THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER Meaning and
Definition
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"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" is a narrative poem written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, first published in 1798. The poem explores various themes such as guilt, redemption, and the supernatural, and is known for its vivid and imaginative descriptions.
In the dictionary, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" would be defined as an epic poem that tells the harrowing tale of a mariner who embarks on a perilous sea journey. The mariner narrates his story to a wedding guest, recounting how his ship was caught in a nightmarish storm in the Antarctic, where they encounter a ghostly ship crewed by Death and Life-in-Death. After killing an albatross, a bird that is considered an omen of good luck among sailors, the mariner and his crew are cursed, leading to their horrific deaths one by one. The mariner is left alive to wander the earth, carrying the weight of his guilt and seeking redemption.
The poem is characterized by its use of vivid imagery, supernatural elements, and a complex narrative structure. It explores the idea of the natural world as a reflection of humanity's interconnectedness, underscoring the consequences of human actions on both the physical and spiritual realms. The poem's themes and striking imagery have made it an enduring and influential piece of literature, often studied for its moral and philosophical implications.
