The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Summary

Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner was first published in 1798 as part of a collection titled Lyrical Ballads, co-authored with William Wordsworth. This publication marked a pivotal moment in English literary history, as it is often associated with the beginning of the Romantic movement. The poem’s original version was presented in a ballad form, showcasing Coleridge’s innovative narrative style and thematic exploration, but it received mixed critical responses.

In 1800, Coleridge revised the poem for the second edition of Lyrical Ballads. This revision included marginal changes to the narrative, but it did not significantly alter the structure or thematic elements. The poem’s archaic language was also toned down to make it more accessible to readers.

The most significant revision occurred in 1817 when the poem was published as a standalone work titled The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, in Seven Parts in Sibylline Leaves, a collection of Coleridge’s poems. This edition included a gloss (explanatory marginal notes), which Coleridge added to clarify the allegorical aspects of the poem and guide readers in interpreting its meaning. This version is generally considered the definitive form, capturing Coleridge’s final vision for the work.

The initial reception of the poem was mixed, with some critics appreciating its imaginative qualities and others questioning its unconventional style. Over time, however, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” gained recognition as a masterpiece of Romantic literature. Its impact extended beyond literature into various forms of art and media, cementing Coleridge’s influence and ensuring the poem’s enduring presence in literary studies.

Part I

The poem begins with an old sailor, referred to as the Ancient Mariner, stopping a Wedding Guest on his way to a wedding. The guest is reluctant and tries to continue, as he is related to the bridegroom and is eager to attend the ceremony. However, the Mariner, with his “glittering eye,” captivates the Wedding Guest, forcing him to sit down and listen to his tale.

The Mariner starts recounting how his ship set sail. The journey begins happily as the crew leaves the harbor, cheered by people. The ship smoothly sails past familiar sights like the church (kirk), the hill, and the lighthouse. Everything seems normal, and the sun rises and sets as they sail further from home.

But soon, the ship encounters a violent storm, referred to as the “STORM-BLAST.” The storm is described as tyrannical and overpowering, chasing the ship southward with great force. The storm drives the ship far into the southern seas, where the sailors encounter an icy, dangerous landscape. The mist and snow make it very cold, and the ship is surrounded by enormous, towering icebergs as green as emerald. The icy sea is desolate; there are no signs of human or animal life.

Amid this dangerous situation, the crew spots an Albatross, a large seabird, coming through the fog. They greet it joyfully, as if it were a Christian soul, seeing it as a good omen. The Albatross becomes a companion of the sailors, following them every day, circling the ship for food and company. Miraculously, the ice cracks and clears, allowing the ship to navigate through the dangerous waters. The sailors believe the Albatross has brought them good fortune, as a favorable wind picks up from the south and helps push the ship along.

The Albatross continues to follow the ship, perching on the mast or the rigging, staying with them for days. However, despite the bird’s apparent help, the Ancient Mariner inexplicably shoots and kills the Albatross with his crossbow. The act shocks the Wedding Guest, and he interrupts the story to express concern for the Mariner, wondering why he would kill the bird that had brought them luck.

The first part of the poem ends with the Mariner confessing to the shocking act of killing the Albatross, setting the stage for the consequences of this sin. The sailors are about to face the repercussions of this act, which will unfold in the later parts of the poem.

This section introduces the core themes of guilt, sin, and the supernatural, with nature playing a central role in the story. The Mariner’s impulsive action of killing the Albatross marks the beginning of his trials, and the story builds tension as we wait to learn what will happen next.

Part II

The story continues after the Mariner has killed the Albatross. At first, the other sailors blame the Mariner for killing the bird, which they had believed was a good omen. They think that his reckless act will bring them bad luck. However, after the ship continues sailing without immediate trouble, the sailors change their minds. They begin to rationalize the act, believing that the Albatross must have brought the mist and fog. They decide that the Mariner did the right thing by killing it.

But soon after, their initial relief turns into despair as nature starts to turn against them. The favorable south wind that had helped them sail disappears. The ship is left stranded, unable to move, as if frozen in place on the ocean. The once clear and sunny skies turn oppressive, and the ship becomes stuck in a hot, windless expanse of sea. The sun blazes mercilessly overhead, and the sailors are tormented by thirst.

The sea, which had once seemed beautiful and awe-inspiring, now becomes nightmarish. The water around the ship turns strange, “like a witch’s oils,” and it seems to burn with unnatural colors, filled with slimy creatures. The sailors grow increasingly desperate as their water supply runs out. They are parched and helpless, suffering under the unrelenting sun.

