A Reading and Analysis of Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (Part 1)

Summary

In this video, the speaker introduces Samuel Taylor Coleridge's *The Rime of the Ancient Mariner*, a key work from the Romantic era. The poem, set in a medieval-like time, tells the story of an old sailor who recounts his fateful journey at sea. The speaker explains the use of ballad form, Coleridge's archaic language, and the mystical, psychological elements central to the poem. The video covers the frame narrative, where the mariner stops a wedding guest, and delves into the crew's ill-fated encounter with an albatross, setting the stage for the mariner's tale of guilt and redemption.

Takeaways

• 😀 *Introduction to the Poem*: *The Rime of the Ancient Mariner* by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is one of the most famous poems of the Romantic period.
• 😀 *Poem’s Form*: The poem is a ballad, a narrative form that was popular in the Middle Ages and revived in the Romantic era.
• 😀 *Context of 'Rime'*: The word 'rime' in the title means 'ballad,' highlighting the form rather than rhyme.
• 😀 *Medieval Revival*: Coleridge’s use of archaic language and poetic techniques reflects the medieval revival characteristic of Romantic literature.
• 😀 *Ballad Characteristics*: The poem includes repeated stanzas, incremental repetition, and dialogue, all typical of ballads.
• 😀 *The Mariner’s Tale*: The Mariner, an old man, interrupts a wedding celebration to tell his tale, starting the frame narrative of the poem.
• 😀 *Symbolism of the Albatross*: The Albatross symbolizes nature and possibly Christian or spiritual themes, marking a shift in the ship’s fortunes.
• 😀 *Hypnotic Power*: The Mariner uses his 'glittering eye' to mesmerize the wedding guest, making him listen to the tale, reminiscent of early psychological techniques.
• 😀 *Science and Geography*: The poem hints at geographical knowledge, referencing the equator and the South Pole in the journey of the ship.
• 😀 *The Ship’s Journey*: The ship sails south through stormy weather, heading toward the South Pole, experiencing cold, mist, and snow.
• 😀 *Cacophony for Effect*: Coleridge uses harsh, grating sounds (cacophony) to convey the eerie and intense atmosphere of the setting.
• 😀 *Guilt and Consequence*: The Mariner’s action of shooting the Albatross triggers a series of unfortunate events, foreshadowing the theme of guilt and punishment.

Q & A

What is the meaning of the term 'rhyme' in the title *The Rime of the Ancient Mariner*?

In the title, the term 'rhyme' refers to a ballad, which is a narrative poem or song. It was a popular genre during the medieval period, but fell out of favor during the Renaissance. Coleridge revived this form in his poem, blending older traditions with newer ones.

What is the significance of Coleridge using archaic language in the poem?

Coleridge uses archaic language, including old spellings and words, to evoke the past and set the poem in a medieval context. This also highlights his knowledge of older poetic traditions and adds to the atmosphere of the poem.

What is the structure of *The Rime of the Ancient Mariner*?

The poem is structured as a long narrative in seven parts. The first part of the poem is the focus of this video, which introduces the frame narrative where the Ancient Mariner tells his story to a wedding guest.

How does the Ancient Mariner interact with the wedding guest?

The Ancient Mariner stops the wedding guest with his 'glittering eye,' which hypnotizes the guest into listening to his story. The guest tries to walk away but is compelled to stay, similar to being mesmerized.

What is the role of the albatross in the poem?

The albatross is initially a symbol of good luck for the sailors, as it helps them navigate through the icy waters. However, after the Mariner shoots it with his crossbow, the bird becomes a symbol of guilt and bad luck, setting off a chain of supernatural events.

What does the use of the phrase 'cracked and growled and rolled and held' represent in the poem?

This phrase is an example of cacophony, a literary device that uses harsh, grating sounds to create an unsettling and dramatic effect, mirroring the dangerous and eerie atmosphere of the sailors' surroundings.

What does the wedding guest's reaction to the Mariner's story signify?

The wedding guest's reaction, where he beats his breast and is shocked by the Mariner's pale appearance, highlights the powerful and unsettling impact of the Mariner's tale. The guest is visibly disturbed by the story, which suggests its weight and significance.

Why is the Mariner's journey described as moving towards the South Pole?

The Mariner's journey takes the ship from the equator towards the South Pole, as indicated by the position of the sun in the sky. This shift in location signals a transition into a colder, more dangerous environment, where the sailors encounter harsh weather conditions like snow and ice.

What is the significance of the poem's incremental repetition?

Incremental repetition is a key technique in the ballad form. Coleridge uses it to build rhythm, emphasize key moments, and deepen the meaning of the poem. For example, the repeated lines about the wedding guest beating his breast reinforce his discomfort and the growing tension in the story.

How does Coleridge integrate psychological elements into the poem?

Coleridge incorporates psychological elements, particularly through the Mariner's hypnotic control over the wedding guest. The Mariner's 'glittering eye' and the use of mesmerization reflect Coleridge's interest in the psychological and hypnotic techniques of the time.