Answer Guide to our Close Reading of “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”

Part I

1. The effect of the contrast between the Mariner’s appearance and the feast is that it shows how
much the Mariner does not belong. He is a ragged, worn, and impoverished man outside of a
fancy wedding feast. As well, this foreshadows the idea that the Mariner does not belong
anywhere, as he is forever fated to wander.
2. The short “e” sound is repeated throughout this stanza, and the internal rhyme is “met” and
“set.”
3. His “skinny hand” implies he is famished, the manner in which he grabs the wedding guest
implies he is a little irrational/obtuse, and his glittering eye suggests he has a knack for getting
and holding attention.
4. This interruption suggests that the Wedding Guest is not wholly into the Mariner’s story. His
attention is wandering, and the poet demonstrates this by interrupting the narrative.
5. The ship being driven through the storm is compared to someone fleeing from a group of yelling
pursuers.
6. The interruption in the stanza structure coincides with a major interruption in the plot of the
story. In the story, the ship/crew experiences a major change in routine when they head into a
fierce storm while sailing south.
7. Coleridge uses onomatopoeia in these lines to emphasize the ferocity and noisiness with which
the ice is cracking around the ship as it sails in cold seas. This is indeed a dangerous situation,
and the onomatopoeia heightens the danger with its auditory imagery.
8. The mariner kills the albatross with a crossbow at the end of part I.
9. The text is not clear on his motivation. Maybe he did it because he has no respect for nature.
Maybe the albatross annoyed him. Maybe he is just a mean individual. Maybe he thought the
albatross was responsible for the fog and mist in which the ship was caught.

Part II

1. The internal rhyme functions in a couple of ways. For one, it draws a connection between the
killing of the bird and the curse (the drought). For another, it emphasizes the fact that the
sailors are having an intense discussion regarding the Mariner and his killing of the albatross.
2. There are a couple of possibilities as to why Coleridge alters the stanza structure here. It could
be to emphasize the importance of the discussion in this part of the story. It could also
emphasize the element of danger the ship is now in, since the last time the stanzas changed, it
coincided with a storm in the plot. Regardless, it represents a major transition in the poem.
3. The immediate consequence of the Mariner’s actions is that the fog and mist burn away, as the
ship enters the Pacific Ocean.
4. The crew’s attitude changes dramatically throughout part II. At first, they are angry with the
Mariner for killing the good omen. Then, they approve of his actions, thinking the albatross was
the cause of the fog and mist. Finally, they are angry once again, fixing the mariner with evil
looks and forcing him to wear the corpse of the albatross around his neck.
Part III

1. The simile here is comparing the souls flying from the sailors’ bodies to the whizzing of the
Mariner’s crossbow bolts. It is significant for two reasons: one, it suggests the souls of the men
are angry—it’s almost like they are taking a shot at him as they move on. Second, it suggests
that Death is working quickly, just as the Mariner’s curse is.

Part IV

1. The Wedding Guest is afraid that the Mariner is a ghost himself and interrupts the Mariner
because of this. His suspicions are warranted, since the Mariner is haggard looking, and he did
have a harrowing experience with curses and Death.
2. The alliteration and the assonance almost lengthen the words themselves. The long “o” sound
takes time to produce, and it just goes to exaggerate both the length of time the Mariner was
alone, and the intensity of his lonely feelings.
3. Coleridge plays on the lack of pity for the Mariner. If not even the Saints will pity him, who else
will? Perhaps he is doomed to roam the Earth forever without a friend in the world.
4. The supernatural makes use of the natural in these lines. The polar spirit freezes the corpses in
time, so they do not exude fluids, do not stink, and do not rot. The effect is a harrowing sight
for the Mariner, and the beginning of the curse.
5. The stare of the dead men is a curse on the Mariner since he most likely feels he is being stared
at by conscious beings. Their stares are probably accusatory, and he probably feels
overwhelming guilt.
6. The spell is broken when the Mariner seas the sea snakes and recognizes their beauty, thus
acknowledging the beauty of nature.

Part V

1. The metaphorical meaning of the breaking of the drought is that it represents the end of the
Mariner’s curse, and it represents life, since he has been thirsting to death since the albatross
was killed.
2. The allusion is a reference to Jesus. It is significant because Jesus and the Mariner both suffer,
and the Mariner is about to embark on a journey of repentance like other Christians. As well,
the spirit who utters this phrase uses it as an expression of surprise, kind of like when we say
OMG about something.

Part VI

1. The Mariner probably doubts what he sees because so much of his experiences lately have been
unbelievable. He has also been dreaming vibrantly, and with all the disaster he has
encountered, he’s afraid this is just another dream.
Part VII

1. Telling his tale brings the Mariner peace. If he does not tell it, his heart begins to burn in agony.
His penance is to travel around and share his tale.
2. The theme of the poem is that one should love and revere not only one’s fellow humanity, but
also the natural world, for God made both, and God loves both.
3. This is an opinion question. It can certainly be relevant in two contexts. One: it seems there is
much selfishness and conflict in our world, and it would perhaps be better off if people were
more caring. Second, it is imperative to preserve our natural world, not only to leave its natural
wonders to future generations, but also to keep it clean for our benefit and other living
creatures’ benefit.
4. The Wedding Guest, after hearing the mariner’s tale, is left speechless and stunned. He goes off
to the feast, but wakes up the next day a sadder, but wiser man.