rime of the ancient mariner by samuel taylor coleridge by samuel taylor coleridge

RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER

RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER

BySamuel Taylor Coleridge

BySamuel Taylor Coleridge

Parts 1-3: Question #1Parts 1-3: Question #1

What is the effect of the contrast between the Mariner’s appearance and the wedding feast that is described in lines 7-8?

What is the effect of the contrast between the Mariner’s appearance and the wedding feast that is described in lines 7-8?

ANSWERANSWER

The contrast makes the sailor seem even more out of place.

It also increases the tension of the poem.

The contrast makes the sailor seem even more out of place.

It also increases the tension of the poem.

Question #2Question #2

How do the two characters compare in lines 9-16?

How do the two characters compare in lines 9-16?

ANSWERANSWER

Mariner: much older and stronger of will

Wedding Guest: is easily swayed and conventional

Mariner: much older and stronger of will

Wedding Guest: is easily swayed and conventional


What does the imagery of lines 22-24 describe?

What does the imagery of lines 22-24 describe?

ANSWERANSWER

The ship’s departure.

The ship seems to “drop” below the structures because of the curvature of the earth’s surface.

The ship’s departure.

The ship seems to “drop” below the structures because of the curvature of the earth’s surface.


In what direction does the information in lines 25-28 tell you the ship is traveling?

In what direction does the information in lines 25-28 tell you the ship is traveling?

ANSWERANSWER

South;

The sun rises in the east, which is on the ship’s left side.

South;

The sun rises in the east, which is on the ship’s left side.


What is the effect of the interruption and return to the wedding feast scene in lines 31-36?

What is the effect of the interruption and return to the wedding feast scene in lines 31-36?

ANSWERANSWER

The interruption creates Suspense.

The joy of the celebration contrasts with the somber tone of the Mariner’s tale.

The interruption creates Suspense.

The joy of the celebration contrasts with the somber tone of the Mariner’s tale.


Why do you think the basic stanza form changes in lines 45-50?

Why do you think the basic stanza form changes in lines 45-50?

ANSWERANSWER

The extra lines prolong the suspense of the ship’s flight before the storm.

The extra lines prolong the suspense of the ship’s flight before the storm.

Further NotationFurther Notation At the time Coleridge wrote this poem,

sailors were still subjected to barely edible food, exhausting labor, pitiful living conditions, and countless dangers.

Among the dangers were disease and shipwreck, but oterh dangers were support for tales of the supernatural.

The threat of cannibalism, though exaggerated, was real--if not from the natives of exotic lands then from one’s shipmates if the ship wrecked or ran out of food.

Coleridge had never been to sea when the poem was written.

At the time Coleridge wrote this poem, sailors were still subjected to barely edible food, exhausting labor, pitiful living conditions, and countless dangers.

Among the dangers were disease and shipwreck, but oterh dangers were support for tales of the supernatural.

The threat of cannibalism, though exaggerated, was real--if not from the natives of exotic lands then from one’s shipmates if the ship wrecked or ran out of food.

Coleridge had never been to sea when the poem was written.


Why do you think the Mariner shoots the Albatross?

Why do you think the Mariner shoots the Albatross?

ANSWERANSWER

He is annoyed by the bird’s presence.

The “fiends” cause him to do it

OR…his lack of motive adds to the mystery of the poem.

He is annoyed by the bird’s presence.

The “fiends” cause him to do it

OR…his lack of motive adds to the mystery of the poem.

Part 2Part 2

The ship has probably rounded Cape Horn, the southern part of South America and is likely headed north.

The ship has probably rounded Cape Horn, the southern part of South America and is likely headed north.


Why does the shipmates opinion of the Mariner change in lines 93-102?

Why does the shipmates opinion of the Mariner change in lines 93-102?

ANSWERANSWER

They see the bird’s death as the cause of the calm, so they are mad the Mariner has killed the bird.

During the fog, they are glad the Mariner killed the albatross because they think the bird caused the mist.

They see the bird’s death as the cause of the calm, so they are mad the Mariner has killed the bird.

During the fog, they are glad the Mariner killed the albatross because they think the bird caused the mist.


What mood is created in lines 123-130?

What mood is created in lines 123-130?

ANSWERANSWER

The mood of the poem turns even more

FANTASTICAL

The Mariner seems to hallucinate “slimy-things” and “death-fires”.

The mood of the poem turns even more

FANTASTICAL

The Mariner seems to hallucinate “slimy-things” and “death-fires”.


What illusion of movement is created by the imagery in lines 149-152?

