The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner

Birds are often important signs in literature. Western tradition has associated doves with the Holy Spirit, a part of the Trinity in Christian tradition. In the Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Coleridge uses the symbol of the albatross to convey the mariner’s journey toward salvation.
This theme is imparted early on in the poem. The sailors welcome the albatross as a sign of good omen(Coleridge 64). Practically, its presence suggests there may be food nearby. Described as a Christian bird, it alludes to Noah’s flood story from Genesis. Ironically, the albatross allows the mariner’s boat to continue sailing, unlike Noah’s promise of dry land. The ice cracked so that the ship could pass through the water right after the bird appeared, allowing for
'”God save thee, ancient Mariner’(79) foreshadows the mariner’s need for salvation. He has committed a grave sin, murdering one of God’s creation. For unknown reasons, he shoots the albatross with a crossbow(82). This crime shows his selfish desire to destroy what is most precious to the crew, their symbol of hope. His shipmates mourn the loss of possibility, for the albatross brought the wind, allowing the boat to sail onward(94). Indeed, the bird does symbolize the end of their lives, for all two hundred men shall fall dead and it seems as if the mariner has killed them as well(220). Shortly after their luck turns sour, they place the burden of the albatross around the mariner’s neck so that he may feel the load upon his shoulders(142). This bird is compared to a cross, while viewed as mere decoration today was once symbolic of Christ’s burden of the sins of the world. Romans used crucifixion as a way to ensure torture upon those who had committed a serious crime. The mariner carries a physiological burden upon himself throughout the remainder of the poem. “And I had done an hellish thing” reveals the recognition of his sin. Sin conveys a transgression against God, appropriate in this situation because of the mention of hell a place of suffering. The mariner has been caught “red
The albatross, as a suffering servant, offering hope to troubled souls, has been executed. The mariner carries the burden of sin and guilt upon his shoulders, only it is his own. Spirits come and declare he is guilty and must suffer further for what he has done(410). These voices haunt him yet no one else can hear them. Therefore, they are a part of the mariner’s subconscious and He misses God’s presence because he fails to appreciate His creation. Similarly, Christ cries out "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" (which means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?(New International Version, Mt. 27:46)". Both are alone and feel God has abandoned them. Yet the mariner’s story does not end here. He sees a glimpse of hope in the hermit. “He’ll shrieve my soul, he’ll wash away The Albatross’s blood(Coleridge 513-514)” This hermit should free him from his guilt and bring redemption. In a concrete way, this does happen. The mariner’s ship sinks, leaving him without his safety net. He cannot be freed from the agony of guilt on his own. Instead, he must turn to the hermit and be saved. He becomes a part of the crew as he rows the pilot’s