The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Autosaved · The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Read the following...

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1 The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Read the following extracts and answer the questions. (1) “The bridegroom’s doors are opened wide, And I am next of kin The guests are met, the feast is set : May’st hear the merry din”. (a) Who is next of kin? Ans : The wedding guest is next of kin. (b) Why is the wedding guest helpless and restless? Ans : He is eager to join the wedding party. (c) What does ‘merry din’ refer to? Ans : The noise of celebration and festivities. (2) “He holds him with his glittering eye The wedding guest stood still And listens like a three-year old child The mariner hath his will”. (a) Why does the mariner hold him? Ans : The mariner holds the wedding guest as he is reluctant to listen to the mariner. (b) Explain the figure of speech in line 3. Ans : Simile (c) What is the mariner’s will? Ans : The mariner wants to hold the guest and share his tales of misery. (3) The ship was cheered, the harbour cleared Merrily did we drop Below the kirk, below the hill Below the light-house top. (a) On what note does the journey begin? Ans : The journey begins with optimism and cheering. (b) What sights were seen on the way? Ans : They saw a hill, a lighthouse when the ship cleared from the harbour. (c) Discuss the use of ‘kirk’. What effect does it create? Ans : It is an archaic word for ‘church’. It gives the poem the flavour of a traditional ballad. (4) And now the storm-blast came and he was tyrannous and strong He struck with his o’ertaking wings And chased us south along. (a) Identify the figure of speech in line 1 and 3. Ans : The storm-blast is personified as a bird with powerful wings. (b) Explain “overtaking wings” and “tyrannous”. Ans : It means powerful wings that create a horrifying effect. (c) How does the storm affect the ship? Ans : The ship was driven towards the south. (5) With sloping masts and dipping prow As who pursued with yell and blow Still treads the shadow of his foe. (a) Identify the figure of speech and explain it. Ans : It is simile and the poet says that the masts of the ship were bent and its prow dipped into the sea. (b) Explain - the last line Ans : The ship looked like a person, whose head is bent, as if he is escaping an enemy. (c) What does the description of the ship sailing suggest about the state of mind of the sailors on it? Ans : The sailors were very confused and frightened. (6) At length did cross an Albatross, Through the fog it come;

Transcript of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Autosaved · The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Read the following...

Page 1: The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Autosaved · The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Read the following extracts and answer the questions. (1) “The bridegroom’s doors are opened wide,

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The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Read the following extracts and answer the questions.

(1) “The bridegroom’s doors are opened wide,

And I am next of kin

The guests are met, the feast is set :

May’st hear the merry din”.

(a) Who is next of kin?

Ans : The wedding guest is next of kin.

(b) Why is the wedding guest helpless and restless?

Ans : He is eager to join the wedding party.

(c) What does ‘merry din’ refer to?

Ans : The noise of celebration and festivities.

(2) “He holds him with his glittering eye

The wedding guest stood still

And listens like a three-year old child

The mariner hath his will”.

(a) Why does the mariner hold him?

Ans : The mariner holds the wedding guest as he is reluctant to listen to the mariner.

(b) Explain the figure of speech in line 3.

Ans : Simile

(c) What is the mariner’s will?

Ans : The mariner wants to hold the guest and share his tales of misery.

(3) The ship was cheered, the harbour cleared

Merrily did we drop

Below the kirk, below the hill

Below the light-house top.

(a) On what note does the journey begin?

Ans : The journey begins with optimism and cheering.

(b) What sights were seen on the way?

Ans : They saw a hill, a lighthouse when the ship cleared from the harbour.

(c) Discuss the use of ‘kirk’. What effect does it create?

Ans : It is an archaic word for ‘church’. It gives the poem the flavour of a traditional ballad.

(4) And now the storm-blast came and he

was tyrannous and strong

He struck with his o’ertaking wings

And chased us south along.

(a) Identify the figure of speech in line 1 and 3.

Ans : The storm-blast is personified as a bird with powerful wings.

(b) Explain “overtaking wings” and “tyrannous”.

Ans : It means powerful wings that create a horrifying effect.

(c) How does the storm affect the ship?

Ans : The ship was driven towards the south.

(5) With sloping masts and dipping prow

As who pursued with yell and blow

Still treads the shadow of his foe.

(a) Identify the figure of speech and explain it.

Ans : It is simile and the poet says that the masts of the ship were bent and its prow dipped into the sea.

(b) Explain - the last line

Ans : The ship looked like a person, whose head is bent, as if he is escaping an enemy.

(c) What does the description of the ship sailing suggest about the state of mind of the sailors on it?

Ans : The sailors were very confused and frightened.

(6) At length did cross an Albatross,

Through the fog it come;

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As if it had been a Christian soul

We hailed it in God’s name.

(a) Explain – ‘did cross an Albatross’.

Ans : An Albatross appeared near the ship.

(b) Why was the albatross hailed as a Christian soul?

Ans : It was hailed as a Christian soul because it brought hope like Jesus.

(c) What blessings did the albatross bring?

Ans : It appeared to be like a good omen and ushered in hope.

(7) “God save thee, ancient Mariner

From the friends, that plague thee thus !

Why look’st thou so?” with my cross-bow

I shot the Albatross”

(a) Identify the speaker of the first two lines.

Ans : The wedding guest speaks these lines.

(b) What has been the speaker compelled to do?

Ans : The wedding guest has been forced to hear the mariner’s tale of sin and suffering.

(c) What was the Mariner’s crime? Why did he do so?

Ans : The mariner’s crime was killing of the albatross for no reason.

PART 2(8) The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew

The furrow followed free

We were the first that ever burst

Into the silent sea

(a) Discuss the poetic device in the first two lines. Discuss the effect created.

Ans : Alliteration and repetition enhances the poetic and musical effect.

(b) Explain – the furrow followed free.

Ans : ‘Furrow’ is used as a metaphor, it means a groove that is made while ploughing the fields. The waves make this kind of pattern in

the water and ship moves smoothly.

(c) What happened when the sailors reached there?

Ans : They were trapped and stuck in a silent and lonely part of the sea.

(9) Day after day, day after day

We struck, nor breath nor motion,

As idle as a painter ship

Upon a painted ocean.

(a) Why are the words repeated in the first sentence? Discuss their effect.

Ans : The repetition conveys a sheer length of time that passed.

(b) Who were struck and where?

Ans : The ship and sailors of the ancient mariner’s ship were struck in the middle of the silent sea.

(c) What effect does the literary device of the last line create?

Ans : The last line is a simile and it pictorially describes a becalmed ship on a still ocean.

(10) About, about, in reel and rout

The death fires danced at night

The water, like a witches oils,

Burnt green, and blue and white.

(a) Explain – ‘reel’ and ‘rout’.

Ans : ‘Reel’ and ‘rout’ are dance movements and here there describe the circulatory motion of the fires.

(b) What do the death fires represent

Ans : They represent the evil forces or death.

(c) Discuss the simile given in the last two lines.

Ans : The reference is to Shakespeare’s three witches of Macbeth. The water seems to be sparkling with different colours. This is an

element of supernaturalism.

More Extract Based Questions and Answers

1. ‘It is an ancient Mariner,

And he stoppeth one of three.

‘By thy long grey beard and

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grey glittering eye, How wherefore

stopp’st thou me?

(a) Whom does the Ancient Mariner stop?

Ans. The Ancient Mariner stopped one of the three wedding guests.

(b) Why does he stop the wedding guest?

Ans. The mariner is compelled to narrate his story and to admit the wrong he has done and he needs someone to listen to him.

(c) What are the chief features of the Mariner’s appearance? Why has the poet described hi in this way?

Or

What was his appearance like? What effect did it cast on the beholder?

Ans. The chief features of the Mariner’s personality are his long grey beard glittering eye that holds the wedding guest mesmerized.

The poet has him in this way to show his hypnotic power over the guest.

(d) What do you mean by ‘glittering eyes’?

Ans.- Shining eyes.

2. ‘The Bridegroom’s doors are

opened wide, and I am next of kin;

The guests are met, the feast is set:

May’st hear the merry din.’

(a) Why is the wedding guest restless? Or What made the wedding guest restless?

Ans. The wedding guest is restless as he can hear the wedding song in the church and he is the bridegroom’s family member. The

mariner has him captive and is forcing him to listen to his story.

(b) Why was the wedding guest in a hurry to go?

Ans. The guests had gathered for the wedding he could hear the noise of the festivities.

(c) Who was stopping him from going?

Ans. The Ancient Mariner was stopping him from going.

(d) What does the speaker mean by ‘kin’ ?

