“The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”
“The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” is a narrative poem written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in 1798. It tells the story of a mariner who experiences a harrowing sea voyage after he kills an albatross, a bird often seen as a symbol of good luck. The mariner's actions lead to dire consequences, including the suffering of his crew and supernatural events.
Throughout the poem, themes of guilt, redemption, and the relationship between humanity and nature are explored. The mariner ultimately learns the importance of respecting all living things, leading to his eventual salvation and the moral of the story.