Symbolism within the poem develops the plot; this makes the poem transfixing to the reader.
The supernatural essence within the poem compliments the vivid language to make the poem compelling. The strange weather, the albatross as a bird of good omen. Death and life in death, “The spirit from the land of mist and snow”. The mariners “strange power of speech” Symbolism within the poem entraps the reader thus compelling them.
The use of retrospective allows throughout the poem produces effect, it interrupts the poem, reminding the reader of the consequences of ignoring the natural and metaphysical world.
Repetition in general adds an urgency to the poem which complements the narrative. “Water water every where” The repetition of stanzas contrasts the mariners situation; this couples effectively with the supernatural theme. 8th stanza, section 2, stanza 1 contrasts the norm of the sun rising form the left and later the sun rising form the right.
Although the mariner's killing of the albatross, the terrifying deaths of his shipmates, and the grotesque descriptions of supernatural spirits are disturbing, these elements are intended to develop the story, to illustrate how the mariner's destructive act sets him apart, and to portray vividly the results of his act and the horrifying, repulsive world that he comes to inhabit because of it. The consequences are all the more terrible for having been set in motion by such a thoughtless act in the first place. Coleridge is working towards a goal; to portray the mariner's development into a sensitive, understanding, and compassionate human being. In so doing, he aims to persuade the reader to reconsider his or her attitudes towards the natural world. This makes the poem incredibly compelling to the reader.
Storytelling within the poem is a preventative measure, used to dissuade those who favour the pleasures of society (like the wedding guest and arguably the reader) from disregarding the metaphysical and natural world. The poem could be seen as an allegory for the writer’s task. Coleridge uses the word “teach” to describe the mariner’s storytelling technique, and says he has the strange power of speech”. In this way Coleridge compares the protagonist to himself. Both are gifted story tellers who impart their wisdom to others. Like the mariner who is forced to live a horrifying limbo between the living and dead, the writer is condemned to balance in the liminal space of imagination. Taking this into account serves to make the poem more vivid, the reader is compelled to read and feel a part of the poem. By associating himself with the Ancient Mariner, Coleridge implies that he, and by extension all writers, are not only inspired but compelled to write. The significance of this within relation to the context of the poem draws the reader within; captivating them as a result.
Christian, pagan and other religious connotations are rife within the poem. The avenging Old Testament, god avenges the death of the Albatross resulting in the life in death imprisonment of the mariner.
Coleridge draws great attention to the emotions of the mariner, in doing so the poem becomes compelling to the audience.
The poem is often hard to interpret at times, this can he related to the natural cycle. It is enigmatic, within nature life and death resides with the spirit world dominating everything. The random killing of the Albatross echoes this.
Short sharp sentences emphasise the key parts of the poem, often breaking the strong rhythm of the poem. This emphasises the urgency “I shot the Albatross”. This overall, contrasts well with the vivid persona of the poem.
Emotive wording culminates in the language becoming increasingly vivid “burst”.
This contrasts between the heat and cold. Onomatopoeia.
Foreshadowing alerts the reader to the safe Kirk contrasted with the open vulnerability of the sea, where the mariners are trapped. “water water every where, Ne any drop to drink”
Elements of Anagnoris complements the narrative, the mariner is tormented by the soul of dead friend and family members, of which he is responsible for their deaths.
"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" is a tale of retribution, since the Ancient Mariner spends most of the poem paying for his one, impulsive error of killing the Albatross. The spiritual world avenges the Albatross's death by wreaking physical and psychological havoc on the Ancient Mariner and his shipmates. Even before the sailors die, their punishment is extensive; they become delirious from a debilitating state of thirst, their lips bake black in the sun, and they must endure the torment of seeing water all around them while being unable to drink it for its saltiness. Eventually the sailors all die, their souls flying either to heaven or hell. There are at least two ways to interpret the fact that the sailors suffer with the Ancient Mariner although they themselves have not erred. The first is that retribution is blind; inspired by anger and the desire to punish others, even a spirit may hurt the wrong people. The second is that the sailors are implicated in the Ancient Mariner's crime. If the Ancient Mariner represents the universal sinner, then each sailor, as a human, is guilty of having at some point disrespected one of God's creatures-or if not, he would have in the future. But the eternal punishment called Life-in-Death is reserved for the Ancient Mariner. Presumably the spirit, being immortal, must endure eternal grief over the murder of its beloved Albatross. In retribution, it forces the Ancient Mariner to endure eternal torment as well, in the form of his curse. Though he never dies - and may never, in a sense - the Ancient Mariner speaks from beyond the grave to warn others about the harsh, permanent consequences of momentary foolishness, selfishness, and disrespect of the natural world.
In conclusion Coleridge uses a vast array of techniques to produce a vivid and compelling ballad. Not only does Coleridge produce a truly vivid poem through effective narrative, he explores the art of story telling it’s self. In effect this compels the reader further, the audience is drawn within the poem it’s self.
