Author: Ano Sensei
Format: Video
Structure: Iambic, Irregular rhyme
Related content:
- • Coleridge: Kubla Khan – Reading & Analysis (Playlist) (Video Playlist)
- • Coleridge: Kubla Khan – Plain Reading (Video)
- • Coleridge: The Preface to Kubla Khan – Analysis (Video)
- • Coleridge: Kubla Khan – Illustrated Reading (Video)
- • Coleridge: Kubla Khan – Reading & Analysis (Video)
Coleridge, "Kubla Khan". Does this poem mean anything at all? If so, what? An in-depth analysis.
"It is not a poem, but ...a musical composition" — so said William Hazlitt in 1816, dismissing Kubla Khan as brilliant nonsense. He wasn't entirely wrong about the music. But is there more going on beneath the surface?
This video offers a detailed analysis of one of the most celebrated and most puzzling poems in the English language — examining Coleridge's extraordinary use of sound, rhythm, assonance and alliteration, the contrasting elements that run through the imagery (man-made versus natural, light versus dark, the pleasure dome versus the sunless sea), and the deeper question of what, if anything, the poem actually means.
Along the way: the links to Milton's Paradise Lost and the Book of Tobit that cast doubt on Coleridge's famous account of the poem's composition; the possible connection to the Enclosure Acts; the argument that the poem is really about the creative process itself; and the final section's tantalising suggestion that the poet has failed to achieve the very inspiration he describes.
Is Kubla Khan a symbolic representation of divine and artistic creation — or, as one critic memorably puts it, "a small masterpiece of confidence trickery"? That's something you'll have to work out for yourself.
You also need to see the poem in the context of Coleridge's preface, which I discuss here: https://youtu.be/LFVd8IPkCwc
Ano Sensei (aka John R. Yamamoto-Wilson) holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge and taught English literature at Sophia University, Tokyo, for many years.
0:00 Introduction
0:13 Lines 1-2
0:56 Coleridge's use of sound
3:07 Lines 3-5
4:54 What does it all mean?
5:48 Contrasting elements in the imagery
7:26 Lines 6-11
8:35 Contrasting elements
9:13 "Kubla Khan" and the Enclosure Acts
11:05 Lines 12-16
11:33 Milton's Paradise Lost
12:15 The demon lover in Tobit
14:49 Lines 17-36
16:18 "Kubla Khan" and creativity
17:12 Poetic technique
19:29 Lines 37-54
19:30 Self-referentiality in "Kubla Khan"
21:32 To what extent can "Kubla Khan" be considered successful?
"Kubla Khan" playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFVd8IPkCwc&list=PLzVb6yL_jY6_WsK09gs-uE-t_UmSeOiQg This offers a variety of viewing options.
If subtitles are not available in your language, let me know and I will add them.
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14 Comments
0:00 Introduction
0:13 Lines 1-2
0:56 Coleridge’s use of sound
3:07 Lines 3-5
4:54 What does it all mean?
5:48 Contrasting elements in the imagery
7:26 Lines 6-11
8:35 Contrasting elements
9:13 “Kubla Khan” and the Enclosure Acts
11:05 Lines 12-16
11:33 Milton’s Paradise Lost
12:15 The demon lover in Tobit
14:49 Lines 17-36
16:18 “Kubla Khan” and creativity
17:12 Poetic technique
19:29 Lines 37-54
19:30 Self-referentiality in “Kubla Khan”
21:32 To what extent can “Kubla Khan” be considered successful?
I do not know, if you will ever see this comment. I have cried to your video.
What does it mean? You asked.
The measureless, sunless, inifinity that Taylor was talking about is the endless creation.
I will not go to each detail, but let me share what I think.
In concept, the cosmos is endless, fundamentally unending.
When Samuel was writing this poem, he had a connection in those moments with the infinite nature, and the words just flowed and this poetry emerged.
The meaning of this cannot be explained, because meaning is understood by mind, and the creational forces of universe are beyond the mind. I am not saying above mind, I am saying more than mind.
It is like asking a fish, what air is. To the fish, water is everything.
In all truth, even Samuel did not understand this probably. But what is to be noted is that, it is beautiful.
And the most interesting fact, the creation or cosmos is NOT created by the GOD.
The implication of the above sentence is not that GOD does not exist.
But, it means that the creation itself is the creator.
It also means, that creation never happened, it’s always happening. It is a startless, endless, and an always in present activity at atomic, humane and cosmic scale alike.
When a human energies and human consciousness coincides with the creative consciousness (GOD) – or the creation – or the process of creation itself –
Then such poetry emerges.
I do not know how much sense I make myself, but this is what it is.
That is a beautiful response, Akshansh! As your very name suggests, we are part of a greater whole. Mostly, though, we are not conscious of that, and the beauty of this poem comes from the fact that somehow Coleridge connects consciously with it. Your comment makes perfect sense. You should be a poet yourself!
I am not a poetry person but suddenly i feel i am…what a video
Wow! What a comment! I have been doing other things for the past few months, but comments like this make me realise that making these videos should be my priority. Thank you!
And there’s something else in the pipeline, something that may help you to become even more of a “poetry person”. I won’t go into details now, but give me a few days and I’ll get back to you!
Hi! Here’s the “something else” I mentioned. I am inviting a few people to check out a new forum I am building. It’s still in the testing stage, and I’d like to get some input before going “live”. It’s a poetry discussion forum with a bit of a difference, and the main link I’d like some follow-up on is this: https://mgj.5d9.myftpupload.com/forums/topic/shelley-and-heavy-metal/
All and any reactions are most welcome at this stage!
You’ll need to create a login, and you are, of course, welcome to comment on either of the other forums (self-intro, or a thread on a poem of your choice: https://mgj.5d9.myftpupload.com/poetry-forums/).
I’d be grateful if you could let me know if you have problems logging in or accessing other parts of the site. I need to get everything ironed out before moving this from a staging site to full production mode!
Many thanks!
Great exposition. MANY THANKS.
You’re welcome! Thanks for the feedback.
The best analysis Thank you
You are welcome! Thank you for the feedback.
This was an incredible video! I found your insights really fascinating, and easy to understand! Thank you
Thank you for the feedback. I really enjoyed making this video! I’m glad you liked it and found it useful.
this was extremely helpful, thankyou! Doing the lords work
Thank you! I do my best! 🙂