In the “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” Samuel Coleridge uses very elaborate diction to imply the role nature plays in the lives of men and women. In this poem Coleridge relates these two elements using symbolism and subtle references allowing readers to connect more deeply with the text. In this poem the Mariner commits an awful crime by killing the Albatross that saved him from the storm. Then nature chooses to avenge the Albatross’ death by punishing the Mariner.
At first, the ship is headed into a storm and needs to get out. The Mariner’s crew get off course and are caught in an awful foggy ice field. Then Nature provides the Albatross. The Albatross brings good winds and helps the ship out of the fog. Everyone roars and howls in favor of the Albatross. The Albatross “[is] received with great joy and hospitality” (Line 63). Then the Mariner shoots the Albatross and nature begins to avenge the death of the Albatross. What nature is about to do to the crew is foreshadowed by one of the crew mates who says, “That plague thee thus!” (l. 80). The role that one man, the Mariner, played against the bird will affect the entire …show more content…
In order for nature to forgive the Mariner he needs to be able to pray and confess his sins. He’s unable to do this because he must carry the weight of the Albatross and cannot stop thinking about it, but once he looks into the ocean he is able to free his mind by looking at the snakes and he “Blessed them unaware” (l. 285). And at that moment it was “The self-same moment I could pray; and from my neck so free the Albatross fell off” (l. 288-290). At this moment this is when nature finally forgives the Mariner for the crime that he has committed and he is finally relieved from his pain. Nature chose to forgive him when he looked into the ocean and was able appreciate the beauty of natural things that God