# A Voluptuary explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## 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.

## Themes 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/a-voluptuary
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters