The term "willing suspension of disbelief" was introduced by S. T. Coleridge (1772-1834) himself in his book Biographia Literaria in 1817. It refers to the idea that readers willingly accept the fantastical elements of a story as true for the sake of enjoyment. In other words, readers set aside their doubts about whether something is realistic or possible and let themselves get immersed in the story.

In “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” (1798), Coleridge uses this concept to make his supernatural and imaginative poem believable and captivating. The poem is filled with magical and otherworldly elements. Coleridge uses several techniques to achieve this "willing suspension of disbelief."

The Frame Narrative: The poem begins with a real-world setting: the Mariner stops a Wedding Guest to tell him his story. The Wedding Guest is a relatable character who reacts to the Mariner’s tale with fear, disbelief, and curiosity, just as the reader might. This framing makes the story feel grounded, as if it is happening in a world we recognize. As the Mariner’s supernatural story unfolds, readers are more likely to accept it—because it is presented as a personal confession.

Vivid Imagery/Descriptions: Coleridge uses vivid imagery to bring the story to life. For example, when describing the icebergs in the Antarctic, he writes:

"And ice, mast-high, came floating by,

As green as emerald."

Universal Themes: The poem explores universal themes like sin, guilt, redemption/salvation, and the connection between humans and nature. These universal themes make the story even more believable, even though it is full of supernatural elements. The Mariner kills the Albatross which is a bird of good omen and a God’s creature. For this sin, he is immediately punished by God. His salvation begins when he starts to appreciate the beauty of nature, slimy water snakes. Ultimately, the Mariner realizes that a religious/pious person loves all of God’s creatures, no matter how big or small:

“He prayeth best, who loveth best

All things both great and small;”

Symbolism: Coleridge uses symbols, such as the Albatross, to connect the fantastical events to deeper meanings. The Albatross, for instance, symbolizes innocence and the bond between humans and nature. Again, Coleridge connects the Albatross with the supernature, as the bird was sent by a spirit. So, Albatross represents both nature and supernature. This symbol makes the supernatural events feel significant and connected to real-life ideas.

Blending the Natural and Supernatural: Coleridge masterfully combines elements of the natural world with the supernatural. For instance, the storm that drives the ship into the icy Antarctic feels real and dangerous. The Mariner describes:

“And now the STORM-BLAST came,...

And chased us south along.”

The Mariner’s Character: The Mariner’s vivid descriptions of his suffering and guilt make him feel like a real person. His emotions, such as his fear, remorse, and eventual redemption, are deeply human and relatable. Readers can empathize with him—even when he describes strange events like the crew’s souls leaving their bodies.

To wrap up, Coleridge achieves the "willing suspension of disbelief" in his poem by mingling nature with supernatural elements. He also uses a framed structure, vivid imagery, universal themes, and symbolism effectively to achieve his target. Readers are drawn into the Mariner’s tale because it feels both magical and meaningful.