The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

1. The sound of words plays a major role in “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” Identify one example each of alliteration (the use of words that begin with the same sound), assonance (the repetition of the same vowel sound in two or more words), and onomatopoeia (the use of words that sound like the noise they describe). For each example, discuss how Coleridge uses sound to create meaning (e.g. to establish a mood, underscore a theme, highlight the speaker’s state of mind, etc.)

2. Coleridge often draws attention to eyes and vision in the poem. How does this imagery contribute to the work’s overall meaning? Cite and analyze at least three passages in your response.

3. Consider the poem’s frame story. How does juxtaposition with the wedding festivities underscore the themes present in the Mariner’s story?

4. Most albatross species today are in danger of going extinct (you can read more about the threats they face in this Smithsonian article). How does “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” depict the relationship between humans and the environment, and in what ways is that message relevant today?

5. Read William Wordsworth’s poem “I wandered lonely as a Cloud.