Religion In The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner

Religion Is Not Always as It Should Be

During the early twentieth century, Samuel Taylor Coleridge began his quest to strive to create works of literature for the common man; an ambition that was rare among his contemporaries. In 1800, he published "The Rime of the Ancyent Marinere," a poem immersed with didactic and religious undertones. Since Coleridge intends to use this poem as a lesson for his reader, the common man of the 18th century, he demonstrates that religion works in unexpected ways, and religious repentance is ultimately not a complete vindication of sin. Specifically, in lines 264 to 283, Coleridge dictates both a bizarre and disheartening account of religion by using obscure imagery, peculiar word choice, and a unique rhyme

The Marinere notes after he realized he could pray, "And from my neck so free / The Albatross fell off, and sank / Like lead into the sea" (281 - 283). The Albatross, which was following the ship, was shot and killed by the Marinere. Coleridge gives no reason for why the Marinere shot and killed the Albatross, but throughout the poem the Albatross hangs on the Marinere 's neck as a visual representation of the sin that he had committed. In these final lines of part four, the Albatross fell off Marinere 's neck as soon as he blessed the water snakes, after observing them in a godlike fashion. The phrase "like lead into the sea," implies that the Albatross was both a physical and spiritual representation of the Marinere 's sin. After reading this line, the reader assumes that the Marinere 's weight has been lifted, his penance has concluded, and his life will resume in a more positive way. However, this is not the