Critical Analysis of “Kubla Khan”

“Kubla Khan” is a dream. Coleridge confesses that he saw a dream under the impact of
opium. He slept for a long time but his guests interrupted him. He forgot his half-dream
due to the interruption of his guests. “Kubla Khan” creates an imaginary world. Poet
lives like kings in this world. He captures a clear picture of every wonderful object of
nature like a true artist. However, he does consider “Kubla Khan” a complete poem but a
fragment. The Source of the poem is “Purcha’s Pilgrimage”. The poet was reading this
poem when he fell asleep. Kubla Khan is the character of that book who builds a
separate place for himself in order to enjoy the luxuries of life. The poem was published
in the year 1816.

The poem starts with a wonderful description of a dome. It does not follow a story. It is
just about the wish of Kubla Khan. The poet creates a world, free from the harsh realities
of life. Kubla Khan is a king and occupies resources to build a wonderful dome. He
orders that a dome be built near a sacred river Alph. He chooses a place Xanadu for this
purpose. A dark forest, full of trees and the strange fragrance of different flowers, also
exists there. Xanadu has also zigzag streams, sunny spots of greenery and ancient
forests.

Starting lines of the poem describe natural objects. Romantic poetry is the poetry of
nature. Every romantic poet remains close to nature. He never leaves any chance to
illustrate natural imagery. These lines are evident that S T Coleridge loves nature and
appreciates it. The explanation of streams, rivers, forests, flowers and dome is
extraordinary. The Poet’s artistic talent and the power of romantic poetry can be
witnessed in these lines.

The poet diverts his attention towards the green hill that lies across the cavern of cedar
trees. He exalts the beauty of the hill. A woman who misses her lover or a girl who is
deceived by her lover can sit there and bewail. It is a perfect place for this purpose. The
poet further talks about the fountain. It is looking very magnificent. He describes its
beauty. Water is running through it and scattering like grains. Then he explains the
beauty of Alph river. It is the most wonderful entity in this place. The zigzag shape of the
river increases its beauty. It is situated in a beautiful valley.

S T Coleridge goes at the peak in appreciation of beauty. It seems that after long pursuit
he finds it. Previously, he was talking about motionless images of nature. He changes his
style. He adds motion to his imagery. S T Coleridge’s imagination is praiseworthy. It
seems that he is not only a poet but a painter. Readers feel the beauty of the dream.
Every word makes this dream and its imagery clear; measureless caverns, the painting
earth, the dancing rocks, the sunless and lifeless sea, the tumult of the mighty waves as
they rush into the silent ocean, the scene where a woman bewails for her love— all these
things have been described splendidly. Undoubtedly, he has captured emotions in this
scene. In fact, “Kubla Khan” and its critical analysis prove the real power of poetry.
He also adds some music to this poem. Until now, we were seeing a mute panorama.
The poet refers to a maiden, who is singing. He values the beauty of the maiden’s voice.
Due to music, the place has become harmonious. Music, which is produced by a musical
instrument, can be heard in the imagination. Here, the description of the stunning eyes
of the maiden is remarkable. The poet has an astonishing quality of putting things in
front of readers with exact same taste as he feels. In short, in the ending lines of the
poem, the poet has created an imaginary paradise.

The poet calls this poem a fragment because he can’t sketch his complete dream. Even
then the poem is a wonderful piece of literature. The majority of critics do not think that
the poem is a fragment. They declare it a complete poem. For instance, Humphrey
House believes that the poem is perfect and complete. Similarly, George Saintsbury
said:

“It is complete. It is pure poetry, it is perfect.”

George Saintsbury on critical analysis of “Kubla Khan”

“Kubla Khan” is no more than a series of pictures but these pictures are enough for the
poet to enjoy the world of imagination. Although there is no coherence in the images yet
every object of nature has been minutely crafted. There is a strange mystery in it.
Especially, the moonlight scene is extraordinarily painted. The poet has referred to far-
off places. The whole poem seems to be a Utopian world; a world where there are no
worries; it is for those people who are lovers of nature. Maidens, music and singing
make this poem an entirely romantic piece of literature. It is not wrong to say that if one
wants to differentiate romantic poetry from realistic, one can read “Kubla Khan”.