Explanations of The Rime of The Ancient Mariner

i)                    At length ……God’s name. 

The above lines are taken from the poem named “The Ancient Mariner”, written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, which is one of the greatest and famous poems in English Literature. Here the poet tells us through the narration of the ancient mariner to one of the wedding guest that how the mariner and his companions are felt when the Albatross come in their miserable weather.

The ship of the mariner is reached in polar region where there is a lot of mist. The weather is very cold because there is ice on all sides. The icebergs are as tall as the mast of the ship. The icebergs are cracking and fierce sounds are produced. At last an Albatross come through the mist. The mariner and his companions heartily welcome the Albatross as if it is a human being with divine association. The Albatross brings good luck for the mariner.

In Christianity it is believed that Albatross brings good fortune for the sailors. For this reason, in their miserable day the sailor has welcomed the bird heartily. 

ii)                  Nor dim nor red……fog and mist.

The above lines are taken from the poem named “The Ancient Mariner”, written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, which is one of the greatest and famous poems in English Literature.  Here the poet tells us through the narration of the ancient mariner to one of the wedding guest that when the fog cleared and brilliant sunshine appeared then the sailors do believe that the Albatross brings fog and mist for them, which depicts the selfishness of the sailors. 

The Albatross, which brings good luck for them, is cruelly slain by the ancient mariner. At first his companions have rebuked him. But later when glorious sun has appeared, they change their opinion and support ancient mariner for killing the bird which has brought fog and mists for them. The attitude of the sailor towards the crime is merely selfish and not based on moral principles. They judge the crime not based on merit rather by the result it has on them. Thus, the sailors bring their upcoming miseries. 

In this poem, Coleridge points out that by justifying the action of the ancient mariner, the other sailor make themselves accomplices in the crime.

iii)                The very deep…..slimy sea.

The above lines are taken from the poem named “The Ancient Mariner”, written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, which is one of the greatest and famous poems in English Literature.  Here the poet gives us the description of the current rottenness around the motionless ship given by the mariner.

After the death of the Albatross, the miserable days of the sailors are started. In this stanza the poet shows us that the situation is so terrible that even the sea seem to have become rotten. There is dirt all around. In the mud of the sea, dirty creatures are crawling on. Here, Coleridge also exercises his supernatural element. The poetic exaggeration conveys the horror of the situation.

Through this horrible situation Coleridge tries to depict that if someone do injustice with nature then he should obviously pay back for his misdeeds. 

iv)                The many men…..so did I.

The above lines are taken from the poem named “The Ancient Mariner”, written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, which is one of the greatest and famous poems in English Literature. Here the ancient mariner describes his condition after the death of his two hundred companions.

After the death of the other sailors the mariner is left alone on the sea. Even a saint of heaven whom he calls up does not come for his help. The only living creatures are the ugly sea animals living in the mud. Like them, the ancient mariner, too is living. His looks upon himself not as a man, the beautiful creation of God, but as an ugly, slimy thing.

Through these lines the poet describes that the mariner’s sense of loneliness is the punishment for his want of sympathy with his poor fellow creatures.

v)                  The selfsame……into the sea.

The above lines are taken from the poem named “The Ancient Mariner”, written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, which is one of the greatest and famous poems in English Literature. Here the poet depicts that as the ancient mariner regains the power to pray, all his miseries have broken down.

As soon as the mariner is able to appreciate the beauty of the creatures of God and feel love for them he gets pity from God. It is possible for him to pray. The curse begins to lose its effect. The very moment he is able to pray, the Albatross falls of quite freely from his neck. It sinks into the sea like lead or heavy burden. 

Through these lines Coleridge tries to describe that if someone shows sympathy with the element of nature then the nature will also spread its blessings upon him.