Ans. (iii) He means the members of his family.

3, ‘He holds him with his skinny hand,

‘There was a ship,’ quoth he.

‘Hold off! unhand me, grey-beard loon!

‘ Eftsoons his hand dropt he.’

(a) Who is ‘he’ in the first line? Whom does he hold?

Ans. The Ancient Mariner is being referred to, in the first line. He is holding the wedding guest.

(b) Why does the Ancient Mariner immediately start on the story?

Ans. The Ancient Mariner is guilty of having killed an innocent albatross. He wants to assuage his guilt by confessing the crime to

someone. It is also a part of his penance.

(C)Explain: ‘unhand me

Ans. ‘Remove your hand; do not hold me.’ This is said by the Wedding Guest who is stopped by the Ancient Mariner.

(d) Who is referred as grey-beard loon? What do you mean by ‘grey beard loon’?

Ans. Ancient Mariner is referred as grey-beard loon. It means grey-beard mad man.

4. ‘He holds him with his glittering eye—

The Wedding-Guest stood still,

And listens like a three years’ child:

The Mariner hath his will’

(a) How does the Ancient Mariner stop the Wedding Guest? OR How did the mariner hold the guest now?

Ans. The compelling look in the eyes of the mariner held him.

(b) Why does the Wedding Guest not wish to listen to the Mariner’s story?

Ans. The Wedding Guest is going to a wedding and is getting late. He can hear the sound of the merrymaking and wants to be a part of

the wedding festivities.

Ans. The Wedding Guest listens spellbound to the Mariner’s story. He is powerless to resist him.

(d) What effect did it have on the guest?

Ans.- He could not move as the look in the eyes of the mariner caused a hypnotic effect.

(e) Who hath his will and what do you mean by `hath his will’?

Ans. (iii) Ancient Mariner hath his will by forcing the wedding guest to hear his story. It means he got what he wanted.

5. ‘The Wedding-Guest sat on a stone:

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He cannot choose but hear;

And thus spake on that ancient man,

The bright-eyed Mariner.’

(a) Where did the wedding-guest sit?

Ans.- He sat on a stone.

(b) What does the expression ‘bright-eyed’ signify?

Ans. The expression ‘bright-eyed’ signifies the glittering eye of the Mariner which held the Wedding Guest mesmerised and he was

forced to listen to the story of the Mariner.

(c) What does the expression ‘sat on a stone’ signify?

Ans. ‘Sat on a stone’ shows that the Wedding Guest had no choice but to listen to the Mariner’s story.

(d) The Wedding Guest is not left with any choice but to listen to the Mariner because:

Ans. The look in the Mariner’s eye held him captive.

6. ‘The ship was cheered, the harbour cleared,

Merrily did we drop

Below the kirk, below the hill,

Below the lighthouse top.’

(a) What was the day like when they started their journey?

Ans. -The day was bright and cheerful, everything started smoothly.

(b) Explain: ‘drop:

Ans. It means they set sail with the ebbing tide.

(c) What sights did the sailors see as they started on their journey? OR What were the things they passed by? How did they feel?

Ans. In a good mood, they started and passed by the church, the hill and the lighthouse.

(d) In which direction did they set sail? Give a reason for your answer.

Ans. They set sail southwards. The sun rose from the left.

(e) What is the meaning of ‘merrily’?

Ans.- Merrily means happily.

7. ‘The Sun came up upon the left,

Out of the sea came he!

And he shone bright, and on the right

Went down into the sea.’

(a) Why is the narrator compelled to narrate the story?

Ans. The Ancient Mariner is compelled to confess his sin to assuage his guilt and as a part of his penance.

(b) Who is listening to the story?

Ans. The Wedding Guest is listening to the story.

(c)Why was he prompted to beat his breast?

Ans. The wedding guest beat his breast because the wedding festivities had started but he was compelled to listen to the story of the

Ancient Mariner.

(d) When the sun comes up upon the left which direction are we heading for?

Ans. We are going in the southern direction.

(e) What was the weather like?

Ans. – The weather was moderate and the days were passing in a normal manner.

(f) What do the lines in this stanza signify?

Ans. -The journey is going on smoothly without any untoward happening.

8. ‘Higher and higher every day,

Till over the mast at noon—

‘ The Wedding-Guest here beat his breast,

For he heard the loud bassoon.’

(a) What rose higher and higher every day? Where were they when it was ‘over the mast at noon’?

OR What do the first two lines signify? What is meant by ‘higher and higher’?

Ans. With each passing day the sun was becoming hotter at noon, it was at its peak. They were at the equator.

(b) What is the wedding-guest doing? And why?

Ans.- The wedding guest is beating his breast for he has heard the sound of the bassoon, a musical instrument. He is feeling helpless

because he is sitting and listening to the story of the mariner

(c) Why did the Wedding Guest ‘beat his breast’?

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Ans. The Wedding Guest could hear the sound of merrymaking and could imagine the bride entering the hall signifying that the

wedding was over.

(d) What is a bassoon?

Ans. A bassoon is a musical instrument that is played by blowing into a long wooden tube while pressing metal keys.

9. ‘The bride hath paced into the hall,

Red as a rose is she;

Nodding their heads before her goes

The merry minstrelsy’

(a) What is happening at the wedding place?

Ans. The bride has come into the hall.

(b) Where is the Wedding Guest?

Ans. The Wedding Guest is sitting on a stone and listening to the Ancient Mariner’s story.

(c) Who are the minstrelsy? What are they doing? OR

What do you understand by merry minstrelsy? Why did they nod their head?

Ans. The happy band of musicians, playing their music are walking past the bride and are nodding their head in approval and

appreciation of the beautiful bride.

(d) What did the loud music convey?

Ans. The loud music was played to announce the arrival of the bride inside the wedding-hall.

(e) How is the beauty of the bride described?

Ans. – She was as lovely and beautiful as a rose.

10. ‘The Wedding-Guest he beat his breast,

Yet he cannot choose but hear;

And thus spake on that ancient man,

The bright-eyed Mariner.’

(a) Why has the poet repeated the line: ‘he cannot choose but hear?

Ans. The line is repeated to show the hypnotic power which the Mariner exerts over the Wedding Guest and how he has been forced

to hear the story.

(b) How does the Mariner hold the Wedding Guest?

The Mariner holds him with the hypnotic power of his glittering eye.

(c) What is the mariner telling the Wedding Guest?

Ans.- The Mariner is telling him the story of the fateful voyage when he killed the albatross.

(d) What was the reaction of the wedding-guest?

Ans.- In utter helplessness, he started beating his breast.

(e) What do you mean by bright-eyed?

Ans. – Bright-eyed means shining eyed.

(f) What did the mariner do? Was he happy?

Ans. The mariner narrated his story. The bright look signifies he was happy because he had found a listener to his story.

11. ‘And now the storm-blast came, and he

Was tyrannous and strong:

He struck with his o’ertaking wings,

And chased us south along.’

(a) What happened in the story of the mariner?

Ans. Suddenly there came a very strong and powerful storm.

(b) What is the meaning of tyrannous?

Ans. Severe and harsh.

(c) What did it do to the ship? Where was the ship taken?

Ans. It overpowered the ship completely and the helpless ship was chased southward. Here, the storm is personified as a huge bird

with large wings.

(d) Who is ‘he’ in the above lines? How is he described?

Ans.- The storm is being referred to as ‘he’ in the above lines. The storm is described as being a large bird that is tyrannical and strong.

The wind created by its large wings pushed the ship southwards.

(e) Why has he been called tyrannous’?

Ans.- The storm took control over the ship and pushed it in the southward direction.

(f) Point out the figure of speech in ‘o’ertaking wings:

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Ans. – Personification is being used here. The storm has been personified as a powerful bird with large wings which takes total control

of the ship.

(g) What kind of sea storm is it?

Ans. – Powerful and pitiless

12. ‘With sloping masts and dipping prow,

As who pursued with yell and blow

Still treads the shadow of his foe,

And forward bends his head,

The ship drove fast, loud roared the blast,

The southward aye we fled.’

(a) How are the two, ‘ship’ and the ‘storm’ described here?

Ans. The poet has personified the ship as someone running away from the storm, which has been personified as the powerful enemy

who is chasing the ship.

(b) What is the meaning of tread?

Ans. – It means to walk or to follow.

(c) What is the storm described as? What is the ship personified as?

Ans. – The storm is described as an enemy who is very powerful. The ship is personified as a man running away from his enemy who is

pursuing him.

(d) Explain: ‘Still treads the shadow of his foe.’