In their growing misery, the sailors begin to blame the Mariner again for killing the Albatross. They hang the dead bird around his neck, forcing him to wear it as a symbol of his guilt. The weight of the Albatross becomes a literal and metaphorical burden for the Mariner, representing the consequences of his impulsive and senseless act. The death of the Albatross has led to the ship’s cursed fate, and the Mariner is now marked by his guilt.

Part 2 ends with the ship and its crew trapped in a grim and hopeless situation. The Mariner is isolated in his guilt, and the supernatural elements of the story begin to intensify. The punishment for his crime has begun, and the sailors’ suffering is portrayed as a direct consequence of disrupting the natural order by killing the bird.

This part deepens the poem’s themes of guilt, sin, and the consequences of human actions against nature. The Mariner’s guilt is externalized through the symbolic image of the Albatross hanging around his neck, foreshadowing the deeper trials and sufferings he will face as the poem progresses.

Part III

Part 3 of “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” begins with the ship still stuck in the lifeless, windless sea, and the crew is suffering greatly from thirst and exhaustion. The sailors are in despair, their tongues dry and swollen, and they are unable to speak. The oppressive heat and lack of water have taken a toll on their physical and mental well-being.

Suddenly, the Mariner spots something on the horizon—a mysterious shape that seems to be approaching the ship. The crew hopes it might be a sign of rescue, but as the object gets closer, it turns out to be a ghostly ship. This ship moves without any wind or waves, floating eerily across the still sea. The sight of this ship brings a sense of doom to the Mariner and the crew, as it appears unnatural and ominous.

As the ghost ship draws nearer, the Mariner sees two figures aboard it—Death and Life-in-Death. They are playing dice, seemingly gambling for the souls of the sailors. Death is depicted as a skeleton, while Life-in-Death is a ghastly, pale figure with red lips, who embodies a fate worse than death. The Mariner realizes that these supernatural beings have come to claim them.

The dice game ends, and Life-in-Death wins the Mariner, while Death claims the rest of the crew. The implication is that the Mariner is doomed to suffer a fate worse than death—he will be forced to live on and bear the weight of his guilt. As soon as Life-in-Death wins, all the sailors suddenly drop dead, one by one, without uttering a word. Their souls leave their bodies, cursing the Mariner with their final gazes.

The Mariner is now left utterly alone on the ship, surrounded by the bodies of his dead crewmates. He is trapped, both physically and emotionally, in a state of living death. The ghostly ship vanishes as mysteriously as it had appeared, and the Mariner is forced to confront the consequences of his actions in complete isolation.

This part of the poem intensifies the sense of supernatural horror and punishment. The appearance of the ghost ship and the figures of Death and Life-in-Death symbolize the Mariner’s inevitable doom and the supernatural forces at play. The crew’s sudden death emphasizes the gravity of the Mariner’s sin, while his survival represents his cursed fate—he is condemned to live and suffer for his actions. The poem continues to explore themes of guilt, penance, and the relationship between humans and nature, with the Mariner’s torment becoming increasingly unbearable.

Part IV

The Mariner’s isolation and torment continue as he is left alone on the ship with the dead bodies of his crew. The ship is still adrift in the same desolate, sun-scorched sea. The Mariner is haunted by the spectral gaze of his dead comrades, and he endures an intense psychological and emotional struggle.

As the Mariner is wracked by the heat and thirst, he begins to see visions of the spirits of the dead crew. These visions torment him, and he feels the weight of his curse more acutely. He is overwhelmed by loneliness and the sense of guilt for having brought such a fate upon his shipmates.

However, the Mariner’s situation begins to change when he notices the beauty of the natural world around him. Despite his suffering, he begins to see the sea creatures in a new light. The water snakes, which he had previously despised and regarded as vile, now appear to him as beautiful and awe-inspiring. He is struck by their grace and the majesty of nature.

In a moment of deep spiritual awakening, the Mariner blesses the water snakes. This act of appreciation for the beauty of nature represents a significant shift in his attitude. He feels a sense of reconciliation and redemption, which is symbolized by the appearance of a rainbow and the sudden change in the weather. The ship begins to move again, and the Mariner is given a glimmer of hope that he might be freed from his curse.

The Mariner’s newfound respect for nature leads to the gradual return of wind to the ship. The ship starts to sail once more, moving away from the cursed zone where it had been trapped. The Mariner’s penance seems to be coming to an end, as the ship is guided back toward familiar waters.

The part concludes with the ship approaching the land and the Mariner being visited by supernatural forces who begin to offer him a chance at redemption. The narrative reflects a turning point for the Mariner, as his attitude towards nature and his sense of guilt begin to shift. This change is crucial for the resolution of his torment and the eventual return to his home.

