“The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” is a narrative poem written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1798. The poem is considered a masterpiece of Romantic literature and is known for its haunting themes, vivid imagery, and supernatural elements. It tells the story of an ancient mariner who commits a terrible crime against nature and is cursed to wander the earth, telling his tale to anyone who will listen.
Plot Summary
The poem begins with a group of wedding guests on their way to a celebration. They are stopped by an ancient mariner, who insists on telling them his tale. He recounts how he and his crew set sail on a ship, but soon encountered a terrible storm that pushed them off course. They found themselves in the icy waters of the Antarctic, where they encountered an albatross. The mariner, without reason or provocation, shoots the bird with his crossbow.
After killing the albatross, the ship becomes becalmed and is stuck in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by water but unable to drink any of it. The crew turns on the mariner, blaming him for their misfortune and forcing him to wear the dead bird around his neck as a punishment. The ship is eventually visited by a supernatural force, causing the crew to drop dead one by one, leaving only the mariner alive.
The mariner continues to wander the earth, telling his tale to anyone who will listen. He is cursed to feel a burning thirst but is unable to drink any water until he has shared his story with someone who understands its meaning. Only then is he released from his curse and allowed to die.
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Characters
The Ancient Mariner is the protagonist and narrator of the poem. He is a sailor who has committed a terrible crime against nature and is cursed to wander the earth, telling his tale to anyone who will listen.
The Wedding Guest is the primary audience for the Mariner’s tale. He is initially reluctant to listen, but becomes enthralled by the Mariner’s story and its moral lesson.
The Albatross is a symbol of nature and innocence that the Mariner kills without reason or provocation.
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Themes
One of the main themes of the poem is the relationship between man and nature. The Mariner’s killing of the albatross represents a violation of nature and an act of senseless violence. The curse that befalls the Mariner and his crew is a punishment for this crime against nature.
Another theme is the supernatural and the unknown. The poem is filled with supernatural elements, including the ghost ship and the supernatural force that kills the crew. These elements create a sense of mystery and unease, adding to the poem’s haunting atmosphere.
Writing Style
Coleridge’s writing style in “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” is characterized by its vivid imagery, supernatural elements, and use of symbolism. The poem is written in a ballad form, with a repetitive structure that creates a sense of rhythm and music. Coleridge also uses archaic language and poetic devices such as alliteration and rhyme to create a sense of timelessness and otherworldliness.
Conclusion
“The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” is a haunting and powerful poem that explores the relationship between man and nature, the supernatural, and the unknown. Coleridge’s use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and supernatural elements creates a sense of mystery and unease that lingers long after the poem has ended. It is a masterpiece of Romantic literature and a testament to Coleridge’s skill as a poet.