Random Stuff from the Rime of the Ancient Mariner

what does rime mean (2 definitions)

• alternate form of rhyme

• can mean “frost” - an icy substance that can form on sails and ships

what does the mariner’s “glittering eye” symbolize

theme - power of the gaze

description of the wedding guest

on his way to the wedding, asks questions during the story, deeply affected by the story and the mariner

how does the wedding guest feel at the beginning of the story

he’s unwilling to listen

what marks the start of the journey

the rising of the sun

what does the sun represent

the natural world - it opposes the moon and shows what is obvious

what does the storm cause for the ship

it becomes stranded in the ice of the south pole

description of the albatross

Christ-like figure, innocent and likely broke the ice that trapped the ship, frees the ship and saves the crew

what are albatrosses a symbol of in maritime lore

they can be a symbol of good luck and a bad omen

what was the mariner’s relationship with the albatross before he killed it

he befriended it

the mariner and the albatross represent what Biblical figures

the mariner is Judas and the albatross is Christ

what does the death of the albatross lead to in terms of the mariner’s development

his eventual awakening to the sublime beauty and power of God’s creations

what bad things start to happen after the albatross is killed

the ship sails into strange seas, the wind stops, and the crew’s thirst drives them mad

what do the “evil looks” from the crew symbolize

theme - power of the gaze

what does the crew hang around the mariner’s neck

the dead albatross

what does the crew’s glazed eyes symbolize

theme - power of the gaze

what does the mariner see approaching their ship

a ghostly ship piloted by Death and Life-in-Death

description of Life-in-Death

beautiful and terrible, wins a dice game against Death for the mariner’s soul, her influence keeps the mariner from dying

what does the crew turning their faces with a “ghastly pang” and cursing the mariner with their eyes symbolize

theme - power of the gaze

why do all of the men except the mariner die

Death takes the men’s lives but not the mariner because his soul was won by Life-in-Death

what is the turning point for the mariner

when he accepts the beauty of nature and God’s hand in creating the serpents

the mariner is only able to pray when

he begins to understand the spiritual and natural orders of the world

the Albatross falls off of the mariner’s neck when he

accepts the bird as part of God’s creation and he is partially absolved of his sin - the Mariner learned his lesson and the albatross’s job is done

how does the ship start sailing

angels take over the bodies of the dead crew to help sail the ship

the mariner appreciating the sublime beauty of the larks and small birds singing reaffirms his…

connection with nature and God

what is a key theme of the text

theme of sin, punishment, and penance

what must the mariner do to be completely absolved of his sin

tell his story far and wide to those who must hear it

what marks the end of the journey

the moon rising

what does the moon represent

the spiritual/supernatural world, it opposes the sun and shows what is hidden

what is the significance of the cycle of the sun and moon in the story

it mirrors the cycle of sin and penance of the mariner and shows that both cycles are complete

what is a seraph

a celestial or heavenly being commonly known in Abrahamic religions as an angel of the highest rank

who does the mariner first tell his story to and how does it make him feel

he tells the hermit, which makes him feel better

why must the mariner tell others his story

if he does not, the pain becomes unbearable

how does the wedding guest develop after hearing the mariner’s story

he becomes a sadder and wiser man