Ans. – This line means to walk in the shadow of your enemy and not getting away from him. Here it refers to the ship being unable to

get out of the storm.

(e) In which direction did the storm push them?

Ans. – The storm pushed them towards the South Pole.

13. ‘And now there came both mist and snow,

And it grew wondrous cold;

And ice, mast-high, came floating by,

As green as emerald.’

(a) Describe the land of mist and snow. OR

What was the place like?

Ans. – The land was covered by mist and snow and was extremely cold. Large floated past the ship. There were snowy cliffs all around.

The sailor’s cot; sign of men or beasts.

(b) How had the poet described the extent of cold in the place?

Ans. – There was ice as high as the mast, it came floating by in the atmosphere. The ice pieces shone and looked like green emeralds

everywhere.

(c) What is the meaning of emerald?

Ans. – Green colour precious stone.

(d) Where were the mariners at this point?

Ans. – The mariners were at the South Pole.

14. ‘And through the drifts the snowy clifts

Did send a dismal sheen:

Nor shapes of men nor beasts we ken—

The ice was all between’

(a) Explain: ‘the drifts:

Ans. – The ‘drifts’ refer to icebergs.

(b) Explain: ‘dismal sheen:

Ans. – The shine of the icebergs, though they were as bright as emeralds, the spread sadness in the hearts of the beholders because

they had blocked their way to escape.

(c) What did they see amidst all this? How did they welcome it?

Ans. – They saw an albatross. They welcomed it in God’s name as if it were a Christian soul. They played with it, offered it food and

considered it a harbinger of hope’

15. The ice was here, the ice was there,

The ice was all around:

It cracked and growled, and roared and howled,

Like noises in a swound!’

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(a) Where was the Mariners’ ship stuck?

Ans. – The mariner’s was stuck in the ice in the polar region.

(b) What figure of speech has been used in the first two lines? What effect does it create?

Ans. – Repetition is being used in the first two lines. It emphasizes the fact that huge icebergs surrounded the ship and kept it from

moving.

(c) What sort of a noise did the ice make? What figure of speech is used here?

Ans. – The ice made noises as if a person was having a fainting fit. The figures of speech used here are onomatopoeia and

personification.

(d) What do you mean by `swound’?

Ans.- `Swound’ means fainting fit.

16. ‘At length did cross an Albatross,

Through the fog it came,

As if it had been a Christian soul,

We hailed it in God’s name.’

(a) Why were the mariners relieved to see the albatross?

Ans. – The mariners were relieved to see the albatross because they the ice for many days and had not seen any living being. But at

the albatross the ice split and a good wind sprang up behind finally leave the polar region.

(b) Point out the figure of speech in the above lines.

Ans. – Simile is being used in the line—’As if it had been a Christians

17. ‘It ate the food it ne’er had eat,

And round and round it flew.

The ice did split with a thunder-fit;

The helmsman steered us through!’

(a) Why had the albatross not eaten the food it was now given before?

Ans. -The albatross was used to eating fish from the sea. It had never eaten the cooked food that the mariners gave it.

(b) How did the weather change with its arrival?

Ans. -The ice cracked and the navigator could steer the ship away from the land of ice and snow.

(c) What did the albatross do with the sailors?

Ans. -The albatross came whenever the sailors called it and flew round the ship playing with the mariners. It also accepted the food

they offered it.

(d) What was offered to the bird?

Ans. The sailors offered the bird food that it had never eaten before.

(e) How did the bird reciprocate?

Ans. -It flew round and round the ship. Due to the bird’s wings, the ice cracked, making way for the ship to move ahead.

(f) What do you mean by ‘thunder-fit’?

Ans. – ‘Thunder-fit’ means like a thundering sound.

18. ‘And a good south wind sprung up behind;

The Albatross did follow,

And every day, for food or play,

Came to the mariners’ hollo’!’

(a) In which direction did the south wind take the mariners? OR In which direction is the ship moving now?

Ans. -The wind took them towards the north.

(b) What was the attitude of the sailors towards the bird?

Ans. -The sailors were fond of the bird. They fed it and played with it. They considered it a bird of good omen.

(c) Explain: ‘HoIIo’

Ans. – ‘Hollo’ implies a call out to someone.

(d) What did the Albatross do?

Ans. -It followed the ship.

19. ‘In mist or cloud, on mast or shroud,

It perched for vespers nine;

Whiles all the night, through fog-smoke white,

Glimmered the white Moon-shine.’

(a) For how many days did the albatross accompany the sailors?

Ans. -The albatross accompanied them for nine days.

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(b) Where did the albatross sit?

The albatross sat on the mast and on the sails of the ship.

(c) Explain: ‘Whiles all the night, through fog-smoke white, / Glimmered the white Moon-shine.’

Ans. – At night the ship was surrounded by a thick fog and the moon shone intermittently and faintly through the fog.

(d) What became a routine? Where did the bird sit?

Ans. – Irrespective of the weather, the bird would come and sit either on the mast or the sails.

(e) ‘It perched for vespers nine’ — Explain.

Ans. – It became a regular visitor and would come exactly at nine o’clock when service in the church started.

(f) What did the bird do then?

Ans. – It would remain there throughout the foggy night and outside, the moon shone faintly.

20. ‘God save thee, ancient Mariner!

From the fiends, that plague thee thus! —

Why look’st thou so?’—With my cross-bow

I shot the Albartross’

(a) Who speaks the first three lines?

Ans. -The Wedding Guest speaks the first three lines.

(b) Why does the Wedding Guest interrupt the Mariner?

Ans. -The Wedding Guest sees an expression of horror and anguish on the face of the Mariner. He is frightened by the look and wants

to know why the Mariner has that look on his face.

(c) What has the Mariner done?

Ans. -The Mariner had shot the albatross with his crossbow.

(d) What do you mean by ‘fiends’?

Ans. – ‘Fiends’ means devils or evil spirits.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner (Part –I) CBSE-CLASS-X-ENGLISH TEXTBOOK SOLUTIONS

1) How did the ancient mariner stop the wedding guests?

Answer-Supernaturalism being a common phenomenon, Coleridge has made extensive use of supernaturalism through the character

of the mariner who at the outset of the poem stops the wedding guest with his long grey beard and enchanting magical eyes.

2) Was the wedding guest happy to be stopped? Give reason for your answer.

Answer- Annoyed was the wedding guests when he was forcefully stopped by the mariner just before the wedding house. His being

frustrated and angry is well exposed when we discover him addressing the mariner as ‘grey beard loon ‘ and when we find him to beat

his breast for the inability of attaining the marriage ceremony.

3) Describe the ancient mariner.

Answer- The ancient mariner as delineated by Coleridge was a mysterious character with enchanting powers with grey beard in the

middle age. Bright eyes with skinny physic, he suited the best to mystical atmosphere.

4) How does the mariner describe the movement of the ship as it sails away from the land?

Answer- Having the control over the wedding guest when the mariner starts the description of their voyage, they were found to be in

the hilarious mood. They began their journey off the harbor and passed by the hills, Kirk and the light house top and they were sent

off by all with prayers and best wishes.

5) What kind of weather did the sailors enjoy at the beginning of their journey ? how has it been expressed in the poem?

Answer- The weather was all together sunny and positive. Rising up on the left the sun shone brightly and went over the mast to set

down at the right into the sea. Altogether the weather was an optimistic and positive one for all the sailors on the ship.

6) How did the sailors reach the land of mist and snow?

Answer- On the way of their journey the ship along with the mariners were caught up in a violent storm which forced the ship to move

to the extreme south and eventually brought to the land of mist and snow. The storm being one of the strongest one put the ship off

its target and brought to the land of mist and snow.

7) How does the mariner express the fact that the ship was completely surrounded by ice bergs?

Answer- Vivid was the delineation when we are acquainted with the snowy atmosphere due to the presence of ice bergs everywhere.

The words like the drifts, cliffs, dismal sheen suggest an atmosphere filled with ice bergs. The delineation depicts ice everywhere and

the movement of the ship breaking the icebergs.

8) How do we know that the albatross was not afraid of the humans? Why did the sailors hail it in god’s name?

Answer- In the land of mist and snow the mariners came across with the albatross bird. Different it was from all other birds as it did

not have any fear and hesitation to come in the affinity of the humans. It was at ease when it was playing with mariners and eating the

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food provided by the mariners. The sailors considered the albatross bird to be an Christian soul, so they hailed the bird in the God’s

name.

9) What was the terrible deed done by the mariner? Why do you think he did it?

