Essay On The Albatross In The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner

Samuel Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” uses an albatross to symbolize many aspects of the christian faith. The albatross primarily represents Jesus Christ but can also represent a burden. In “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” the albatross dies for reasons similar to Jesus Christ. The reason for the peaceful birds death: there isn’t one. The albatross a symbol of Jesus Christ and a burden changes the Mariner’s way of thinking. The albatross is a symbol of Jesus Christ. When the bird is first introduced to the story he appears as a good omen. The sailors were lost at sea when the albatross appeared. The bird, like Jesus, provided a good leadership to the sailors. The fog was lifted and the sailors were led to safer waters by the albatross. The creature had been accompanied by many good omens and had not done anything wrong. The friendly and peaceful creature was killed for no reason: “With my cross-bow/ I shot the ALBATROSS”. This is an allusion to Jesus Christ’s death. Jesus was crucified for unjustified reasons, just like the albatross died for no clear reason. Both Christ and the albatross brought good fortune wherever they went and never caused harm to others. After the albatross is murdered the sailors were outraged at the Mariner for killing the creature. These sailors quickly changed their minds and
Before shooting the albatross the Mariner was a normal man. After the albatross dies the Mariner is forced to wear the albatross around his neck. The albatross now represents a burden of the Mariner’s sin. The Mariner curses all living creatures and can not find peace with himself. As long as the Mariner holds onto his hate the albatross will continue to hang around his neck. The Mariner’s life will always be burdened by the death of the albatross. Eventually the Mariner realizes that killing the albatross was wrong. The Mariner then blessed every creature in his heart causing the albatross to fall