Exploring Themes and Narration in "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner"

Name: Period: Date: “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” (Samuel Taylor Coleridge) Context Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” is written in a dreamlike language, set in an indeterminate past, and filled with supernatural events—all part of the British tradition of fantasy literature. Fantasy writers use strange settings and supernatural tales to break the spell of ordinary life. By plunging us into a wild, unfamiliar world, they remind us that human imagination can always envision worlds beyond the one into which we are born—a power that enables scientific discoveries and social reforms as well as great poetry. Consider the tale on two levels: the surface level of the adventure tale or ghost story & the symbolic/thematic level as a story of sin and redemption, almost allegorical. Basic Comprehension Questions to Consider Part I 1. According to Part I, what accounts for the Mariner’s power over the Wedding Guest? The Mariner's mesmerizing storytelling power accounts for his hold over the Wedding Guest 2. Where does the Mariner encounter the Albatross? The Mariner encounters the Albatross in the Antarctic waters 3. What change occurs when the Albatross appears? When the Albatross appears, a change in fortune occurs for the sailors, as the ice around them begins to break, allowing their ship to move freely 4. What does the Mariner do at the end of Part I? Why? At the end of Part I, the Mariner kills the Albatross with his crossbow, an act he later regrets, attributing it to a moment of impulse and lack of foresight Part II 5. How do the other sailors initially react to the Mariner’s deed? What changes their minds? Initially, the other sailors react with anger and condemnation towards the Mariner's deed of killing the Albatross. However, their minds change when they perceive a positive change in weather and interpret it as a sign of the bird's approval of the Mariner's actions 6. According to Part II, what consequences—both for the crew and for the Mariner—result from the Mariner’s act? The consequences for the crew include being stranded in the sea, surrounded by calm waters with no wind to propel their ship. For the Mariner, the consequences involve guilt and a sense of isolation, as he realizes the gravity of his action and the curse it brings upon him Part III 7. Who are the occupants of the strange ship that appears? The occupants of the strange ship that appears are Death and Life-in-Death 8. What is the eventual outcome of the dice game between these occupants? The eventual outcome of the dice game between Death and Life-in-Death is that Death wins the lives of the crew members, while Life-in-Death claims the Mariner's life Part IV 9. Explain the Wedding Guest’s fear at the opening of Part IV. The Wedding Guest fears the Mariner's "skinny hand" because he is captivated and somewhat disturbed by the Mariner's intense gaze and the urgency in his storytelling 10. How and why does the Mariner’s view of the sea creatures change in Part IV? In Part IV, the Mariner's view of the sea creatures changes from one of fear and repulsion to a realization of their beauty and divine significance. This change occurs as a result of his penitence and newfound appreciation for all living beings 11. How does the Mariner break the spell he is under? The Mariner breaks the spell he is under by blessing the sea creatures, acknowledging their beauty and interconnectedness with the divine Part V 12. Who serves as the crew of the ship on this leg of its journey? The crew of the ship on this leg of its journey is composed of ghostly spirits, brought to life by the curse placed upon the Mariner 13. What do the “Two voices in the air” (lines 386-409) suggest will happen to the Mariner? The "Two voices in the air" suggest that the Mariner will be condemned to wander the seas, telling his tale to various individuals as a form of penance Part VI 14. What happens after the Mariner comes out of his trance? Name: Period: Date: After coming out of his trance, the Mariner is compelled to tell his tale to others as a form of penance and to seek redemption 15. Note how the angelic spirits leave the dead bodies. The angelic spirits leave the dead bodies by gently lifting them and carrying them away, signifying a release from earthly suffering and an ascension to a higher realm 16. What service does the Mariner hope the Hermit will do for him? The Mariner hopes that the Hermit will absolve him of his sins and provide spiritual guidance Part VII 17. How do the Hermit, Pilot, and the Pilot’s boy react to the Mariner and the sight of his ship? The Hermit, Pilot, and the Pilot’s boy react with awe and wonder at the sight of the Mariner's ship and the miraculous circumstances surrounding his return 18. What is the Mariner’s lifelong penance? The Mariner's lifelong penance is to wander the earth, telling his tale to anyone who will listen, as a means of seeking redemption 19. With what strange power is the Mariner endowed? The Mariner is endowed with a strange power to compel others to listen to his tale and reflect on its moral significance 20. What effect does the Mariner’s tale have on the Wedding Guest? The Mariner's tale deeply affects the Wedding Guest, causing him to reflect on the Mariner's experiences and the moral lessons contained within the story Interpretive/Analytic Questions to Ponder 21. What is the significance of the wedding as the setting for the tale-telling? The significance of the wedding as the setting for the tale-telling lies in its contrast with the supernatural and moral themes of the story. The wedding symbolizes joy and celebration, highlighting the stark contrast between ordinary life and the extraordinary events recounted by the Mariner 22. What does the Albatross symbolize? Consider multiple possibilities, noting the shifts throughout the poem. The Albatross symbolizes various concepts throughout the poem, including nature's beauty and grace, the interconnectedness of all living beings, and the consequences of human actions on the natural world. Initially, it represents good fortune and divine favor, but its killing by the Mariner leads to a shift in its symbolism towards guilt, isolation, and the burden of sin 23. What is the most vivid, fearful, or powerful image in the poem? What makes it so effective? One of the most powerful images in the poem is the description of the Mariner's ship being surrounded by "water, water, everywhere, / Nor