Answer- “A bolt from the blue” was the incident when all on a sudden the mariner brought an end to the existence of the albatross

with his mighty crossbow. This was the terrible deed accomplished by the mariner. The mariner killed the albatross because he

thought that due to the presence of the albatross they had been suffering in the land of mist and snow. He killed it because he

considered the albatross to be their bad luck.

The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner (Part –II) CBSE-CLASS-X-ENGLISH TEXTBOOK SOLUTIONS

1) In which direction did the ship start moving? How can you say?

Answer-The ship was moving from South to North. This can be affirmed when we are acquainted by the poet that sun rose from the

right and went down left into the sea. This is possible only when somebody moves from south to north.

2) Why does the mariner say that no sweet bird did follow?

Answer-As the mariner killed the albatross bird there was no other bird following the ship or the mariners. The albatross is defined to

be a bird with difference only which followed the ship and the mariner and others not.

3) How did the other mariners behave towards the Ancient Mariner at first? How many times did they change their mind about the

ancient Mariner? What does this tell us about their character?

Answer-i) At first the other mariners considered the mariner to be the culprit and criminal as he killed the albatross which was

bringing the breeze to move the ship.

ii) The mariner did change twice of their opinion

iii) As the mariners are whimsical, they had brought forth changes in their opinion for several times this shows that they are mere the

puppets of situation and consequences. They did not have their own opinion and tend to be superstitious.

4) How did the sailing conditions change after the ship had moved out of the land of mist and snow? What or who did the mariners

blame for this change?

Answer-After the mariners moved from the land of mist and snow, they started to feel a change in the weather condition. Slowly the

sun started to shine and the breeze stopped to blow leaving the ship in a motionless state. They were suffering from utter dearth of

water and positivity. They had all supernatural happenings after they had a change in weather. All other mariners who are rather

capricious blamed the mariner to be, responsible for all the happenings.

5) What indicated by the line “The bloody sun at noon/right up above the mast did stand/no bigger than the moo?

Answer-The line strongly affirms that the ship and the mariners had been near the equator. The blood like red sun was above the mast

at noon. The poet states Moon to be bigger than the Sun forcing on the scientific logic of far and near vision. The line strongly hints at

their arrival at the extreme weather situation.

6) How does the mariner describe the fact that they were completely motionless in the middle of the sea?

Answer-A vivid delineation is made by the writer to make us understand about the motionless and silent state of the ship and the sea.

He compares the motionless state with a painting where ,as if the ship has been painted on a painted sea.

7) What is the irony in the ninth stanza? Explain it.

Answer-A stupendous example of irony we got to behold where the poet conveyed that under extreme weather situation the

mariners did not have a single drop of water to drink in spite of the fact that unfathomable amount of water they had everywhere.

The irony of the lacuna of water is the most befitting one.

8) What is the narrator trying to convey through the description of the situation in the tenth and the eleventh stanza?

Answer-The poet conveyed an atmosphere which required a rational mind to grasp because of the rotten state of the underwater

vegetation, there had been slimy creatures moving on the surface of water. Either the element of phosphorous in the physic of the

creatures gave birth to different types of glowing lights or the creation of the methane gas coming in contact with the oxygen gave

birth to glowing light. The superstitious mariners considered this to be the effect of the spirit of the albatross. This atmosphere added

to the effect of blaming on the mariner for killing the albatross.

9) What or who did the mariners feel was responsible for their suffering?

Answers-The capricious mariners devoid of rational thinking and scientific knowledge blamed the mariner to be responsible for all the

misfortunes.

10) Describe the condition of the mariners as expressed in the 13th stanza.

Answer-Apart from the fear of the curse of the spirit, the dire some thirsty situation is delineated in the 13th Stanza. Their tongue in

the mouth got dried up at the root and the throat was so dry as if that was chocked with soot. All the mariners had been at the verge

of death due to dehydration.

11) Why did the mariners hang the albatross around the neck of the ancient mariner?

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Answer-Having suffered series of misfortunes all the mariners came to the conclusion that the other mariner was solely responsible

for this. As a form of punishment and insult they had hung the dead albatross around the mariner’s neck instead of the cross of the

Christ.

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner-LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

1) What is the dramatic significance of the role of the albatross in the poem ‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner’?

Ans : The albatross is the main pivot on which the whole poem hangs. The poem is an exploration of evil, both that of men and nature

and of salvation. The whole poem is based on the christian concept of sin, its punishment and redemption. The albatross is seen as a

friendly spirit, a symbol of God’s favour, bringing good results. When the mariner kills the albatross, he taints himself with sin and

loses connection with God. By destroying God’s creature, the mariner is exposed to the darker aspects of God. The albatross also

exposes the fickle-minded nature of the sailors. In the end, when the mariner prays, albatross, a symbol of sin falls from him. The

mariner is full of God’s grace. So the albatross is an instrument to expose the mariner’s sin and its redemption.

2) Whom did the mariners hold responsible for their misery? Was it correct to do so?

Ans : When the ancient mariner kills the albatross, the sailors are frightened that great evil will befall them. Killing a bird who brought

the south wind and was great company, hurts the sailors very badly. But when no punishment follows the sin, the weather improves

and the ship makes great advancement, the sailors change their opinion. But soon punishment follows, nemesis strikes them. The ship

gets stuck in the silent sea and cannot move at all for days altogether. Then they undergo spells of thirst and parched throats. They are

plagued by the polar spirit for killing the albatross. So they blame the mariner because it is their nature. They are too fickle-minded

and have ‘herd-mentality’.

3) What is a ballad? Discuss ‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ as a ballad. [C.B.S.E. 2012 (T-2)]

Ans : The poem is written in the style of a lyrical ballad. It is a narrative poem that tells a story, like other ballads. This poem also

relates a dramatic story like other ballads. The ballads are also a kind of literary form which are suitable for singing or rhythmic

chanting. This poem has a very striking and dramatic beginning in which the Wedding Guest is forcibly detained by the ancient mariner

and the dialogues between both of them are very impressive. The language is simple and the use of archaic words by Coleidge adds

authenticity to it. So the poem has all the qualities of a ballad and it is very distinguished in all respects.

4) The wedding guest’s meek and submissive nature prepares the ground for the ancient mariner’s story. Discuss. [C.B.S.E. 2012 (T-

2)]

Ans : This contention is true because if the wedding had been very dominating, maybe he would have forced his way to the wedding.

But the real truth is that the mesmerizing persona of the ancient mariner and his crazy and loony ways arrest the Wedding Guest. His

glittering eyes paralyse the wedding guest. He beats his breast but is not able to get away. Later on the power of the mariner’s

narrative spellbinds the guest. He is also influenced by the sheer strangeness of the story, it grips him somehow and he does not resist

the mariner’s force later. So, though the guest is weak, it is the mariner’s ‘charisma’ that holds him.

5) Bring out the theme of crime and punishment in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner?

Ans : The poem hinges on the nemesis of crime and punishment. Defying God leads to worse results and punishment. The poem is an

exploration of evil and of salvation. The slaughtered albatross, emerging spirits from beneath the murky spirits, slimy creatures of the

sea, all are images of sin and evil and its consequences. The whole poem is based on the Christian concept of sin, its punishment and

redemption. The albatross can be seen as a symbol of God’s favour, bringing good results. Killing of God’s creature is a sin of the

biggest order so the mariner and the crew undergo so many problems. When the mariner prays, the albatross falls off and God’s grace

shines on them and they are cleansed of their sins.

6) ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ is a first person narration of the story. Do you think this technique adds to its effectiveness?

Ans : The first-person narration is very effective in the poem. It not only creates more interest but also serves as an authentic

narration. The story told by the mariner creates a personal interest, since it happened to him only. His direct involvement can be seen

and how effectively the course of events affected him. The first person narration also gives a direct view of the character of the

person, who is telling the story. So we get a clear view of the ancient mariner’s character and also get to feel his sorrow, his regret and

his repentance with the same intensity.

7) When the Albatross arrived on the ship, the Mariners experienced a sense of joy and were infused with new hope. Comment.

[C.B.S.E. 2012 (T-2)]

Ans : When the sailors set sail, everything was favourable. The crew was given a warm farewell. The ship was sailing towards south, so

the sun appeared to be rising from the sea. It shone brightly and sank the same way. Several days out at the sea, a very fierce storm

lashed the ship with force and drove it towards south. The masts of the ship were bent and its prow dipped in the sea. It looked like a

person with his bent head before an enemy. The ship reached the region of mists and ice with icebergs, snow clapped cliffs all around.

