Coleridge and Shelley - Imagination and Narrative Voice

1) Imagination is celebrated in Coleridge’s poem “Kubla Khan”. From the very start of the poem Coleridge is very descriptive in the surroundings and actions taking place in the poem. Coleridge, in my opinion, is writing for the reader’s imagination. I enjoyed this poem because it was so easy for me to picture the entire poem as a visual in my head.

2) In Shelley’s poem “Ozymandias” I hear three speakers, the narrator; the traveler; and Ozymandias. I as a listener consider Ozymandias writing on the pedestal as him speaking because it is his words. After rereading the poem the voice of the traveler tells me that all that remains of the statue of Ozymandias is his legs. The voice of the narrator tells me that the ruins of the statue are a very depressing scene. Also the words on the pedestal tell me that Ozymandias was a very powerful man and a great leader.