What illusion of movement is created by the imagery in lines 149-152?

ANSWERANSWER

The growing size of the spotted object indicates it is moving TOWARD the ship.

The growing size of the spotted object indicates it is moving TOWARD the ship.


What might the shape’s position in lines 175-176 foreshadow?

What might the shape’s position in lines 175-176 foreshadow?

ANSWERANSWER

The shape’s eclipse of the sun suggests that it will bring the sailor’s “doom”

The eclipse could be a bad omen… telling of the future of what may happen to the crew.

The shape’s eclipse of the sun suggests that it will bring the sailor’s “doom”

The eclipse could be a bad omen… telling of the future of what may happen to the crew.


What do you think the woman’s words and actions in lines 197-198 indicate will happen to the Mariner?

What do you think the woman’s words and actions in lines 197-198 indicate will happen to the Mariner?

ANSWERANSWER

They suggest that the Mariner is spared death, but will endure “Life-in-Death”.

They suggest that the Mariner is spared death, but will endure “Life-in-Death”.

Parts 4-7Parts 4-7

After a brief return to the Wedding Guest speaking, the Mariner returns to his tale.

After a brief return to the Wedding Guest speaking, the Mariner returns to his tale.


Do the Wedding Guest’s suspicions in lines 224-231 seem reasonable?

Do the Wedding Guest’s suspicions in lines 224-231 seem reasonable?

ANSWERANSWER

After such a tale, the idea that the Mariner is a GHOST is not far-fetched.

After such a tale, the idea that the Mariner is a GHOST is not far-fetched.


What is the effect of the alliteration and assonance in the repeated words in lines 232-233?

What is the effect of the alliteration and assonance in the repeated words in lines 232-233?

ANSWERANSWER

DESOLATION; LonelinessBoth of these ideas are underscored by the Mariner’s words.

DESOLATION; LonelinessBoth of these ideas are underscored by the Mariner’s words.


Why is the stare of the dead men in lines 260-262 a curse on the Mariner?

Why is the stare of the dead men in lines 260-262 a curse on the Mariner?

ANSWERANSWER

He feels responsible for their deaths because he killed the albatross;

Also, he is the only one who did not die.

He feels responsible for their deaths because he killed the albatross;

Also, he is the only one who did not die.


How does the mood of the poem change with the rising of the moon in lines 263-271?

How does the mood of the poem change with the rising of the moon in lines 263-271?

ANSWERANSWER

Moonrise=Calmness, Healing Quality

This contrasts with the “bloody

sun”

Moonrise=Calmness, Healing Quality

This contrasts with the “bloody

sun”


Lines 282-291

These lines mark a turning point in the narrative. What action does the Mariner take that begins his “rebirth”?

Lines 282-291

These lines mark a turning point in the narrative. What action does the Mariner take that begins his “rebirth”?

ANSWERANSWER

He shows love toward the water snakes and blesses them

Shows an appreciation for all of God’s creatures…

He shows love toward the water snakes and blesses them

Shows an appreciation for all of God’s creatures…


What is the effect of the similesimile in lines 324-326?

What is the effect of the similesimile in lines 324-326?

ANSWERANSWER

Simile unites the image of the waterfall with the sight of lightning, producing an especially vivid picture of a violent storm.

Simile unites the image of the waterfall with the sight of lightning, producing an especially vivid picture of a violent storm.

MORE NOTATIONMORE NOTATION

Wordsworth claimed credit for the idea of having a ship manned by dead sailors

Tales of ships with dead crewsships with dead crews were common at this time among sailors

Wordsworth claimed credit for the idea of having a ship manned by dead sailors

Tales of ships with dead crewsships with dead crews were common at this time among sailors

QUESTION #7QUESTION #7

In line 345The Wedding Guest interrupts

the tale again. How does the Mariner console him?

In line 345The Wedding Guest interrupts

the tale again. How does the Mariner console him?

ANSWERANSWER

By explaining that the bodies were animated by angelic spirits.

By explaining that the bodies were animated by angelic spirits.


To whom does the Mariner allude in line 399?

To whom does the Mariner allude in line 399?

ANSWERANSWER

Reference is to Christ Reference is to Christ


What do you think is meant by the second voice’s comment in lines 408-409?

What do you think is meant by the second voice’s comment in lines 408-409?

ANSWERANSWER

The Mariner will undergo further trials in the poem.

The Mariner will undergo further trials in the poem.


Whose voices begin part 6?

Why is this change of speaker necessary?

Whose voices begin part 6?

