THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER Imagery and Themes By: Jamie and Alexis

IMAGERY AND THEMES  The themes and the imagery are an important aspect in which the poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” is founded on. In the following presentation we will demonstrate some of the most significant themes and imagery.

FORCES OF NATURE  An aspect of imagery is primarily developed through the forces of nature in the poem

THE WIND  The wind is a reoccurring image that is conveyed in the form of a personification, which helps develop its strength and power. It appeals to the senses. For example, “And soon I heard a roaring wind:mIt did not come anear; But with its sound it shook the sails, That were so thin and sere.”

THE SUN  The sun is a force of nature that is also present multiple times in the poem, mostly describing the intensity of its heat. For example, “All in a hot and copper sky, The bloody Sun, at noon, Right up above the mast did stand, No bigger than the Moon.”

THE MOON  The moon, like the sun, is a contributor to the motif of darkness, evil, and suffering and works in juxtaposition throughout the length of the poem and is a symbol of serenity.

STORM  The storm gives the strongest sense of imagery and distress that is created for the protagonist and the reader. For example, “And now the STORM-BLAST came, and he Was tyrannous and strong: He struck with his o'ertaking wings, And chased us south along.”

THE SUPERNATURAL  The death of the Albatross caused a curse to be put onto the mariner as the crew.  The forces of nature were thrust upon the mariner’s ship because of his sinful and murderous deed.  The spirits that inform the mariner of his fate are also an example of this.  The supernatural is a reoccurring aspect during the entire length of the poem.

RELIGION  Religion is a crucial theme in this poem. The are several religious references associated with this poem, such as penance, which is when you perform specific acts in order to earn forgiveness of your sin.  There are also many references to God and Mother Mary, who are figures of Christianity.  The two voices are an example religious moral messages sent to the mariner.

RETRIBUTION  Retribution is a significant theme that ties into religion into the poem. The majority of the poem goes along the journey of the mariner who seeks forgiveness for killing the Albatross.  The mariner had to witness his own crew members dying because of what he did. He was unable to escape this horrific sight while on the boat in solitude.

TRANSFORMATION  Before killing the Albatross the mariner was a man who took life for granted, especially his spiritual connection with God. After his punishment he earns a new perspective on life and is more appreciative of the the less significant aspects of life. This is how the theme of transformation ties in and changes the mariner’s life. The poem demonstrates the mariners moral and life development resulting from his traumatic experiences at sea.