Kubla Khan Essay, Research Paper
In the poem Kubla Khan by Samuel Coleridge, language is used to convey images from Coleridge?s imagination. This is done with the use of vocabulary, imagery, structure, use of contrasts, rhythm and sound devices such as alliteration and assonance.
By conveying his imagination by using language, the vocabulary used by coleridge is of great importance. The five lines of the poem Kubla Khan sound like a chant or incantation, and help suggest mystery and supernatural themes of the poem. Another important theme of the poem is that of good versus evil. The vocabulary used throughout the poem helps convey these themes in images to the reader. In the first two lines, Coleridge describes the ?pleasure dome? in Xanadu.
In Xanadu did Kubla Khan
a stately pleasure dome decree
Kubla Khan did not merely order, but decree that a ?stately pleasure dome? be built. This dome is evidence of how unnatural the place of Xanadu is, it has a ruler who ignores the unpleasantness that can be found in life.
The use of vocabulary challenges and teases the imagination into seeing what he, Coleridge saw in his dream. In Xanadu, there are not small streams, but ?sinuous rills? and wall and towers do not enclose the gardens but are ?girdled round?. Coleridge?s use of language and vocabulary helps to convey the extent of his imagination.
In the poem Kubla Khan, imagery is also important for Coleridge to convey his imagination to the reader. There are images of paradise throughout the poem that are combined with references to darker, more evil places. On example of this is the ?demon lover? that has bewitched the woman. Coleridge?s image of the ?dome of pleasure? is mystical, contradicting the restrictions of realism. Xanadu is also a savage and ancient place where pure good and pure evil are much more apparent than in the monotony of everyday living. By using images, Coleridge conveys the extent of his imagination to readers.
The structure of Kubla Khan is really in two parts. The first, which contains three stanzas, describes Xanadu as if Coleridge is actually there, experiencing the place first hand. The second part of the poem is filled with longing to be in Xanadu, but Coleridge is unable to capture the experience again.
The first stanza has a definite rhythm and beat and describes the beauty and sacredness of Xanadu with rich, sensual and exotic images. The second stanza depicts the savage and untamed violence of life outside of the pleasure dome. The disorder and primitive cycles of nature are mixed with images of evil and the threat of war are also introduced in the second stanza. In the third stanza, the life forces are entwined together to prove that beauty and danger cannot be separated from eachother, despite what the ruler Kubla Khan wants. Kubla Khan is a self-portrayal by Coleridge who believes that it is he who controls the land of Xanadu.
A sunny pleasure dome
With caves of ice
The dome itself is a contrast with sun and ice, the sun symbolising all things good and the ice symbolising death and destruction.
There is a definite change of tone between the third and fourth stanzas. The fourth stanza no longer describes Xanadu, but Coleridge?s desire for control over his imagination, to be able to recon jure up the feelings and ideas of Xanadu. The two parts may initially seem unconnected, but the ideas in both parts of the poem link these sections together by showing that even the ruler cannot have control over the forces of nature, and the writer over his imagination.
Both parts of the poem deal with the attempt to create: Kubla Khan has built a pleasure dome and Coleridge is trying to use language to recreate the perfection of his dream with words. The poem is conveyed to the reader with the use of language and the structuring of the poem plays an important part in this.
In the poem Kubla Khan, Coleridge uses contrasts in the images he presents to his audience. Xanadu is idyllic, but also ?savage?. Coleridge uses images such as
a waning moon
was haunted by
a woman wailing for her demon lover
This image of a woman bound to evil brings the dark side of the supposed utopia to light. The peace and serenity is contrasted by the violent disorder of the river and the threat of war. The use of language in the contrasting images helps convey to the reader the extent of Coleridge?s imagination.
There are images of two women in the poem and they are a direct contrast to each other, one representing evil, and the Abyssinian maid exotic and beautiful. Yet the poem is a good example of appearances being deceptive. The ?pleasure dome? may be beautiful with its bright ?sunny? gardens and ?blossoming incense trees?, but it is an enchanted eye of the storm. The garden is surrounded by savage destruction caused by the ?ceaseless turmoil seething?. Xanadu is not ruled by what Coleridge wants, but by the raw, ancient corners of his mind, which are continuously struggling in their search for utopia. The ideal paradise is threatened by the darkness and disorder caused by the river Alph. All these images are examples of the extent that Coleridge conveys his imagination to the reader.
Coleridge was a deeply religious man and the poem is filled with references to god and related ideas. Xanadu symbolises the fabled Garden of Eden, it is lovely and innocent, surrounded by evil and the constant threat of destruction. ?Ancestral voices prophesying war? could be likened to God?s warning to go near the tree, as Eve fell for the snake?s treacherous charm.
