MAN AND NATURE "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Samuel Taylor
Coleridge
"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" is a narrative poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, first
published in 1798 as part of the collection "Lyrical Ballads," which he co-authored with
William Wordsworth. The poem is a seminal work in the Romantic literary movement, known
for its emphasis on emotion, nature, and the sublime.
Plot Summary
The poem tells the story of an old mariner who stops a wedding guest to recount his tale of a
harrowing sea voyage. The mariner describes how his ship sailed into the Antarctic, where
he impulsively kills an albatross, a bird considered to bring good luck. This act brings a curse
upon the ship and its crew, leading to a series of supernatural events and extreme suffering.
The mariner is ultimately redeemed through penance and a newfound reverence for all living
things.
Man and Nature
1. Interconnectedness of All Life:
● The mariner's arbitrary killing of the albatross symbolizes a violation of the natural
order. The albatross is initially seen as a good omen, guiding the ship through fog
and ice. Its death brings disaster, illustrating the idea that all life is interconnected
and that harming one part of the natural world can have widespread repercussions.
2. Nature as a Powerful and Mysterious Force:
● The poem portrays nature as both beautiful and terrifying, capable of great
benevolence and great wrath. The sea, weather, and supernatural elements in the
poem underscore nature's power and mystery. The ship’s encounter with the Polar
Spirit and the "slimy things" in the ocean exemplify nature's dual capacity for wonder
and horror.
3. Consequences of Disrespecting Nature:
● The mariner's punishment—first the death of his crewmates, then his own lingering
life of guilt and penance—serves as a stark warning about the consequences of
disrespecting nature. The suffering that follows the killing of the albatross highlights
the idea that humans are accountable for their actions against the natural world.
4. Redemption Through Nature:
● The mariner's eventual redemption comes when he learns to appreciate and love all
living things. This moment of epiphany occurs when he admires the beauty of the
water-snakes, leading to the lifting of the curse. It suggests that respect for and
harmony with nature are paths to spiritual and moral redemption.
