The poem is known
for its vivid and dreamlike imagery, and it explores themes of creativity,
nature, and the power of the imagination.
The poem begins with a description
of the magnificent and mythical palace of Kubla Khan, a Mongol emperor. The
palace is situated in a beautiful and enchanted landscape, surrounded by
gardens, forests, and rivers. Coleridge vividly portrays the sensory details of
the scene, evoking a sense of awe and wonder.
"Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge-In the second part of the poem,
Coleridge shifts to a more personal and introspective tone. He describes
himself in a state of reverie or daydreaming, where he envisions the
construction of a great poem. He imagines a river flowing through the
underground caves and a powerful fountain, both representing the source of his
creativity.
"Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge-However, before Coleridge can fully
capture and articulate his vision, he is interrupted by an unknown force or
distraction. The poem ends abruptly, leaving the reader with a sense of longing
and an awareness of the limitations of human imagination.
Also Read-
"Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge-"Kubla Khan" is often
celebrated for its musical and lyrical qualities, as well as its exploration of
the supernatural and the sublime. It is considered one of Coleridge's most
famous and influential works, showcasing his Romantic sensibilities and his
belief in the transformative power of the 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
mesmerizing poem that transports readers to an enchanting world of imagination
and beauty. Samuel Taylor Coleridge's vivid descriptions of Kubla Khan's palace
and the surrounding landscape create a sense of wonder and awe. The poem delves
into the themes of creativity, nature, and the limitations of human
imagination.
"Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge-However, "Kubla Khan"
remains an incomplete work, as Coleridge was interrupted and unable to fully
realize his poetic vision. This abrupt ending leaves the reader with a feeling
of longing and emphasizes the fleeting and elusive nature of inspiration.
"Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge-Despite its unfinished nature,
"Kubla Khan" continues to captivate readers with its evocative
imagery, musical language, and exploration of the power of the imagination. It
remains an important piece in Coleridge's body of work and a testament to the
Romantic era's fascination with the sublime and the supernatural.
FAQ.
Q: Who is the author of "Kubla Khan"?
A: The author of "Kubla
Khan" is Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Q: When was "Kubla Khan" published?
A: "Kubla Khan" was first
published in 1816.
Q: What are the main themes of "Kubla Khan"?
A: The main themes of "Kubla
Khan" include creativity, nature, the power of the imagination, and the
limitations of human imagination.
Q: Why is "Kubla Khan" considered an important work?
A: "Kubla Khan" is considered
an important work because it showcases Coleridge's Romantic sensibilities and
his belief in the transformative power of the imagination. It is also
celebrated for its vivid imagery, musical language, and exploration of the
supernatural and the sublime.
Q: Why is the ending of "Kubla Khan" abrupt?
A: The ending of "Kubla Khan" is abrupt because Coleridge was interrupted while writing the poem and was unable to complete it. The abrupt ending adds to the sense of longing and highlights the transient nature of inspiration.
Q: What is the significance of the palace of Kubla Khan in the poem?
A: The palace of Kubla Khan represents a magnificent and mythical setting where the imagination can roam freely. It serves as a symbol of creativity and the power of the mind to construct fantastical worlds.
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