Coleridge describes the river as ?sacred? on numerous occasions throughout the poem, and to Xanadu as ?holy and enchanted?. This is yet another contrast, how can something holy be enchanted at the same time? Coleridge talks too of ?miracles? but mingled with the holiness, Coleridge refers to hell with his choice of language to depict what is outside the pleasure dome. The demons described are closely related to witchcraft and the closing lines of Kubla Khan describe pagan rituals that attempt to protect not only the reader, but also Coleridge himself from the forces of evil and the extent of his imagination.
Coleridge, having ?drunk the milk of paradise? desired and sought after the beautiful image of Xanadu and Utopia and his final stanza is his way to describe to the reader how badly he wants to go back there. By using his wide vocabulary to depict images and contrasts with the help of some literary techniques such as imagery and contrasts, Coleridge easily conveys to the reader the extent of his imagination.
Другие работы по теме:
Romantic Period Essay Research Paper THE ROMANTIC
Romantic Period Essay, Research Paper THE ROMANTIC PERIOD The Romantic Period was a time when eighteenth century thinking changed from the world being viewed from the mind, to being viewed through the heart. This period was given its name by historians if the late 1800 s because all the attitudes and tendencies of eighteenth century classicism and rationalism were changed drastically.
Chingis Khan Essay Research Paper Chingis
Chingis Khan Essay, Research Paper Chingis Khan Mike CookHonors World History-8th hourDr. StelmachDec. 2, 1997 Chingis Khan Chingis Khan was the son of Yesugei and conqueror of medieval Eurasia. Thisposition contributes to his being described as one of the most influential figures in worldhistory. Chingis Khan had many hard-won dogfight victories against his neighbors, thepowerful Muslims and Chinese.
Romeo An Juliet Essay Research Paper hi
Romeo An Juliet Essay, Research Paper hi i need an essay about a character in romeo and juliet that demonsrtated maturity. in a well developed multi pagraph essay and say why you think the character’s maturity was greater than the other characters in the play.
Evilness Essay Research Paper Evilness occurs in
Evilness Essay, Research Paper Evilness occurs in everyday life. It is a quality that has been around since the beginning of time and will be around until the end if time. It is a quality in a person that never leads to anything good. It can be found in both literature as well as reality. Evilness can cause one to harm to the world, others, and eventually to themselves.
Oh Really Essay Research Paper Oh Reallyyou
Oh Really? Essay, Research Paper Oh Really, you think i am a lark, the dogs they run and bark, but when i say to them, shut up shut up shut up, you say to be nice to them,
Kubla Khan Essay Research Paper A wise
Kubla Khan Essay, Research Paper A wise man once said, Nature in all its glory can be the deliverer of life or the destroyer of all that is good. In the poem Kubla Khan, by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, nature takes up a major portion of the poem as Coleridge described the dream world of Khan. This poem reveals the romantic elements of nature, championing the individual and freely expressed emotion.
Whats Going On In Kubla Khan
Essay, Research Paper What?s Going on in ?Kubla Khan?? In 1798, a poet named Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote the poem called ?Kubla Khan?. In his preface, he stated that he had dreamt the poem, and wrote it down just as it was ?preserved?. The speaker also stated that the poem is merely a fragment, it is not complete. ?With the exception of about eight or ten scattered lines and images? that had been lost in the transition between sleep and being awake.
Shane Essay Research Paper Sometimes I need
Shane Essay, Research Paper Sometimes, I need you more than I need air And sometimes I miss you more than I will forever, never forget the times that we have shaared. The are priceless
Poem Belong Essay Research Paper Where I
Poem: Belong Essay, Research Paper Where I belong I am weak, I am strong I will fit where I belong don’t know where it is for now but it will come, if I allow tomorrow, I start a brand new day
Mughal Empire Essay Research Paper The greatest
Mughal Empire Essay, Research Paper The greatest flourishing of northern Indian culture, art, and imperial strength undoubtedly took place during the reign of the Mughal monarchs of the 16th and 17th centuries. The Mughals were Central Asian descendents of the great Mongol warriors Ghengis Khan and Timur.
Kubla Khan Essay Research Paper Kubla Khan
Kubla Khan Essay, Research Paper Kubla Khan by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is a poem about the creative powers of the poetic mind. Through the use of vivid imagery Coleridge reproduces a paradise-like vision of the landscape and kingdom created by Kubla Khan. The poem changes to the 1st person narrative and the speaker then attempts to recreate a vision he saw.
The Kubla Khan Or A Vision In
A Dream By Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Essay, Research Paper The Kubla Khan: or A Vision in a Dream By Samuel Taylor Coleridge. When the author dreamed about the content of this poem, he was in a lonely farm house, because he was sick. The doctor prescribed a drug that made him drowsy and fall into a profound sleep for a few hours.
Poem She Sat Essay Research Paper She
Poem: She Sat Essay, Research Paper She sat… helpless in her room praying to whatever god there may be to let her call to him. could god ignore such a painful cry?
