"Kubla Khan"
Poetry
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Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Kubla Khan Poem
Kubla Khan
By Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Or, a vision in a dream. A Fragment.
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;...
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"Kubla Khan" Summary
The poem starts by talking about a place called Xanadu. In Xanadu, a king named Kubla Khan ordered to build a beautiful and grand pleasure-dome (a kind of palace or building made for joy and relaxation). A sacred river called Alph flowed through deep, endless caves and finally went into a sunless sea. Around the pleasure-dome, there were ten miles of fertile ground. It was surrounded by walls and...
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"Kubla Khan" Themes
Imagination and Creativity: Coleridge shows that imagination is very powerful. In the poem, the speaker imagines how the palace of Xanadu looks. Time does not move normally in the poem; it jumps between past, future, dreams, and reality. The “sunless sea,” “deep romantic chasm,” and “caves of ice” all feel more like an imagination than something real. Coleridge shows that creativity is hard. Creat...
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"Kubla Khan" Literary Devices
Symbols
Nature: The poem is rich in natural imagery, referencing gardens, rivers, and forests. These elements can symbolize the untamed, sublime aspects of nature.
The Dome: The dome or palace that Kubla Khan ordered to be built represents his power and authority. It can also symbolize the human desire to create and control.
The Abyssinian Maid: This figure can symbolize the muse or inspiration fo...
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"Kubla Khan" Characters
Kubla Khan: The titular character, Kubla Khan, is a powerful and legendary Mongol ruler. He is the one who ordered the construction of the palace and gardens described in the poem.
The Abyssinian Maid: A character mentioned in the poem who plays a dulcimer and sings, creating enchantment and mystery.
The "man from Porlock": This mysterious figure is mentioned in the poem as someone who inte...
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Kubla Khan Quotes
"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
A stately pleasure-dome decree:"
Explanation: This is the opening line of the poem. It sets the stage for the majestic and surreal description of Kubla Khan’s palace. It introduces the fantastical setting.
Where Alph, the sacred river, ran
Through caverns measureless to man
Down to a sunless sea.
Explanation: Here, the speaker depicts the sacred river Alph. The river...
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Notes
Explore 6 detailed notes related to "Kubla Khan". Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.