any drop to drink." This image effectively conveys the desolation and despair of being stranded at sea, emphasizing the Mariner's isolation and the harshness of his punishment 24. Why is the Hermit a perfect confessor for the Mariner? The Hermit serves as a perfect confessor for the Mariner because of his role as a holy man, capable of offering spiritual guidance and absolution. His secluded and contemplative lifestyle also mirrors the Mariner's newfound state of isolation and penance 25. How does this lyrical ballad reflect the ideals of the Romantics? This lyrical ballad reflects the ideals of the Romantics through its emphasis on the power of imagination, the beauty of nature, and the exploration of supernatural and metaphysical themes. Additionally, the Mariner's journey of sin, repentance, and redemption aligns with Romantic notions of individual experience and spiritual growth 26. Robert Penn Warren has explained that “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” is in part a statement about sin, punishment, repentance, and redemption: “The Mariner shoots the bird; suffers various pains, the greatest of which is loneliness and spiritual anguish; upon recognizing the beauty of the foul sea snakes experiences a gush of love for them and is able to pray; is returned miraculously to his home port, where he discovers the joy of human communion in God, and utters the moral, ‘He prayeth best, who loveth best....’” What evidence can you point to that supports Warren’s assertion concerning the Mariner’s greatest pain? The Mariner's greatest pain is not physical but spiritual, manifested in his overwhelming sense of guilt, loneliness, and existential anguish. This pain drives him to seek redemption and ultimately leads to his spiritual transformation and reconciliation with God 27. Why did Mary Shelley choose to allude to “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” in Frankenstein? Specifically address the similarities in setting and character(s). Mary Shelley likely chose to allude to "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" in Frankenstein to emphasize themes of guilt, punishment, and redemption, which are central to both works. Additionally, the eerie and supernatural elements of Coleridge's poem resonate with the Gothic atmosphere of Shelley's novel, highlighting the timeless nature of these thematic concerns across different literary works Name: Period: Date: BIG QUESTIONS to answer on a separate sheet of paper! Please answer the following questions using exactly enough writing as necessary to answer the question thoroughly and thoughtfully, but do not write to excess! 1. Consider the speaker and the tale. Who tells the tale? What significance does the nature of the tale's audience have? In the early sections of the poem, what is the nature of the description? Is it naturalistic? eerie? How is the albatross described? The tale is narrated by the Ancient Mariner himself, recounting his harrowing experiences to the Wedding Guest. The significance of the Wedding Guest as the audience lies in his initial skepticism and reluctance to listen, representing the ordinary, rational mindset of society. However, as the Mariner's tale unfolds, the Wedding Guest becomes entranced, symbolizing the transformative power of storytelling to captivate and enlighten even the most skeptical minds. In the early sections of the poem, the description is eerie, evoking a sense of foreboding and supernatural mystery. The Albatross is initially described as a majestic and benevolent creature, symbolizing nature's grace and favor 2. Why does the mariner shoot the albatross? Is his act premeditated? Is it caused in any way? The Mariner shoots the Albatross impulsively, without premeditation. His act is influenced by a combination of factors, including superstition, boredom, and a desire to assert dominance over nature. The Mariner's action is not caused by any rational motive but rather by a momentary lapse in judgment and a disregard for the consequences of his actions 3. What is the role of religion in the mariner's thoughts and actions? How does the mariner's character affect the way he tells the tale? Do the cause-effect relationships within the poem indicate a rational, moral universe? How is the mariner's fate decided? Religion plays a significant role in the Mariner's thoughts and actions, as he grapples with feelings of guilt, repentance, and redemption throughout the tale. The Mariner's character affects the way he tells the tale, as he seeks to impart a moral lesson and warn others against the dangers of hubris and disrespect for nature. The cause-effect relationships within the poem do not necessarily indicate a rational, moral universe but rather a universe governed by supernatural forces and divine justice. The Mariner's fate is ultimately decided by these higher powers, as he is condemned to wander the seas, seeking redemption through the telling of his tale 4. How reliable is the narrator of the tale? How many times have you read and heard this tale? Does this repetition aid in the impact of the poem? Is the mariner still under a spell at the end of the poem? Are we, his auditors, also? The reliability of the narrator is questionable, as he is a deeply flawed and unreliable character who experiences hallucinations and visions. However, the repetition of the tale aids in the impact of the poem by reinforcing its central themes and allowing readers to uncover deeper layers of meaning with each reading. At the end of the poem, the Mariner is still under a spell of sorts, compelled to tell his tale for eternity as a form of penance. As auditors, we are also drawn into the Mariner's spell, experiencing his journey of guilt, repentance, and redemption alongside him 5. Look at the relationship between confession, dead men, and guilt. What is the dynamic here? The relationship between confession, dead men, and guilt is complex and multifaceted. Confession serves as a cathartic release for the Mariner, allowing him to unburden himself of his guilt and seek redemption. The presence of dead men throughout the tale serves as a reminder of the consequences of the Mariner's actions and the weight of his guilt. Guilt motivates the Mariner to confess his sins and seek forgiveness, driving the narrative forward and shaping the Mariner's character arc. Overall, the dynamic between confession, dead men, and guilt highlights the transformative power of redemption and the human capacity for moral growth and spiritual renewal