Changes

Down to a sunless sea.}}

Down to a sunless sea.}}

The poem begins in [[iamb|iambic]] [[poetic meter|tetrameter]], before "escalating" to [[iambic pentameter]].  Coleridge describes the "Dome of Pleasure" in iambic pentameter for some time, before the poem resumes in tetrameter, following this stanza:

The poem begins in [[iamb]]ic [[poetic meter|tetrameter]], before "escalating" to [[iambic pentameter]].  Coleridge describes the "Dome of Pleasure" in iambic pentameter for some time, before the poem resumes in tetrameter, following this stanza:

{{cquote|The shadow of the dome of pleasure<br/>

{{cquote|The shadow of the dome of pleasure<br/>

==Alternate Explanation==

==Alternate Explanation==

Coleridge, who often used opium<ref>http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/coleridg.htm</ref>, said that he conceived of the poem and a good deal of its structure in an opium dream.  When he awoke, he realized that he had composed some 500+ lines of poetry!  He rushed to write it down, but claims that, while he was writing it, he was interrupted by "a person on business from Porlock." When he got back to his work, he was horrified to find that all the beautiful lines he had in his head were now completely forgotten.  This "explanation" is Coleridge's attempt of giving a mythical explanation to the tetrameter-pentameter-tetrameter structure of the poem: the pentameter section (being more complicated) was inspired by his opium dream, while the sections in tetrameter were his attempts to frame and recall the dream.

Coleridge, who often used opium,<ref>http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/coleridg.htm</ref> said that he conceived of the poem and a good deal of its structure in an opium dream.  When he awoke, he realized that he had composed some 500+ lines of poetry!  He rushed to write it down, but claims that, while he was writing it, he was interrupted by "a person on business from Porlock." When he got back to his work, he was horrified to find that all the beautiful lines he had in his head were now completely forgotten.  This "explanation" is Coleridge's attempt of giving a mythical explanation to the tetrameter-pentameter-tetrameter structure of the poem: the pentameter section (being more complicated) was inspired by his opium dream, while the sections in tetrameter were his attempts to frame and recall the dream.

This explanation ought to be disfavored, as it is likely Coleridge's attempt to ironically, cynically, and controversially link creativity with [[drug abuse]].  Coleridge was renowned for his sardonic wit, and this is but one more example.

This explanation ought to be disfavored, as it is likely Coleridge's attempt to ironically, cynically, and controversially link creativity with [[drug abuse]].  Coleridge was renowned for his sardonic wit, and this is but one more example.

==External links==

==External links==