After the salvation of the sailors, with the Albatross in tow, the Mariner feels jealousy and hatred and murders the Albatross, killing the very thing which gave him and his ship mates’ life. Lines 81-82 explain the act: “With my crossbow/I shot the Albatross” (81-82). The use of the crossbow as the weapon of choice is a clear symbol of the cross which Christ died on.
The Mariner soon realizes his treacherous act and begins to feel repentance for it as seen in lines 91-92: “And I had done a hellish thing/And it would work ‘em woe” (91-92). This is a continuation of the cycle of Christian sin – death and repentance. As a sacrament for his sin, the Mariner is feels compelled to wear the Albatross around his neck. This is reminiscent of the common cross that many Christians around their neck to always remind them of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for them on the cross.
All sins have consequences, and the Mariner soon realized the consequences of his transgression. The lives of his shipmates, his dear friends, were lost, and he must float, alone and windless until he learns the value of all living creatures from the birds above, to the animal that roam the plains, to the fish and even the sea snakes that reside below.
The marine finally realizes his mistakes and begins to appreciate all living things, this is when the Mariner finally begins the salvation process. In lines 289-291, the Mariner describes his softened heart and the deep grief he bears: The selfsame moment I could pray;/And from my neck so free/The Albatross fell off, and sank (289-291).
When the Mariner is broken, when he can no longer go on and he realizes the value of all living creatures, he prays with soft heart and he is freed, the Albatross breaks from his neck and he can stand up straight and feel life flowing through him yet again.
Coleridge continues the Christian allegories in his poem through the resurrection of the men on the Mariner’s ship. Formerly dead men are filled with spirits, who row the Mariner home. The Mariner comments, “It had been strange, even in a dream, /To have seen those dead men rise” (334-335). The crew men were killed as punishment for the Mariner’s sins, as Christ was killed for the sins of mankind. Both Christ and the crew are resurrected to teach and aid those who had betrayed them.
Furthermore, the Mariner enters a stage of confession once he returns to him village. The Mariner is tortured by his experiences, until he recounts his tale to the Christian Hermit in the town. He recalls, “With a woful agony, / Which forced me to begin my tale; / And then it left me free” (579-581). Once the Mariner tells the Hermit about his sins and repentance, the Mariner is freed from his pain. Carrying on the Christian concept of teaching the story of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, the Mariner must continue to tell others about his experiences. The Mariner explains to the Wedding Guest, “I know the man that must hear me: / To him my tale I teach” (590-591). The Mariner continues to teach others about sin, repentance and forgiveness, similar to Christians.
In conclusion, Coleridge uses the Albatross in his poem as a Christ-like figure that follows the Mariner through the Christian cycle of sin, repentance, salvation, and penance. The Albatross, as viewed by the sailors was a sign of hope and indeed the Albatross brought hope and lead the sailors away from the freezing bonds of death. The Mariner is wrought with jealousy and human sin and kills the Albatross. As a representation of his sin, the Mariner must wear the Albatross around his neck as an ever-present reminder of his sin and lack of worthiness, much like Christians were crosses around their necks even today. After the Mariner realizes his the value of all creatures big and small and speaks a true prayer seeking of heart-felt repentance, the Albatross breaks free and the Mariner feels forgiven and free. Now, the Mariner continues his feeling of forgiveness by paying penance for the remainder of his days recounting to all, his tale of the dangers of sin to all who will listen, including the wedding guest and the Christian hermit. With each guest who listens to the tale of his forgiveness, the Mariner feels like a more complete and better person.
