Christian and Biblical References Hidden Within “the Rime of the Ancient Mariner”
Mike Peirce
Professor: Mahlika Hopwood
Text & Context: Imagination and Reality
Due: March 8th, 2012
Christian and Biblical References Hidden Within “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”
Christian and Biblical references have been involved in the craft of writing since the birth of religion; or at earliest, the composition of the Bible. Biblical Symbolism in “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem, which was 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, and biblical symbolism; however, the religious and natural symbolisms, which coincide with one another, play the most important roles in this poem. Apocalyptic and natural symbolism dominates the core of this poem. 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. Beginning with the main issues surrounding “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” 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 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” (Line 404). Signifying a strong tie/bond between the two. This bond not only relates to the ‘love between the man and the bird,’ but rather, the connection between an individual and religion. It is doubtful that someone with Coleridge’s Christian background and faith could fail to see an analogy with God who loved his son who loved the
Professor: Mahlika Hopwood
Text & Context: Imagination and Reality
Due: March 8th, 2012
Christian and Biblical References Hidden Within “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”
Christian and Biblical references have been involved in the craft of writing since the birth of religion; or at earliest, the composition of the Bible. Biblical Symbolism in “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem, which was 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, and biblical symbolism; however, the religious and natural symbolisms, which coincide with one another, play the most important roles in this poem. Apocalyptic and natural symbolism dominates the core of this poem. 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. Beginning with the main issues surrounding “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” 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 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” (Line 404). Signifying a strong tie/bond between the two. This bond not only relates to the ‘love between the man and the bird,’ but rather, the connection between an individual and religion. It is doubtful that someone with Coleridge’s Christian background and faith could fail to see an analogy with God who loved his son who loved the