Mariner Romanticism

A Romantic Rime Romantic literature, such as The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Coleridge, involves the imagination. The story involves an old mariner who shares his tale with a wedding guest at a wedding procession. This poem is a framed tale since there is a story (of the mariner's journey) within the actual story (mariner speaking to wedding guest). Also, the use of archaic language gives this work its Medieval-like flavor. The gothic elements, the appreciation of nature, and the emphasis on the individual make this poem an effective example of Romantic literature. The first characteristic of romanticism in this poem is the implementation of gothic elements. The supernatural traits of the literature awaken the imagination of the reader. In the beginning of the poem, it says "The Mariner hath his will," meaning that the wedding guest is spell-bound by
The Mariner is isolated due to his choice to kill the albatross, which was caused by the him not being conscious. He suffers because of his choice and the crew members are killed due to their individual choices to become accomplices of the crime. The mariner's penance to travel from land to land and share his story to enlightened individuals is retribution for his individual sin. Coleridge points out, through the characterization of the wedding guest as "a sadder and wiser man," that ignorance is bliss and the choice to live a life of awareness is a difficult choice (76). All individuals have the opportunity to either live a conscious life or continue being unaware of the choices they make or the changes happening around them. Throughout Rime of the Ancient Mariner, the gothic elements, the appreciation of nature, and the emphasis on individualism make this poem an exemplar of romantic literature. The overall purpose of these characteristics is to excite the imagination of readers and promote change among all of