Coleridges Kubla Khan and the Process of Creativity Essay -- Coleridg

Coleridge's Kubla Khan and the Process of Creativity Coleridge's " Kubla Khan" is an extremely enchanting poem which is based around the 'stately pleasure dome' of the emperor, Kubla Khan. Although the poem is set around this pleasure dome, it can be noticed that the poem had profound depth to it. If one is able to understand the hidden symbols and meanings within the poem, it becomes clear that Coleridge's " Kubloa Khan" does not simply describe a pleasure dome, it is also a prolonged metaphore for the process of creativity. From the immediate start of the poem, the reader finds themselves subjected to interprete these hidden symbols. ' In Xanadu did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure dome decree; Where Alph, the sacred river ran' Although this passage seems straight forward, it contains the essential first three symbols of which the entire poem is based upon. ' Xanadu' symbolises the poet's mind, as Xanadu like the mind is the site where all the forecoming events take place. Kubla Khan actually exsisted in real life as the sole ruler of an Asian empire and had an extreme amount of power. This is why perhaps, Coleridge chose Kubla Khan to represent the poet, ( himself). This would not have been an extraordinary choice for Coleridge to make, as he belonged to a group of poets called the Romantics who believed that they could see things clearer and feel emotions and experiences more intensely than other people. Kubla Khan's power over his empire of Xanadu would therefore represent the poet's power and control over his mind. The sacred river, 'Alph' symbolises the poet's imagination. This symbol is exceptionally significant as the poem follows the path of the flowing river and therefore enables the read... ...d off by inspiration. The process is amazingly powerful and both mentally and physically tiring and it's results, like the pleasure dome of Xanadu are remarkable. Coleridge uses many clever techniques such as alliteration, methaphores, onamatapeia, comparisons and hidden symbols to emphasise the impact and intensity of the process of creativity. Coleridge also structures his poem to suit the style of his poem. The first stanza, gives an insight in to what it to come and what can be acheived by the process of creativity and acts as a sort of introduction for the process. The second stanza is extremely detailed and lively and shows the actual process of creativity. The third stanza almost defends Coleridge's work and ends the poem with the message that no-one could ever understand let alone feel the Coleridge's experiences in the way that he can and does.