The Rime of the Ancient Mariner | Topics for Discussion & Projects

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Suggested Essay Topics

Why did the Mariner kill the Albatross? Do you think it was premeditated or a hasty action?

Compare the characters of the Pilot and the Hermit. How do their reactions to the Mariner's situation differ?

Why do you think the Ancient Mariner stops this particular Wedding Guest?

Compare the two versions of the poems. Why do you think Coleridge made the revisions?

Discuss how the crew besides the Ancient Mariner is punished. Is the punishment fair? Did they deserve it?

Why do you think Coleridge added the epigraph and notes to the later version of the poem? Do they help in understanding the poem?

Why do you think Coleridge made Nightmare Life-in-Death a woman? Do you think it had anything to do with women's roles during his time?