The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Poetry
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Samuel Taylor Coleridge
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Poem
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
By Samuel Taylor Coleridge
PART I
It is an ancient Mariner,
And he stoppeth one of three.
'By thy long grey beard and glittering eye,
Now wherefore stopp'st thou me?
The Bridegroom's doors are opened wide,
And I am next of kin;
The guests are met, the feast is set:
May'st hear the merry din.'
He holds him with his skinny hand,
'There was a ship,' quoth he.
'Hold off...
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The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Summary
Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is a Romantic poem that focuses on nature, sin, and the idea of repentance. The main character is the Ancient Mariner, who shares a strange experience from his life that teaches a deep moral lesson.
Beginning of the Poem: At the start of the poem, the Ancient Mariner stops a Wedding Guest using his “glittering eye” and forces him to listen...
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"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" Themes
Crime, Punishment, and Repentance: The Mariner’s story is about sin, punishment, and repentance. When he kills the Albatross, he sins against both nature and God. He did not value the bird’s beauty and killed it for no reason. Because of this, he faces terrible punishments — thirst, hunger, loneliness, and the death of his crew. Only when he learns to love and respect nature does his suffering end...
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"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" Characters
The Ancient Mariner: The protagonist of the poem, an old sailor who tells his story. He is cursed after killing the Albatross. He is also cursed to share his tale with others.
The Wedding Guest: A young man on his way to a wedding. He is stopped by the Ancient Mariner and compelled to listen to his story. He is transformed by the experience.
The Sailors: The unnamed crew members who accompany the...
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"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" Literary Devices
Albatross: In the poem, the Albatross is a very important symbol. The Albatross stands for the beauty and power of nature. At first, sailors think it brings good luck, especially when the wind starts blowing after it arrives. The bird seems both real and magical. The bird is a link between nature and the spirit world. When the Mariner kills the bird, it becomes a symbol of sin and also reminds peo...
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"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" Quotes
"Water, water, every where,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, every where,
Nor any drop to drink."
Explanation: This line describes the Mariner and his crew’s suffering on a vast ocean. They are surrounded by saltwater that is undrinkable. The repetition of "water" emphasizes the paradox of their situation—surrounded by water, yet unable to drink.
“He holds him with his glittering e...
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Notes
Explore 14 detailed notes related to The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.