Question

How do these lines from Kyndra Khan by Samuel Taylor Coleridge affect the overall tone of the poem?

Answer 1

In "Kubla Khan," Coleridge describes the creation and destruction of Kubla Khan's palace in the exotic location of Xanadu, which gives the poem a dreamlike quality. Through the historical character of Kubla Khan, Coleridge uses the wild image of the Mongols to suggest that Kubla Khan is insane, implying that all creative actions are the acts of mad men.

The last lines bring the poem to a climatic close. Flashing eyes evoke the image of passionate creativity. By talking about "holy dread," Coleridge suggests that creation is both sacred and demonic.

Hope that helps :)

Answer 2

According to a different source, these are the lines that the question refers to:

His flashing eyes, his floating hair!

Weave a circle round him thrice,

And close your eyes with holy dread

For he on honey-dew hath fed,

And drunk the milk of Paradise.

In these final lines of the poem "Kubla Khan," Coleridge describes Kubla Khan, as well as his character. The description suggests that Kubla Khan was a mad man. He is described as having flashing eyes and floating hair. This wild image is intended to suggest that all creative actions are the acts of insane people. Moreover, with such a description, the author brings the poem to a dramatic and intense conclusion.