Coleridge: Rime of Ancient Mariner

Albatross as a Symbol of Christ:

In "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," the albatross is like how Christians see Christ. At
first, the sailors think the albatross is good luck, bringing them nice winds. But when the
mariner kills it without thinking, it's like how Jesus was innocent and helpful but suffered
unfairly. This shows themes like doing wrong things, making up for them, and facing what
happens because of our actions. It makes the poem talk more about morals and spirituality.

The Punishment and Redemption Theme:

In "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," the story of the mariner's journey teaches us a moral
lesson, like in Christian stories. When the mariner shoots the albatross, he brings a curse
upon himself and his crew. After that, he's forced to wander around, feeling sorry for what
he's done, and telling his story to others. This is a lot like the Christian idea of doing
something wrong, being punished for it, and then having the chance to make things right
again by admitting your mistakes and sharing your experiences with others.

Coleridge: Rime of Ancient Mariner 1