The place was totally deserted. Then an albatross appeared through the fog. The marriners were greatly relieved at the sight of the

bird because they had not seen any living being for many days. They called albatross, a Christian soul; because after the arrival of the

bird the ice split and a good wind sprang up behind them. They were infused with a new hope and experienced a sense of joy as they

were able to leave that polar region.

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Short Answers Type Questions (PART 1)

1. How did the Ancient Mariner stop the Wedding Guest?

Ans. -The Ancient Mariner first held him with his skinny hand but once the Wedding Guest told him to ‘unhand’ him, he held him

mesmerized with his ‘glittering eye’.

2. Was the Wedding Guest happy to be stopped? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans. -The Wedding Guest was not happy to be stopped. He was next of kin of the bridegroom and wanted to attend the wedding.

3. Describe the Ancient Mariner.

Ans. -The Ancient Mariner was old and thin. His beard was grey. His eyes were shining and could mesmerise a person.

4. How does the Mariner describe the movement of the ship as it sails away from the land?

Ans. – The Mariner says that one clear and bright day, they set sail. The ship left the harbour and sailed past the church, the hill and

the lighthouse.

5. What kind of weather did the sailors enjoy at the beginning of their journey? How has it been expressed in the poem?

Ans. – The Mariner says that at first, they sailed South out into a sunny and cheerful sea which means that the weather was good. As

they sailed South towards the Equator, the sun was directly overhead.

6. How did the sailors reach the land of mist and snow?

Ans. – When the mariners were several days out at sea, however, a terrible storm arose and the vessel was driven by the wind in a

constant southerly direction, headed toward the South Pole.

7. How does the Mariner express the fact that the ship was completely surrounded by icebergs?

Ans. – ‘The ice was here, the ice was there, The ice was all around: It cracked and growled, and roared and howled, Like noises in a

swound!’

8. How do we know that the albatross was not afraid of the humans? Why did the sailors hail it in God’s name?

Ans. – It was with great relief that the crew eventually greeted the sight of an albatross, a huge seabird, flying through the fog toward

them. The bird soon became a familiar sight and came to the sailors call. The sailors revered it as a sign of good luck, as though it were

a ‘Christian soul’ sent by God to save them.

9. What was the terrible deed done by the Mariner? Why do you think he did it?

Ans. – The Ancient Mariner shot the albatross with his crossbow. The Ancient Mariner killed the albatross for no reason.

10. Why does the Ancient Mariner stop and tell his tale to the wedding guest?

Ans. He wants to relieve himself of his grief.

11. What kind of welcome did the albatross receive? Why?

Ans. -The ship had been stuck in the ice for days. There seemed to be no way out of it. The appearance of the albatross through the

fog cheered the men. They gave it food to eat and regarded it was a good omen, as the ice split soon after its arrival.

12. What was the terrible deed done by the old Mariner? Why was it terrible?

Ans. Killing of the albatross was the terrible deed; because it was an auspicious and innocent bird, who had brought a favourable

south wind for the mariners.

13. Why did the Ancient Mariner stop the particular wedding-guest to listen to his tale?

Ans. – This particular wedding-guest must have been looking at the Mariner and the mariner who was looking for someone to listen to

his story got the right person. Others probably did not pay any attention to him.

14. Why did he have to tell his tale to someone?

Ans. – He had been carrying the burden of his guilt for a very long time, or maybe he was feeling he might leave this world and did not

want to carry this burden into the other world within his heart. So, there was this need to tell his story to someone so that he could

make his exit with a light heart.

Long/ detailed answers type questions

1. Describe the Ancient Mariner OR Give a character of the ancient mariner in the poem the Rime of the Ancient Mariner.

Ans. – The mariner is old, thin with skinny hands, grey beard and glittering eyes. With the power of his eyes, he could hold the

wedding guests mesmerized. The Wedding Guest could hear the noise of the wedding festivities and is the bridegroom’s closest

relative. The Ancient Mariner has him captivated and is telling him the story.

2. What is the relationship between the guest and the Mariner in the beginning?

Ans. – The Mariner stops one of the wedding guests and wants to tell him his story. He confesses to the sin of killing the albatross. The

guest is impatient and can hear the noise of the wedding festivities and is the bridegroom’s closest relative. But Ancient Mariner has

him captivated with the power of his glittering eyes. The guest resents this and exults – ‘Hold off ! unhand me, grey-beard loon!’ He is

transfixed by the Ancient Mariner’s ‘glittering eye’ and can do nothing but sit on a stone and listen to his strange tale.

3. How does the Mariner stop ‘one of three’?

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Ans. – The mariner sees three guests going to a wedding and stops one. He holds one of them with his hand. The wedding guest

resents this intrusion but he is transfixed by the Ancient Mariner’s ‘glittering eye’ and powerless to resist, he sits on a stone like a

three year child, and listens to the story and gets involved with story. He asks the mariner this question—’God save thee, ancient

Mariner! … Why look’st thou so?’

4. Why do the mariners hail the bird as a ‘Christian soul’?

Ans. – The crew on the ship is alone at sea surrounded by a land of mist, by drifts and snowy cliffs and can see neither beasts nor men.

Ice is all around them. Suddenly the albatross appears and they see the first sign of life in a desolate area. It is a friendly bird and

comes to eat and play with them.

5. How does the bird relate to the mariners?

Ans. – The friendly bird comes to eat and play with the crew on the ship and responds to the mariners hollo’. It flies around and travels

with them for nine days and sits on mast and sails of the ship.

6. Why does the Mariner shoot the albatross?

Ans. – The friendly bird comes to eat and play with the crew but the takes a crossbow and shoots it. The mariner was devoid of moral

values and he thought that if we keep offering food to this bird our own food will be ended. With these feelings he shot the bird.

Maybe he was weary of its hovering presence and had nothing to do.

7. Why do the mariners change their minds about the value of the bird?

Ans. – The albatross represents goodness and acts as a saviour to the ship’s crew as it brings a south wind which guides the ship out of

the Polar regions. The crew are initially outraged at the death of the bird of good omen. But after its death the fog and mist dissipate

and the crew deem the act as the right thing to do—’such birds to slay That bring the fog and mist.’ The shipmates are glad at the

disappearance of the fog and mist, thinking the bird brought the dense fog and mist.

8. What does the Mariners’ not being able to speak signify?

Ans. – The ancient mariner kills the bird for no reason and the crew on the ship are initially outraged at the death of the bird of good

omen. But once fog dissipates, they say that it was the right thing to do —’such birds to slay that bring the fog and mist’. Instead of

condemning the act, they praise it. The mariner was unable to speak as he was full of despair.

9. What happens when the Albatross comes to the ship?

Ans. -The Storm-Blast follows the ship and takes it to the extreme south. The sea gets mist and snow and is stuck. It is mast-high ice all

around. It cracks, growls, roars and howls. The dim brightness of the ice gives out a dismal brightness. Then an Albatross comes to the

ship. The bird comes daily to the mariners for food and play. Very soon, the south wind blows. The weather changes and the ice splits

giving way to the ship to sail ahead.

EXPLANATION OF SOME IMPORTANT LINES

Line by line explanation for the Rime of the Ancient Mariner- PART –I

1. It is an ancient mariner,

And he stopped. one of three.

‘By the long grey beard and glittering eye.

How wherefore stopo’st thou me?

The Bridegroom’s doors are opened wide

And I am next of kin;

The guests are met, the feast is set:

May’s: hear the merry din.’ (Lines 1-8)

Explanation- An ancient mariner stopped one of the three guests, who were going for a wedding. The guest was attracted by the long

beard and glittering eyes of the mariner. However, he does not like being stopped and asked the Mariner why he was holding on to

him. The wedding guest was in a hurry since the doors of the bridegroom’s house were open and the sound of merry-making and the

festivities could be heard.

2. He holds him with his skinny hand,

‘There was a ship,’ quash he. ‘Hold

Off! unhand me, grey-heard loon!’

Eftsoons his hand drops he.

He holds him with his glittering eye-

The Wedding-Guest stood still,

And listens like a three years child

The Mariner hash his will (lines 9-16)

Explanation -The mariner held the wedding guest with his skinny hand and started relating his story abruptly. “There was a ship.” The

wedding guest is reluctant to stay but he is mesmerised by the gaze of the mariner and listens to his story like a three-year-old child.

3. The Wedding-Guest sat on a stone:

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He cannot choose but hear:

And thus spoke on that ancient man.

The bright-eyed Mariner.

The ship was cheered, the harbour cleared,

Merrily did we drop

Below the kirk, below the hill

Below the lighthouse top. (Lines 17-24)

Explanation- The wedding guest sat down on the stone. The bright-eyed mariner started telling his story. When the mariner’s ship had

to set sail, they were given a warm farewell and the ship started sailing, leaving behind the church, the lighthouse etc.

