The rime of the ancient mariner
In "The Rimes of the Ancient Mariner", Coleridge uses a myriad of intrinsic elements to convey the obscure message of harmony and peace among man and nature. His emphasis on the "One life" that bonds humans and nature together sets a deep impression on the reader that we should love all creations of God for "he madeth us, madeth and loveth us all". Perhaps Coleridge is using biblical references to serve as conduits for readers to comprehend his intentions on the One life because many lessons of morality and righteousness are learnt from the Bible. The poem concentrates on the Ancient Mariner, the living example of a man who sowed discord between himself and the natural elements on Earth. He shot the Albatross with no motive which so happens to symbolize the death of Christ who died willingly for mankind when he had not committed any sins at all. Thus, Coleridge expounds the profound meaning of harmony between man and nature with nature itself, the "One life", different elements of nature and the "Curse" that struck the Mariner after killing the Albatross.The "One life" expounds the bonding and togetherness of God's creations that we should love each other all the same, regardless of how superior or intellectual you may seem to
The sinking of the Albatross signifies forgiveness of God towards the Mariner, maybe to imply that humans are given a second chance to repent? The idea of why God punishes the Mariner is elusive as it seems like an act of blaspheme but man ought to ask themselves that if they are not disciplined and punished for scorning and abusing the elements of nature, will they ever learn to do so? Perhaps this is why Coleridge writes about the sufferings the Mariner has to go through in order to be free again. The sea slugs and water snakes are part of nature and perhaps, Coleridge is trying to convey that by discriminating against creatures deemed of lower superiority and intelligence believed by the complexity of the human mind, we should be punished. Nature is usually described as friendly, cheery and ebullient yet the dark and gloomy image of the physical aspects of the environment is paradoxical. The ocean, dark and hopeless, gives a paradoxical sense to the reader when the Mariner laments that "water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink". Yet with the spectrum of tools Coleridge uses to evoke different senses within us, we get to see a clearer picture of how we have changed and the imperative to be in touch with nature again. God is forgiving and he wants us to love each other sincerely and genuinely. By leading us back to our intrinsic roots, we realize the vast contrasts of how much we have evolved and changed. The use of biblical references by Coleridge effectively evokes the sense of guilt and repentance within us. The poem in general, possesses many themes and ideas on sins, love, harmony and the "One life" that Coleridge suggests. The sense of guilt and humiliation might be the feeling Coleridge wants to evoke in us. It might be due to the reason why Coleridge prefers to use nature as one of the major tools to convey this valuable lesson that man has abandoned the natural environment for modernization and advancement, he has unknowingly been influenced and stained by the evil temptations for him to succumb to. More importantly, we have lost contact with nature because as we progress, we are moving away gradually. Perhaps mankinds have become so diabolical and corrupted, we need to be pulled away from the perplexing world of satanic influences and comprehend the dire straits we are heading into.
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Acceptance Essays