Why is this change of speaker necessary?

ANSWERANSWER

The voices are not those of the two spirits that spoke in lines 398-409.

They are describing the ship’s progress while the Mariner lies in his ‘swound’.

The voices are not those of the two spirits that spoke in lines 398-409.

They are describing the ship’s progress while the Mariner lies in his ‘swound’.


How are the moon and ocean personified in lines 414-421?

How are the moon and ocean personified in lines 414-421?

ANSWERANSWER

The ocean looks to the moon for guidance--perhaps a reference to the relationship of moon and tide, as the sea is personified as slave to the moon.

The ocean looks to the moon for guidance--perhaps a reference to the relationship of moon and tide, as the sea is personified as slave to the moon.

QUESTION #12QUESTION #12

How does the Mariner’s interpretation of his journey make you feel about his experience?

How does the Mariner’s interpretation of his journey make you feel about his experience?

ANSWERANSWER

It helps the readers understand the eerie feeling the Mariner describes;

The comparison adds to the suspensesuspense of the poem.

It helps the readers understand the eerie feeling the Mariner describes;

The comparison adds to the suspensesuspense of the poem.


What is the effect of the alliteration and assonance in lines 460-463?

What is the effect of the alliteration and assonance in lines 460-463?

ANSWERANSWER

The devices suggest the swiftness and gentleness of the ship’s passage;

The hissing of the ss sounds may also suggest the blowing of the wind.

The devices suggest the swiftness and gentleness of the ship’s passage;

The hissing of the ss sounds may also suggest the blowing of the wind.


How do the welcome sights in lines 464-467 compare to the Mariner’s departure in lines 23-24?

How do the welcome sights in lines 464-467 compare to the Mariner’s departure in lines 23-24?

ANSWERANSWER

The landmarks are mentioned in reverse order, because the ship is “climbing” instead of “dropping”.

The landmarks are mentioned in reverse order, because the ship is “climbing” instead of “dropping”.


How is the possibly gruesome sight of corpses and angels in lines 490-495 made into a positive, beautiful picture?

How is the possibly gruesome sight of corpses and angels in lines 490-495 made into a positive, beautiful picture?

ANSWERANSWER

The scene is described with repeated references to light and with words such as lovely and heavenly;

The gesture of the angels, too, is a gentle wave.

The scene is described with repeated references to light and with words such as lovely and heavenly;

The gesture of the angels, too, is a gentle wave.


What is the Mariner’s hope in lines 512-513?

What is the Mariner’s hope in lines 512-513?

ANSWERANSWER

He hopes that the Hermit can, like a holy man, absolve him of the crime of shooting the albatross.

He hopes that the Hermit can, like a holy man, absolve him of the crime of shooting the albatross.


What is the result in lines 538-541 of the characters rushing to see what the reader already knows?

What is the result in lines 538-541 of the characters rushing to see what the reader already knows?

ANSWERANSWER

The result is Dramatic IronyDramatic IronyThe reader expects them to

react in horror as soon as they arrive at the ship

The result is Dramatic IronyDramatic IronyThe reader expects them to

react in horror as soon as they arrive at the ship


Describe the personalities of the Pilot and the Hermit based on their reactions to the Mariner in lines 560-569.

Describe the personalities of the Pilot and the Hermit based on their reactions to the Mariner in lines 560-569.

ANSWERANSWER

PilotPilot: faints, suggesting he is easily frightened and perhaps superstitious.

HermitHermit: prays, showing strength of his faith

BoyBoy: crazy laughter and comment, hint at his ironic wit

PilotPilot: faints, suggesting he is easily frightened and perhaps superstitious.

HermitHermit: prays, showing strength of his faith

BoyBoy: crazy laughter and comment, hint at his ironic wit


What is the Mariner’s climatic discovery in line 581?

What is the Mariner’s climatic discovery in line 581?

ANSWERANSWER

He realizes that telling the tale brings him some internal peace.

He realizes that telling the tale brings him some internal peace.


Do the Mariner’s comments in lines 584-585 explain why he has forced the Wedding Guest to hear his story?

Do the Mariner’s comments in lines 584-585 explain why he has forced the Wedding Guest to hear his story?

ANSWERANSWER

The Mariner’s “agony” has probably returned, so to rid himself of his pain, he has to tell his story, and by chance he meets the Wedding Guest.

The Mariner’s “agony” has probably returned, so to rid himself of his pain, he has to tell his story, and by chance he meets the Wedding Guest.

rime of the ancient mariner by samuel taylor coleridge by samuel taylor coleridge

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