Part V

The Mariner experiences a profound sense of relief and renewal after his intense suffering. He awakens to find himself in a state of near-death, feeling light and almost ghost-like. The arrival of sleep, which he praises as a divine gift, brings him comfort.

He dreams that the buckets on the deck, which had long been empty, are now filled with rainwater. Upon waking, he finds that his lips are wet, and his garments are damp, suggesting that the rain had indeed come. This refreshing rain seems to symbolize the beginning of his redemption.

As the Mariner’s ship moves on, he notices a dramatic change in the weather. A fierce wind arises, and the sails flutter with renewed energy. Lightning and rain bring a new vitality to the scene. The ship, which had been stagnant, now moves forward with the help of the spirits that had once been dead.

The dead men, who had been lifeless, begin to stir and rise, though they do not speak. This eerie revival is followed by the appearance of a group of blessed spirits who, as dawn breaks, sing sweet, celestial sounds that bring peace and harmony to the ship. These sounds transform from joyful bird songs to angelic music, creating a serene atmosphere.

The ship continues to move smoothly under the influence of these benevolent spirits. As the Mariner lies in a faint, he hears two voices discussing his fate. One voice, harsh and accusing, condemns him for killing the Albatross, while the other, softer voice acknowledges the Mariner’s repentance and foretells further penance.

This section of the poem marks a crucial turning point, where the Mariner’s suffering starts to subside, and he begins to feel a sense of spiritual renewal and hope.

Part VI

The Mariner experiences a dramatic shift in his journey. As he wakes from a trance, he sees that the ship is moving smoothly through the water, propelled by a mysterious force despite the calm sea and still air. Two voices in the air discuss the ship’s swift progress and the guiding influence of the moon.

The Mariner notices that the dead crewmen are still standing on the deck, their stony eyes fixed on him. The curse they carry has not faded, and their gaze is both haunting and paralyzing. Despite the eerie situation, a gentle wind begins to blow, raising the Mariner’s hair and mixing with his fears in a strangely comforting way.

The ship sails swiftly yet softly, and the Mariner is filled with hope as he recognizes landmarks that indicate he is approaching home. He prays earnestly, torn between the desire to stay in this dream-like state and the wish to awaken to reality. As they drift into the harbor, the bay is illuminated by moonlight, making it appear serene and welcoming.

However, the Mariner is shocked to see that every crew member is lifeless and flat on the deck. Miraculously, angelic beings, resembling seraphs, stand on each corpse, waving their hands as if guiding the ship. This vision fills the Mariner’s heart with a profound sense of peace, despite the somber sight of the dead crew.

Soon, he hears the sound of oars and the Pilot’s cheer, indicating that help is near. He sees a boat approaching with the Pilot, his boy, and the Hermit—who is known for his pious nature. The appearance of the Hermit is particularly significant, as the Mariner believes he will provide absolution for his sins and cleanse him of the Albatross’s curse.

This part of the poem highlights a turning point in the Mariner’s journey, as he begins to see signs of redemption and hope after his long period of suffering. The arrival of the Hermit symbolizes a potential end to the Mariner’s penance and a chance for spiritual renewal.

Part VII

In Part VII of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, the story reaches its conclusion as the Mariner’s penance is fulfilled and he finds himself in his homeland.

The Arrival and the Hermit’s Response:

The Mariner’s ship is approached by a small boat carrying the Hermit, the Pilot, and the Pilot’s boy. The Hermit, known for his piety and love for mariners, is intrigued by the sight of the ship, which appears ghostly and weathered. The Pilot is fearful, remarking on the ship’s eerie appearance.

The Ship’s Downfall:

As the boat draws nearer, a terrifying noise erupts from beneath the ship, causing it to sink like lead. The Mariner is thrown into the sea but is quickly rescued and finds himself in the Pilot’s boat.

The Mariner’s Return and Confession:

The Mariner, now on solid land, is overwhelmed with relief. He begs the Hermit for absolution. His body is wracked with agony, compelling him to tell his tale. Once he starts recounting his story, the agony leaves him, but he remains bound to tell his tale to those who are fated to hear it.

The Moral and Farewell:

The Mariner expresses that he has the power to recognize those who need to hear his story and imparts a moral lesson: he who loves all creatures, both great and small, prays best. This is his way of serving penance and finding redemption.

The Wedding-Guest’s Transformation:

The Wedding-Guest, who has been listening to the Mariner’s tale, leaves the wedding feast profoundly changed. He is a sadder and wiser man, reflecting on the Mariner’s story as he goes on his way.