4. The Sun came up upon the left,

Out of the sea came he!

And he shone bright, and on the right

Wend down into the sea

Higher and higher every day,

Till over the mast at noon –

The Wedding-Guest here beat his breast

, For he heard the loud bassoon (Lines 25-32)

Explanation – The ship was sailing towards the south, so the sun appeared to be rising from the sea. It shone brightly and sank the

same way. Everyday the sun rose higher and higher, up to the height of the mast. At this point the mariner’s story is interrupted, since

the loud music from the bridegroom’s house distracts the wedding-guest and he starts getting restless to leave.

5. The bride hash paced into the hall.

Red as a rose is she;

Nodding their heads before her goes

The merry minstrelsy.

The Wedding-Guest he beat his breast.

Yet he cannot choose but hear;

And thus spoke on that ancient man.

The bright-eyed Mariner. (Lines 33-40)

Explanation The loud music is the indication of the arrival of the bride. She enters looking beautiful like a rose, and is followed by a

band of musicians. The wedding-guest does not like missing all these festivities but the mariner succeeds in detaining him.

6. And now the STORM-BLAST came and he

Was tyrannous and strong:

He struck with his ornertaking-wings.

And chased us south along.

With sloping masts and dipping prow

As who pursued with yell and blow

Still treads the shadow of his foe

And forward bends his head.

The ship drove fast, loud roared the blast.

And southward aye we fled (Lines 41-50)

Explanation The mariner continues telling his story. A very fierce storm lashes the ship with force and drove the ship towards the

south. The masts of the ship were bent and its prow dipped into the sea. The ship looked like a person with his head bent, who is

escaping the enemy.

7. And it grew wondrous cold:

And ice, mast-high, came floating by

As green as emerald.

And through the drifts the snowy cliffs

Did send a dismal sheen;

Nor shapes of men nor beasts we ken

The ice was all between

The ice was here, the ice was there, (Lines 51.58)

Explanation – Now the ship reached the region of mists and ice. It was intensely cold and icebergs and snow-capped cliffs could be

seen. This place was totally deserted and only snow could be seen all around.

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8. It cracked and growled, and roared and howled

Like noises in a swound!

At length did cross an Albatross.

Through the fog it came,

As if it had been a ‘Christian soul’

We hailed it in God’s name

It ate the food it ne’er had eat.

And round and round it flew (Lines 59-66)

Explanation – The mariner and other shipmates were only surrounded by ice on all sides, which made funny sounds like that of

growling, cracking and howling. At last an albatross appeared through the fog. The entire crew welcomes it, as if it were a Christian

soul.

9. The ice did split with a thunder-fit;

The helmsman steered us though!

And a good south wind sprung up behind:

The Albatross did follow.

And every day, for food or play;

Came to the mariners’ hollo!

In mist or cloud, on mast or shroud. (Lines 67-74)

Explanation The albatross ate the food the sailors gave and hovered around the ship. They were lucky because south wind started

blowing which was favourable to them. The albatross followed the ship and would appear, when food was offered to him.

10. It perched for Vespers Nine;

Whiles all the night, through fog-smoke white.

Glimmered the white Moon-shine.

‘God save thee, ancient Mariner!

From the fiends, that plague thee thus!

Why look’st thou so?’ – With my cross-bow

I shot the ALBATROSS.

Explanation – The albatross would sit on the mast sails. The mariner and other sailors continued sailing for nine more days. At this

juncture the mariner looked fearful and guilty. The wedding-guest prayed that God have mercy on him but the mariner unravelled the

mystery, saying, “I shot the albatross with my cross-bow.”

Explanation of Some Important Expressions

1. Long grey heard and glittering eye (lines 3-4)

Explanation- These physical features of the ancient mariner are very striking and charismatic and have a great effect on the wedding-

guest. He is mesmerized by the appearance and the manner of the mariner and becomes subdued. The long beard of the mariner

suggests subtly that he has become a spokesman for nature.

2- grey-beard loon (line 11)

Explanation- Coleridge’s use of archaic words makes the poem look timeless. These words are a part of old-fashioned vocabulary.

3 . For he heard the loud bassoon (line 32)

Explanation- The musical instruments suggest the festivities in the bridegroom’s house. but the wedding-guest is still under the spell

of the mariner. There is a deliberate contrast between the bright lights of the wedding ceremony and the dark tale of the mariner.

4- And now the storm-blast came and he

Was tyrannous and strong (lines 41-42)

Explanation- The storm-blast is personified as a person, who is very cruel but strong and the entire ship is tossed here and there

because of the fury of the storm-blast. The storm-Mast has great devastating power and it pushes the ship to the south.

5. And ice, mast-high, came floating by

As green as emerald (lines 53-54)

Explanation- The ship has reached the region of snows and mist and icebergs as high as masts can be seen. The green colour of the sea

can be seen reflected by the icebergs. These kind of scenes add to the beauty and pictorial quality of the poem.

6. It cracked and growled, and roared and howled (line 58)

Explanation- The above words all are associated with sounds and they add to the musicality of the poem. These words indicate the

breaking, sliding and falling of huge chunks of ice.

7. As if it had been a ‘Christian soul’

We hailed it in God’s name (line 64)

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Explanation- The albatross is seen as a symbol of God’s favour, a blessing in disguise. The coming of the albatross lifts the spirits of the

crew and his coming ‘out of fog’ signifies ‘hope from despair.’

8. With my cross-bow I shot the albatross (line 80)

Explanation- The killing of the innocent creature of God is a sin and this act of the mariner signifies that he has lost connection with

God and all good things.

Some Detailed Important Questions-

1. Discuss the significance of the title of the poem `The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.’

Ans. ‘Rime’ means Rhyme, a poem or a song. ‘Ancient’ means old, strange pertaining to some far-off times. The poem has some

references to outdated beliefs and practices. It is surely not only the mariner who is ancient, but even his rhyme is. Reading the poem

at a stretch, one cannot guess the time-frame it belongs to. Coleridge has deliberately used some archaic words to make it appear

ancient. The poem contains the story of the mariner’s sin, punishment and its redemption. The entire poem deals with the tale of the

ancient mariner and all the actions, description relate to the ancient mariner’s tale. So the title is very suitable, direct and suggestive.

2. Under which circumstances is the wedding-guest detained and held by the ancient mariner. What is the reaction of the wedding

guest?

Ans. The ancient mariner is tortured and is emotionally wrecked. The burden of the sin and the guilt of killing the albatross is too

heavy for the ancient mariner to carry. He has no rest or peace of mind. He is advised by a hermit to tell this story to someone. so that

the torment he is suffering, the ache he is feeling, is satisfied. The mariner goes from village to village but no one is ready to listen to

his story. Narrating the story soothes him, lifts the burden off his soul and restores him to normalcy. The wedding guest is awed and

mesmerised by the mariner but he is angry at having missed the wedding festivities. However, he learns a valuable lesson. “He prayeth

best, who loveth best.-

3. What kind of farewell was given to the ship of the ancient mariner? Give an account of the ship’s journey before it reaches the land

of snow.

Ans. The journey of the ancient mariner begins in favourable circumstances. The ship was accorded a very cheerful send-off, it crossed

the harbour very quickly and entered the main seawaters. The ship sailed away from the coast, the church, the hill and the lighthouse.

The sun shone bright and the ship appeared to be near the equator. But suddenly a violent seastorm engulfed the ship and the ship

tossed on the merciless sea waves. The ship was forcibly driven towards the South Pole. The ship was bent with the force of the wind

and it was unable to escape the fury of the gale. The South Pole was full of mist, snow and icebergs as high as the mast of the ship

were floating here and there on the sea.

4. “When the albatross arrived on the ship, the mariners experienced a sense of joy and were infused with new hope.” Comment.

Ans. – Mariners had been trapped in the midst of iceberg and snow. They lost all hope of escaping from the ocean. They felt relieved

when the albatross arrived. South wind started blowing, weather improved, felt comfortable and hopeful. They were aware of the

blessings the albatross had brought and compared the bird to Jesus who had brought joy and infused the people with new hope. The

bird provided them company and they fed and played with it. The bird proved very lucky, kind and gentle to them and they hailed it as

a ‘Christian Soul’!

Extract Based Questions and Answers PART 2

1. ‘The Sun now rose upon the right:

Out of the sea came he,

Still hid in mist, and on the left

Went down into the sea.’

(a) In which direction did the ship start moving? How can you say?

