It was a miracle of rare device, / A sunny pleasure-dome with caves of ice; explain the lines from Kubla Khan by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

It was a miracle of rare device, / A sunny pleasure-dome with caves of ice; explain the lines from Kubla Khan by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The line "It was a miracle of rare device, / A sunny pleasure-dome with caves of ice" is from Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem "Kubla Khan." The line describes the palace that Kubla Khan commanded to be built in the poem. The palace is described as a "miracle of rare device," suggesting that it is an extraordinary and remarkable creation. The use of the word "miracle" emphasizes the palace's grandeur and beauty and suggests that it was created through a supernatural or divine force.

The palace is also described as a "sunny pleasure dome with caves of ice." The contrast between the "sunny" and the "caves of ice" creates a sense of duality or contradiction, suggesting that the palace is a complex and multi-faceted creation. The use of the word "sunny" creates a sense of warmth and light, while the "caves of ice" suggest a cool and dark environment.

The line is a good example of Coleridge's Romantic style, which often uses vivid and imaginative language to create powerful sensory and emotional effects. In this case, the line creates a sense of awe and wonder, with the palace appearing as an extraordinary and beautiful creation. The contrast between the "sunny" and the "caves of ice" adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue and suggests that the palace is a complex and multi-layered creation. The line "It was a miracle of rare device, / A sunny pleasure-dome with caves of ice" is an important moment in "Kubla Khan," contributing to the overall mood and atmosphere of the poem.