The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Plot Summary

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Overview

On a superficial level, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" can be read as a tale of horror in which a mariner is hounded by disaster and supernatural forces after murdering an albatross. But it is much more than that. Coleridge clearly tries to make the supernatural elements of the poem appear as integral parts of the natural world. His underlying theme is that all things that inhabit the natural world have an inherent value and beauty, and that it is necessary for humanity to recognize and respect these qualities. The simple action of the plot, initiated by the mariner's unthinking, destructive act, leads to his tribulations and consequent maturation. "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" is an excellent example of Romantic poetry and is often read to understand the characteristics of this poetic genre.