The Rime of the Ancient Mariner -storyline (I-VII), explanation of Canto I & II

 

The Rime of the ancient mariner

Published in 1798 in ‘Lyrical Ballads’’ (Co-authored by William Wordsworth). The word ‘Lyrical’ stands for ‘expression of personal emotions or feelings spoken in first person’. Ballad is long narrative poem often about a single dramatic incident or story, in a form suitable for singing, simple language, repetition and regular rhyming scheme. The poem is a ballad as it fulfills the above criteria.

Inspiration of the poem- Many say it was inspired by James Cook’s second voyage, some say it was inspired by Thomas James voyage into the Arctic, Wordsworth said it was inspired by a discussion among Wordsworth, Coleridge and Wordsworth’s sister Dorothy about the description of a voyage in 1719 during which a melancholy sailor named Simon Hatley killed a black Albatross

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is one of the most significant works in English Literature for its symbolism, complex allegory, lyrical language vivid imagery, supernatural elements and dealing with complex themes.

In the given cantos, there are three speakers- 

1. The narrator of the poem, that is, the poet (It is an ancient Mariner, and he stoppeth one of three), 

2. The wedding guest (By thy long grey beard and glittering eye) 

3. The ancient Mariner (The ship was cheered, the harbour cleared)

Importance of Albatross- a bird considered an omen of good fortune by sailors.

Theme- sin and redemption, Guilt and penance, power of nature, consequences of human actions, and the supernatural. 

To listen to the audio  👉👉👉Prologue to the Rime of the Ancient mariner

What happened after Canto-II

Canto- III

During this terrible period of time in the ship’s journey, the sailors are terribly dried up. Hope comes to them when they spotted a spot on the western horizon, but due to their dehydration, no one can speak. The Mariner bites his own arm and wets his lips with his blood. They saw an approaching ship. Their joy turns to horror when they realize the ship is a ghost ship. The Mariner can see “Death” as a passenger on the ship as well as “Life-in-Death.” The two are playing dice for the crew and ‘Life in Death’ won the soul of the Mariner. The other sailors cursed the Mariner with their glance then one after the other the men dropped dead on the ship.

Canto- IV

Here the wedding guest is scared of the mariners for he assumed mariner to be a ghost. Mariner reassured the wedding guest and continued. He narrated had been miserable to be all alone without the availability of basic needs, dead albatross and the dead sailors around in the middle of the ocean.  He tried to pray but could not. Then he saw snakes in the water and he praised their beauty. On doing this, he could pray and the dead albatross fell into the water. He realized that his disrespect for the albatross (God’s creature) was the guilt and must pay penance for his abominable act.  

Canto-V

Tired mariner fell asleep and dreamt of rain and his dream came true. He collected the rain and rejuvenated himself. A storm was approaching and the dead sailors woke up to help steer the ship. Mariner was knocked and fell unconscious. On waking up, he heard two voices. The first one said that he had killed the beloved and harmless albatross that loved humans and the second one with softer voice said that he had paid his penance and had to do more in future.

Chapter- VI

The two voices continue to speak saying that the water of the ocean is the slave of the moon. A pleasant breeze blows on him. The ship moves towards his home. Having reached near the harbor, the curse from the dead sailors had been lifted and the angels of the dead spirits waved good bye to the mariner. The mariner was elated and noticed a boat with a pilot, pilot’s son and a hermit who was singing godly hymns. The mariner thought that the hermit would help him shrive (Free from guilt) and wash away the blood of albatross.  

Canto-VII

The hermit was a very wise man and lived in the woods. When the boat neared the ship of the mariner, it suddenly sank. The pilot and the hermit found the body of the mariner and thought he might have died. Mariner moved his lips and was brought to the land. He confessed his guilt to the hermit and continued to travel all over to confess his guilt whom so ever he gets. Having told his story, the mariner felt an urge to pray. He then left the wedding guest who, the next morning, woke up a sadder yet wiser man.

Why did the Mariner stop the guest?

To confess his guilt of killing the harmless albatross and by doing this, he would redeem himself to god.

Why did the guest refuse to listen?

He was impatient as he was a close relative with a shared bloodline, may be a cousin (Next of Kin) and the eatables were set on the table and assemblage of the guests was also complete.Furthermore, the mariner did not appear normal with skinny hand, bearded face and glittering eye. 

Why did the mariner choose a wedding guest?

Refer to line no. 65 and 66 (Christian Soul, God’s name). It indicates Coleridge’s faith in Christianity.  Wedding has a significance in the poem. It may refer to the First Miracle of Jesus. During a wedding in Cana of Galilee, Jesus, at Mary's request, transforms approximately 120 gallons of water into wine, the quality of which is highly praised by the ruler of the feast. Jesus chose a wedding to perform His first miracle, doubtless to emphasize the sanctity of marriage. 

How did the poet apply supernaturalism in the poem?

Coleridge used archaic words ('Rime' is the Middle English spelling of 'Rhyme', 'Ancient' refers to something older than old ) , description of the physical appearance of the mariner, hypnotism, description of night with fog, moon and the albatross, reference to shroud, silent sea, slimy creatures, witche's oil, dance of death fire etc.  

Remember:- 'Mariner' refers to a professional who navigates a ship and so, killing the albatross, which is regarded benevolent as it shows direction, by a navigator was certainly a sin and sign of imminent dangerous consequence. 

Canto-I  Explanation 👉👉👉Canto-I  

Canto-II  Explanation 👉👉👉Canto II