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.