Rime+of+the+Ancient+Mariner

** //The Rime of the Ancient Mariner// **

One of Coleridge's mystery poems, //The Rime// encompasses many features of the Gothic style of writing that fascinated the Romantics. HIs most compelling feature is the use of the supernatural in the poem, which reflects and influences the Mariner's actions. Considered by many as a "horror ballad', the poem adopts many qualities of a simple narrative - with an obvious orientation, complication, climax, resolution and coda.

Many editions include a Latin epigraph with the poem, which acts as the poem's semi-thesis. The epigraph is a Latin quote from Burnett's "Archaeologiae Philosophicae" (1692).

Coleridge's translation of this quote can be found here:

Click here to view a collection of images to accompany the tale:

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Click here for glossary of key terms used in the poem:

Click here for a summary of each of the parts of the poem:

Coleridge The Romantic Period The Rime of the Ancient Mariner - Analysis The Rime of the Ancient Mariner & Romanticism