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Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," written in 1797, has been widely discussed throughout literary history. Although critics have come up with many different interpretations of this poem, one idea that has remained prevalent throughout these discussions is the apparent religious symbolism present throughout this poem. "The Ancient Mariner" contains natural, gothic, and biblical symbolism; however, the religious and natural symbolism, which coincide with one another, play the most important roles in this poem (Piper 43). It is apocalyptic and natural symbolism that dominates the core of this poem (43).

The biblical symbolism found in this poem mainly reflects the apocalypse, as it deals with the Mariner's revelation that good will triumph over evil, and

his acceptance of all nature as God's creation. It is impossible to believe that Coleridge was not thinking of the mysterious wind that blows on the Mariner, without any awareness of the wind as a Biblical symbol of the Holy Spirit. Coleridge could also not associate the murder of the albatross with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The reader is told that the Polar Spirit "loved the bird that loved the man who shot him with his bow." It is doubtful th

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There are two essential steps in the conversion process.

Another example of symbolism is the fact that the albatross is hung around the Mariner's neck like a crucifix. The sea is where the decisive events, the moments of eternal choice, temptation, and redemption occur. The language and form in this part of the poem represent the images and words, which have traditionally described the wrath of God and the guilt of man in Christi!

an terms. However, the Mariner goes through as conversion, which thus releases his soul from the pains of sin and death so that he can once again obtain happiness. Even thought the Mariner must continue with his penance, he is free of God's wrath and is able to appreciate and love all of nature as God's creation. However, it is directly after this description that the Mariner observes the beauty of the water snakes and forms a respect for the presence of God in nature.

By using imagery from the apocalypse and religious symbolism in nature, Coleridge created an incredible poem which expresses how the realization of divine love within oneself has the power to heal pain and suffering. at someone with Coleridge's Christian background and faith could fail to see here an analogy with God who loved his son who loved the men that killed him. After the Mariner kills the albatross, he feels as if he is under some sort of curse. While at sea, the Mariner makes the eternal choice to kill the Albatross. It is a known fact that Coleridge's thoughts and feelings where rarely affected by his beliefs, especially the apocalypse.

Throughout this poem there are many examples of biblical symbolism in nature. The apocalypse is heavily reflected upon throughout this poem as Coleridge combined the vivid colors, the ocean, and the death fires of "The Ancient Mariner" with the terror and desolation of the days of wrath in the apocalypse. s a result of the Mariner's decision, a curse falls over the ship and the Mariner is sentenced to eternal penance.

Approximate Word count = 981
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

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