Ans. -The ship was moving northward. The sun was rising now on the right.

(b) How is the sun different from what it was when the sailors were sailing southwards?

Ans. -At the time when sailors were sailing southwards, the sun shone brightly but now the sun was hidden behind the mist.

(c) Describe the weather in the above lines.

Ans. -The sun rose and though it was covered with mist, the weather became pleasant. A good South wind blew behind the ship and

pushed it northwards.

(d) Which figure of speech is used?

Ans. Personification.

2. ‘And the good south wind still blew behind,

But no sweet bird did follow,

Nor any day for food or play

Came to the mariners’ hollo!’

(a) Why had the mariners called the bird?

Ans. -The mariners had called the bird to feed it or to play with it.

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(b) What did the mariners think of the bird?

Ans. -The mariners considered the bird to be a good omen.

(c) What would be the result of killing the bird?

Ans. -They would suffer grave misfortunes.

(d) Was the wind favourable for the ship?

Ans. -Yes, a good favourable wind from the south flew from behind, which took the ship in the forward direction.

(e) Whom did the sailors miss?

Ans. -They all missed the albatross; the bird did not follow them anymore.

(f) Did the sailors try anything to call her?

Ans. -They tried to send out calls as they used to call her but no bird came.

3. ‘And I had done a hellish thing,

And it would work ’em woe:

For all averred, I had killed the bird

That made the breeze to blow.

Ah wretch! said they, the bird to slay,

That made the breeze to blow!’

(a) What hellish thing had the speaker done? Why was it hellish?

Ans. -The speaker had killed the albatross. It was hellish because the bird has been described as a Christian soul which was the

harbinger of happiness and the Mariner had killed it for no reason.

(b) What was the reaction of the other sailors to the Mariner’s deed?

Ans. – At first the other sailors condemned the Ancient Mariner for killing the bird that had brought the breeze.

(c) Explain: ‘And it would work ’em woe’

Ans. -The sailors believed that the wanton killing of the albatross would bring sorrow and unhappiness.

(d) What do the first two lines convey about the speaker?

Ans. – He is guilty and feels his cruel act would bring all of them misery, they were cursed.

(e) How did they blame the mariner?

Ans. – They all said it was wrong of him to have killed the bird that had made the breeze blow.

(f) What do you mean by ‘averred’?

Ans. – Averred means said firmly.

4. ‘Nor dim nor red, like God’s own head,

The glorious Sun uprist:

Then all averred, I had killed the bird

That brought the fog and mist.’

(a) Why has the sun been described as glorious?

Ans. -The sun has been described as glorious because it had appeared after a long time. Before this, the weather had been foggy and

misty.

(b)Name a poetic device used in the above lines.

Ans. – Simile—’Nor dim nor red, like God’s own head,’

(c) These lines indicate a change in the sailor’s attitude. What is that change?

Ans. -The sailors had earlier condemned the killing of the bird as they had s bird of good omen, which had caused the ice to split and

the breeze to now regarded it as the one that had brought the fog and mist.

(d) Did the sailors change their mind?

Ans. – First, the sailors accused the mariner, then they said he had done the right thing because the bird was responsible for the fog

and mist.`

(e) What does this tell about their character?

Ans. – They were fickle-minded and changed their opinion very soon.

(f) Explain: ‘Glorious sun’ and ‘like God’s own head’.

Ans. – It is the bright sun spreading light everywhere on everyone alike. A halo around the sun is comparable to God’s head that has a

halo around it. Sun was glorious as it had come out after the foggy weather.

5. ‘Nor dim nor red, like God’s own head,

The glorious Sun uprist:

Then all averred, I had killed the bird

That brought the fog and mist.

‘Twas right, said they, such birds to slay,

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That bring the fog and mist’

(a) What had the speaker done?

Ans. -The speaker had killed the albatross.

(b) How was reaction of the others significantly different from their earlier reaction? Why?

Ans. -The crew at first berated their mate for killing the bird that had brought the change in the breeze. But as the ship made its way

out of the fog and mist, they decided it was the bird that had brought the mist so the Mariner had been right to kill the bird after all.

(c) What was the effect of the reaction of the sailors?

Ans. – The sailors became accomplices in the crime by praising the Ancient Mariner. Therefore, they too had to suffer.

6. ‘The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew,

The furrow followed free;

We were the first that ever burst

Into that silent sea.’

(a) How does the narrator create the impression of speed?

Ans. -The mariner does so by describing the movement of the ship which cut through the waves, leaving a track on the surface of the

water with the formation of the foam.

(b) Name a poetic device used in the above lines.

Ans. -Alliteration is being used in the lines-‘The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew/The furrow followed free’

(c) What happened after this?

Ans. -The mariners reached the silent sea.

(d) Where did they come?

Ans. – They came to a place in the sea which was silent. It seemed no one else had come there before them.

(e) Explain: ‘furrow followed free’.

Ans. – When the ship moves freely it cuts the water in two halves, leaving a furrow behind it.

7. ‘Down dropped the breeze, the sails dropped down,

‘Twas sad as sad could be;

And we did speak only to break

The silence of the sea!’

(a) Why did the sails drop down?

Ans. -The sails dropped as there was no breeze.

(b) What was the only sound that the sailors could hear?

Ans. -The only sound the sailors could here was the sound of their own voice.

(c) What according to the sailors was the reason for this situation?

Ans. – The sailors blamed the situation on the killing of the albatross by the Ancient Mariner.

(d) What is the meaning of breeze?

Ans.- ‘Breeze’ means cool wind.

(e) What effect did it create?

Ans. Everything stopped, the breeze dropped, sails sagged as though life had come to a standstill. They could not understand this

sudden change.

8. ‘All in a hot and copper sky,

The bloody Sun, at noon,

Right up above the mast did stand,

No bigger than the Moon.’

(a) How does the narrator convey the heat of the sun? How is it different from the sun earlier?

Ans. -The sun was red hot and it heated the sky. Earlier the sun has been described as being glorious.

(b) Name the poetic device used here.

Ans. -The poetic devise used is metaphor in the phrase-The bloody Sun.

(c) Where were the sailors at this moment?

Ans. – The sailors were nearing the equator.

(d) What do you understand by ‘hot and copper sky’?

Ans. -The extent of heat was so much that the sky also had turned hot and copper coloured.

(e) Explain: The bloody sun at noon/right up above the mast did stand, No bigger than the moon.

Ans. -The sun’s heat is at its peak in the afternoon. The sun’s heat was at its peak at noon, it was right above the mast that is above

our heads. In size, though it was like the moon but the heat showered was excessive and unbearable.

(f) What do the lines convey?

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Ans. -The ship has come to a standstill and heat is excessive, as though what is going to follow would be worse.

9. ‘Day after day, day after day,

We stuck, nor breath nor motion;

As idle as a painted ship

Upon a painted ocean.’

(a) Who was stuck and where?

Ans. – The Ancient Mariner and his companions were stuck in the middle of the sea.

(b) What is the effect of the repetition in the first line?

OR

What is the significance of Pay after day, day after day’?

Ans. – The repetition in the first line emphasizes the lack of motion. The mariners had been stuck for a long time in the middle of the

sea.

(c) How does the narrator communicate the idea of being becalmed?

Ans. – The idea of being becalmed, it’s absolutely motionless state has been communicated by comparing the ship to a still picture of a

painted ship standing in a painted ocean.

(d) Why were the sailors stuck on the ship?

Ans. Days were passing and the ship was motionless, so they were all stuck there.

(e) Explain: ‘Painted ship upon a painted ocean’.

Ans.The ship was motionless, even the sea was silent and still everything looked like a painted picture.

10. ‘Day after day, day after day,

We stuck, nor breath nor motion;

As idle as a painted ship

Upon a painted ocean. ‘

(a) Explain: ‘We stuck, nor breath nor motion;’

Ans. – The lines imply that the mariners were stranded on a still sea. There was no wind to help them move.

(b) Whom did the mariners blame for this condition? How did they punish him?

Ans. -The Ancient Mariner was blamed for this condition as he had killed the albatross. The mariners hung the dead albatross around

his neck.

(c) Explain As idle as a painted ship:

Ans. – There was no breeze. The ship was still and motionless as if it had been painted on a canvas.

11. ‘Water, water, everywhere,

And all the boards did shrink;

Water, water, everywhere,

Nor any drop to drink.’

(a) Explain: Water, water, everywhere, And all the boards did shrink. ‘

Ans. – The heat of the sun dried the boards and shrank them.

(b) What sufferings did the sailors undergo?