Essay On Coleridge Essay Research Paper Question
Essay On Coleridge Essay, Research Paper Question: How does any writer on the course treat the figure of the social outcast or outsider? For the purposes of this assignment I will be examining two of Coleridge s most notable poetic works; The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan . From The Rime I will be examining the poets treatment of the Mariner himself and from Kubla Khan both Kubla Khan and the unnamed poetic presence that is makes its self know at end of the poem.
Scarlet Letter Proof Of Atrophine Poisoning Essay
, Research Paper ATROPINE POISONING: WAS IT THE CAUSE OF DIMMESDALE S DEATH? In an article in the New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Jemshed A. Khan claims that Roger Chillingworth poisoned Arthur Dimmesdale with the drug atropine in Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter. Certainly, Chillingworth was a man of skill in all Christian modes of physical science (Hawthorne 65) and was very knowledgeable about medicinal roots and herbs (Hawthorne 65).
Genghis Khan Destined To Be A Hero
Essay, Research Paper Arriving in this world with a blood clot in the palm of his hand , Genghis Khan was destined to be a hero. In 1167, Genghis Khan was born to Yisugei, Chieftain of the Kiyat-Borjigid,
Genghis Khan Essay Research Paper GENGHIS KHANGenghis
Genghis Khan Essay, Research Paper GENGHIS KHAN Genghis Khan was born in Temujin in 1167. He showed promise as a leader and a fighter. By 1206, an assembly of Mongolian chieftains proclaimed him Genghis Khan. Which meant Universal or invincible prince. This was a bold move for the assembly. They obviously saw some leadership qualities in Genghis that others didn+t.
Genghis Khan Essay Research Paper Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan Essay, Research Paper Genghis Khan Genghis Khan was considered a great military leader. And in many ways he was. Genghis Khan didn?t use the size of his army to defeat an enemy. He used logic and cunning. This was one of the traits that made Genghis Khan as well known as he was.
Marco Polo Essay Research Paper MARCO POLOMarco
Marco Polo Essay, Research Paper MARCO POLO Marco Polo is one of the most well known heroic travelers and traders around the world. In my paper I will discuss with you Marco Polo s life, his travels, and his visit to China to see the great Khan. Marco Polo was born in 1254 in Venice. He was a Venetian explorer and merchant whose account of his travels in Asia was the primary source for the European image of the Far East until the late 19th century.
Marco Polo 2 Essay Research Paper Marco
Marco Polo 2 Essay, Research Paper Marco Polo Marco Polo was born in 1254. He was a Italian traveler and explorer. He was the first European to cross the entire continent of Asia and leave a record of what he saw and heard.
Romantic Era Essay Research Paper The underlying
Romantic Era Essay, Research Paper The underlying theme in many works produced in the Romantic Era is the complete power of nature over humanity and the human spirit. In many such works, nature’s forces are used as metaphors for inspiration on the part of the poet. Such poets who embraced the custom of nature in their works included; William Wordsworth, Samuel Coleridge, Percy Bysshe Shelley, George Gordon, Lord Byron, and John Keats.
Biography Of Genghis Khan Essay Research Paper
The old world had many great leaders. Alexander the Great, Hannibal and even Julius Caesar met with struggle on their rise to power. Perhaps Genghis Khan was the most significant of all these
Samuel Taylor Coleridge Essay Research Paper English
Samuel Taylor Coleridge Essay, Research Paper English lyrical poet, critic, and philosopher, whose LYRICAL BALLADS, written with William Wordsworth, started the English Romantic movement. Although Coleridge’s poetic achievement was small in quantity, his metaphysical anxiety, anticipating modern existentialism, has gained him reputation as an authentic visionary.
Ode To Boys Essay Research Paper We
Ode To Boys Essay, Research Paper We like them But do they like us The ones we do never fuss They don’t stop in And we wonder why We stress, we bitch We sometimes cry
Marco Polo Essay Research Paper Marco PoloWhile
Marco Polo Essay, Research Paper Marco Polo While I lay here, on my death bed, I think “how can my friends accuse me of lying!” They asked me if I had exaggerated any of my adventures and I didn’t understand why they felt I would do this. I told them I haven’t even revealed half my stories and adventures! I have traveled and done so much.
Genghis Khan Essay Research Paper Genghis Khans
Genghis Khan Essay, Research Paper Genghis Khan?s original name was Temujin. He was born in 1167 near lake Baikal in Russia, born the son of Yesukai. His father was a tribal chief. At the age of
The Mongolian Empire Essay Research Paper The
The Mongolian Empire Essay, Research Paper The Mongolian Empire The most savage conquerors of history were the Mongols. The Mongolian empire was the largest land empire of its era and occupied land from the yellow sea in Eastern Asia to the border of Eastern Europe. The empire included land in China, Korea, Mongolia, Persia as well as parts of Thailand and Russia.