Summary:
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is a narrative poem that tells the story of an old mariner who stops a wedding guest to recount his harrowing sea voyage. The mariner and his crew set sail but are soon met with misfortune when he kills an albatross, a bird considered a good omen. This act brings a curse upon the ship, leading to supernatural events, the suffering of the crew, and their eventual demise. The mariner, the only survivor, is condemned to wander the earth, compelled to share his cautionary tale.
The poem explores themes of sin, redemption, and the power of nature. It employs rich imagery, supernatural elements, and moral lessons, emphasizing the consequences of disrupting the natural order. The mariner’s journey from guilt to spiritual awakening highlights the importance of respecting all living things.
MCQs:
- Who wrote The Rime of the Ancient Mariner?
A) William Wordsworth
B) Samuel Taylor Coleridge
C) John Keats
D) Percy Bysshe Shelley
Answer: B) Samuel Taylor Coleridge - What brings misfortune upon the mariner and his crew?
A) A violent storm
B) Killing an albatross
C) Running out of food
D) A pirate attack
Answer: B) Killing an albatross
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner - How does the crew initially react to the mariner killing the albatross?
A) They celebrate his bravery
B) They scold him but later justify the act
C) They throw him overboard
D) They abandon ship
Answer: B) They scold him but later justify the act - Which supernatural figures appear in the poem?
A) Ghosts and witches
B) Angels and demons
C) Death and Life-in-Death
D) Mermaids and sea monsters
Answer: C) Death and Life-in-Death - What punishment does the mariner receive?
A) He is forced to sail forever
B) He must tell his story endlessly
C) He turns into a ghost
D) He is locked in a prison
Answer: B) He must tell his story endlessly - What lesson does the mariner learn by the end of the poem?
A) The sea is dangerous and should be avoided
B) One must fear supernatural beings
C) Love and respect for all living things is crucial
D) Revenge is necessary for survival
Answer: C) Love and respect for all living things is crucial - What natural phenomenon paralyzes the ship after the mariner kills the albatross?
A) A hurricane
B) A complete lack of wind
C) A giant tidal wave
D) An earthquake
Answer: B) A complete lack of wind - What is the fate of the ship’s crew?
A) They are rescued by a passing vessel
B) They slowly starve to death
C) They fall overboard during a storm
D) They die suddenly when cursed
Answer: D) They die suddenly when cursed - How is the mariner finally freed from his curse?
A) He prays and blesses the sea creatures
B) A priest forgives him
C) The albatross is reborn
D) He finds treasure on an island
Answer: A) He prays and blesses the sea creatures - What does the mariner wear around his neck as a symbol of guilt?
A) A gold chain
B) The albatross
C) A black ribbon
D) A sailor’s rope
Answer: B) The albatross
| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | The Rime of the Ancient Mariner |
| Author | Samuel Taylor Coleridge |
| Year Published | 1798 |
| Literary Movement | Romanticism |
| Main Themes | Sin, Redemption, Supernatural, Nature |
| Narrative Style | Frame Narrative |
| Symbolism | Albatross (Guilt), Sea (Nature’s Power), Life-in-Death (Eternal Suffering) |
| Structure | Ballad form, Quatrains, Varying Rhyme Scheme |
| Famous Line | “Water, water, everywhere, Nor any drop to drink.” |
| Moral Lesson | Respect and love all living things |
| Influence | Inspired Gothic and Romantic literature |