Ancient Mariner Assessment - Short Essay

Ancient Mariner Assessment In the two epic poems published by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, “Christabel” and “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, share many comparisons. At the same time, both poems share many contractions. It may be by the cause of the different genres, settings and or because of the figurative language that is used. At the same time, both poems share similar characteristics. Despite the differences and similarities, Coleridge managed to add a form of Romanticisms in many of his poems. Romanticisms actually began in the mid- 18th century and reached its peak in the 19th century. Romantic literature in the 19th century withholds the ideals of the time period, emotion, nature etc. The actual definition of romanticism is a movement of literature and the fine arts. Romanticism is used in many ways. Coleridge took use in romanticism by adding emphasis in his imagination of his poems and by stepping out of the box by exposing miscellaneous pictures such as those found in “Rime”. He idealized the emptiness of the city, including many feelings and expanding the joy of nature in his own way. This is a form of romanticism. The poems “Christabel” and “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” both explore conflicting issues in philosophy and religious piety. Coleridge focused on the knowledge in nature, existence and reality in both poems. He also included religious references towards both poems. Although he did not focus on an exact religion, he attached a Christian concept of sin, redemption and punishment. Moreover, in both poems, there was an augment amount of personification used. As an example, in the poem “Christabel” it quotes, “The thin gray cloud is spread on high; it covers but not hides the sky.” Referring to how gray the cloud is. As for “Rime” it quotes, “The Sun came up upon the left, out of the sea came he!” which is comparing the sun to a person. All while the poem “Christabel” and” Rime of the Ancient Mariner” share many comparisons, there are contrasts involved between the two. For an example, “Christabel” is a prime example of a gothic genre. It contains dark scenery and a hint of the supernatural. These components make “Christabel” a gothic poem hidden beneath a romantic mask. Whereas in the surface, “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” plays with a tale of crime, punishment and mysticism. In relation to the classical poems of “Christabel” and “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, both tales share many characteristics while also differing in certain properties. It may be the change of settings or the form of writing that contrast the two. It may also be the religious views and philosophy views that compare the two. Either way both poems share many similarities and dissimilarities. Furthermore, Samuel Taylor Coleridge enhances his use of romanticism in both poems which makes his poems one of a kind.