Poetry · Chapter
A Voluptuary explained
The narrator addresses a figure of luxury and indulgence, a master of revels in a pleasure-dome by the sea, who keeps a poet to chronicle his hedonistic nights.
What happens
The narrator addresses a figure of luxury and indulgence, a master of revels in a pleasure-dome by the sea, who keeps a poet to chronicle his hedonistic nights. The speaker expresses a desire to join the revels, claiming discretion.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the speaker’s obsessive pursuit of the divine rose fragrance…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Nature and Artifice
The pleasure-dome by the sea and the mingling of orange blossoms with spicy tales highlight the blend of natural beauty and artificial, sensual indulgence.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
The speaker who addresses the voluptuary and offers to join the revels.
- The Master
The voluptuary, master of the pleasure-dome and revels, addressed as 'Sir' and 'Master of the Revels'.
Key passages
“Fresh from 'the palms and temples of the South,' The mixed aromas quarrel in his mouth: Of orange blossoms this the lingering gale, And that the odor of a spicy tale.”
The voluptuary arrives from the South, his breath carrying conflicting scents of orange blossoms and a spicy story.
Describes the sensory richness and moral ambiguity of the character.
“Sir, in thy pleasure-dome down by the sea (No finer one did Kubla Khan decree) Where, Master of the Revels, thou dost stand With joys and mysteries on either hand, Dost keep a poet to report the rites And sing the tale of those Elysian nights?”
Do you, as master of ceremonies in your seaside pleasure palace, employ a poet to document and celebrate your hedonistic evenings?
Directly questions the voluptuary about his lifestyle and its chronicling.
