The Summary of “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by S T Coleridge
One evening three guests were going to a marriage party, one
of them was stopped by an Ancient Mariner who insisted on telling a story which
is full of supernatural interest.
Once the ancient mariner and his companions were sailing in a
ship, they were overtaken by a storm and driven to the South Pole. The ship was surrounded by icebergs. After some time, an Albatross came up and
became friendly with the sailors. It was
a bird of good omen; the ice broke and good wind arose from the south. The ship moved and the great bird followed in
fog and snow; but then the old mariner shot the bird with the cross bow. The sailors became angry because they
believed that it would bring the curse, but then they praised the old man and
became partners in the sin.
The ship moved and they crossed the pacific and came to
equator; the days became calm and the chip could not move and stood as a
painted ship on a painted ocean. The
supply of fresh water ran out and they were all dying of thirst. They were cursed, and the carcass of the
albatross was hung around the neck of the ancient mariner.
The same went on for days, the sailors were dying of thirst;
there was salt water all around but not a single drop to drink. The sun was merciless. It became blistering hot. The slimy creatures of the sea rose to the
rotting waters. The sailors suffered,
and they accused the old mariner for their plight.
After several days of torment they saw a sail. The ancient mariner bit his arm and drank his
own blood and shouted with joy “A sail”.
It was a ghostly ship that moved on the still sea without wind or tide. The sailors on the ship were spell-bound, and
when the ghost ship came nearer, they saw a female monster named ‘Life-in-death’ who had red lips,
yellow hair and leprous skin. She was
playing a game of dice with her companion named Death-in-life. She won the
life of all sailors except the life of the ancient mariner. The old sailor was won by Death-in-life. Therefore he could not die but was left
to suffer the life of torture.
Death soon claimed his victims and the sailors were dying one
by one, and the ancient mariner was left alone to suffer the horrors and
torments of life-in-death. He was denied
the luxury of death. The slimy creatures
were alive; his companions were lying dead on the deck; he tried to pray but
the fountain of prayer was dried up and the curse of the dead sailors increased
his agony. Cold sweat dropped from the dead
bodies of the sailors, their eyes were open, and the ancient mariner had to pay
for his sin.
For seven days he remained in this wretched condition; he had
no company except that of the moon and the stars; the water snakes played
around in the water, and the moon beams shined on their bodies. Love began to gush from his heart and he
blessed those creatures. He then
realised he could pray. The load of sin
was lifted and the spell was broken. The
dead albatross dropped from his neck, and he fell into a deep sleep. When he woke up his thirst was quenched and
the wind was blowing. The dead sailors
came back to life because the troop of the angels animated the dead
bodies. The spirit of the South Pole
obeyed the angels and carried the ship, and it was filled with their music and
then they disappeared.
The old sailor again fell into sleep and heard two voices in
his dream; one was the voice of justice that demanded the punishment for
killing the albatross; the other was the voice of mercy that pleaded for the
ancient mariner and pointed out that he had suffered and done enough
penance. When the old man woke up, he
found his companions alive, the ship moving, and they came to their native
shore. It was the night-time, the
harbour was bathed in moonlight; and the light-house, as well as the church on
the hill-top were shining, he fell on his knees and prayed. The angelic spirits (Seraphs) waved their hands
and disappeared.
Then a boat from the harbour came; it contained a pilot, the
pilot’s boy and a hermit. When they
neared there was a big noise and the ancient mariner’s ship went down. But the old sailor was rescued; but his
strange appearance threw the pilot into a fit, and the hermit was shaken. They all began to pray for protection against
evil.
The ancient mariner took charge of the boat and brought it to
the shore. He begged of the hermit to
listen to his strange story and grant him absolution. The ancient mariner’s sin was not expiated
and he felt the agony that tormented his soul.
He travelled from place to place, and became a wanderer. He could find solace and relief when he told
his story to someone.
The ancient mariner finished his tale and pointed out to the
wedding-guest the lesson from his strange story; the best prayer is that which embodies the love of all creatures, great
and small, made by God, who loves us all.
“He prayeth best
All things, both great and small
For the dear God, who loveth us,
He made them and loveth all.”
END