Ans. – The sun was shining overhead. It was very hot. The sailors had no water to drink. There was no breeze, and the ship was stuck

In the middle of the ocean.

(c) What do you mean by shrink?

Ans. ‘Shrink’ means to become short.

(d) Why was there no drop to drink?

Ans. – All the water was saline not even a single drop of water was there fit for drinking. This was the irony.

12. ‘The very deep did rot: o Christ!

That ever this should be!

Yea, slimy things did crawl with legs

Upon the slimy sea.’

(a) What does the word ‘deep’ refer to?

Ans. – The word ‘deep’ refers to the ocean.

(b) How did the ‘deep’ rot?

Ans. -The stillness of the sea and lack of motion made the mariners feel that the vegetation in the sea was decaying.

(c) How does the Ancient Mariner describe the sea and the creatures?

Ans. -The Ancient Mariner calls the creatures repulsive and slimy.

(d) What was unimaginable?

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Ans. – That the whole ocean was rotting, as the water had come to a standstill. All living beings and the vegetation was decaying.

(e) What sort of picture has been created by the poet?

Ans. – An ugly and repulsive picture of all the things in the sea has been created by the poet.

13. ‘About, about, in reel and rout

The death-fires danced at night:

The water, like a witch’s oils,

Burnt green, and blue and white.’

(a) Explain the term ‘reel and rout’. OR What is meant by ‘reel and rout’?

Ans. -It refers to a dance from Scotland where the dancers go round and round.

(b) Where did the death fires dance?

Ans. -The death fires danced around the ship.

(c) Why did the water of the ocean appear to be burning green, blue and white?

Ans. – The rotting vegetation on the water appeared to have a film of oil on top that shone in various colours.

(d) How did the death fires dance at night?

Ans. – It seemed death was lurking everywhere.

(e) What picture did the water present?

Ans. – It was very ugly and frightening, different hues presented a terrible and sinister picture.

14. ‘And some in dreams assured were

Of the Spirit that plagued us so;

Nine fathom deep he had followed us

From the land of mist and snow.’

(a) Who was being followed? What spirit was following them?

Ans. -The mariners were being followed by the spirit of the albatross.

(b) Why does the narrator feel they are being plagued? Give two reasons.

Ans. – The narrator feels they are being plagued because they had to undergo many hardships.

Ans. -The ship got stuck in the ocean as there was no breeze. They had no water to drink.

(c) Why was the spirit following them?

Ans. -The spirit was following them to avenge its death.

(d) What were the sailors confirmed about?

Ans. – In their heart, they were sure that the spirit of the slain bird had brought them there and was the cause of their misery.

(e) Who followed them?

Ans. – The spirit of the albatross.

(f) What do you mean by ‘plague’ here?

Ans. – Here it means troubled or tortured.

15. ‘And every tongue, through utter drought

Was withered at the root,

We could not speak, no more than if

We had been choked with soot.’

(a) Who are the ‘we’ referred to here? What was the reason for their misery? OR

Who are ‘we’? Why are they miserable?

Ans. -‘We’ refers to the sailors. They are stuck in the middle of the ocean with no water to drink and no breeze.

(b) Why were their tongues dry?

Ans. -They had no water to drink and the sun was very hot.

(c) Who was held responsible for their condition?

Ans. -The Ancient Mariner was held responsible for their condition.

(d) What was the effect of excessive heat and lack of water?

Ans. -Every tongue was dry; they were all very thirsty without water. Their throats were parched.

(e) Explain: ‘Choked with soot’.

Ans. -The chimney pipe gets choked with soot. Here, metaphorically the throats were so dry due to thirst and heat that this device has

been used.

16. ‘Ah! well a-day! what evil looks

Had I from old and young!

Instead of the cross, the Albatross

About my neck was hung.’

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(a)- Who did the mariner feel was responsible for his suffering?

Ans. – The mariner who had killed the innocent albatross was responsible for their misery. All the sailors felt he had brought them

sufferings.

(b) What was the condition of the sailors?

Ans. – They could not speak. All of them, it seemed were waiting for their death.

(c) What do you mean by ‘evil look’?

Ans. – ‘Evil look’ means to look with strong dislike.

Short Answers Type Questions

1. Why did the mariners hang the albatross around the neck of the Ancient Mariner?

Ans. -They hung the albatross out of a sense of revenge. He was held responsible for their plight.

2. Why did the Ancient Mariner not let the guest go and attend the wedding?

Ans. He wanted to tell his story to someone.

3. “The sailors are fickle-minded.” Justify this statement with reference to the poem.

Ans. First, they blamed him. Then, they praised him. They thought that the killing of the albatross brought them great woe. When the

sun rose they felt he had done the right thing. They did not judge the killing of albatross by any standard of reasoning but by the

change in the weather.

4. What crime had the mariner committed and how did it prove hellish?

Ans. -The mariner had killed the innocent bird who had brought new hope and the blowing of the south wind. After the bird was

killed, the mariners’ ship was stuck in the middle of the hot and sultry sea. With no water to drink and no ray of hope to brighten them

up, they underwent a lot of physical and mental agony.

5. How did the sailors react to the killing of the albatross by the ancient mariner?

Ans. -The mariner was made to carry the dead albatross as a punishment for killing the bird. The other sailors were angry on him as

they thought the bird was God-sent and it brought them ‘good omen’.

6. What is the poet trying to convey through this poem?

Ans. – Our reckless acts are the cause of our mental distress. We should be a little more thoughtful and considerate for others.

Otherwise sooner or later we have to pay for our wrongs. The burden of our guilt is a punishment for our reckless actions. Confession

of our guilt is in a way asking for forgiveness which can help in redeeming ourselves to a very great extent.

7. What did the mariners hang around the speaker’s neck and why?

Ans. – The mariners hung the dead body of the albatross around the neck of the speaker. They did this to make him repent for his

mistake. The dead body of the albatross would be a constant reminder of his guilt.

8. Who was held responsible for their misery? Was it correct to do so?

Ans. – The Ancient Mariner and his killing of the albatross, was held responsible for their misery. The sailors were right to call him

responsible for their misery.

Long answers type questions.

1. Why does the crew hang the albatross around the Mariner’s neck?

Ans. – The death of the albatross begins to be avenged as the breeze that once carried the sails had halted. There was no water to

drink and slimy creatures could be seen emerging from the rotting sea. The crew burdens the Ancient Mariner with the weight of the

albatross around his neck as a sign of guilt for their plight. The crew believes that the spirit of the albatross was following them,

haunting them and causing the misfortunes that they have come to face.

Value Based Question

2. Examine the ideas of crime and punishment in the poem.

Ans. – The Mariner killed the albatross for no apparent reason. The other sailors were initially outraged at the death of the bird of

good omen. But once the fog dissipates they say that it was the right thing to do—’such birds to slay that bring the fog and mist’.

Instead of condemning this act, they start to praise the act of killing bird the bird and hence become partners in crime. They are

punished by God for this misdeed as the winds die down and they are stranded on the ship with no water to drink and felt as if they

were choking on the soot. The crew punishes the Ancient Mariner with the weight of the Albatross around his neck. The value that is

derived from this incident is that harming of an innocent creature has terrible repercussions.

3. Write the theme of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’. Answer in 150 words.

Ans. -The theme of ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ is, in fact, woven in the entire story. Also it is clearly understood through the

characterization of the Ancient Mariner, other mariners and the bird Albatross symbolically. The sea also becomes a symbol.

`The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ is about sin and the retribution by the powers in nature. The Ancient Mariner commits a sin when

he kills the innocent Albatross. At first his own mates on the ship are also angry with him for this cruel act. But when they find that the

weather has improved after the killing of the Albatross, they justify the killing. They thus become a partner in the crime committed by

the Ancient Mariner.

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So the powers of nature avenge this crime and becalm the ship. There was intense heat and there was no drinking water. The

mariners underwent great sufferings. They saw death fires during the night.

4. What message does Samuel Taylor Coleridge wish to convey through the poem ‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner’? OR

What are the moral values we get from the poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner?

Ans- ‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ is an exploration of evil, both that of men and of nature, and of salvation. The poem is full of

Christian symbolism, which is also a departure from the romantic poetry. The slaughtered albatross, emerging spirits from beneath the

murky water, slimy creatures of the sea, all are images of sin and evil, and its consequences. The whole poem is based on the Christian

concept of sin, its punishment and redemption. The albatross can be seen as a symbol of God’s favour, bringing good results. The

mariner, mortal and fallible, succumbs to his paranoia and fear, when he kills the innocent creature, thereby tainting himself with sin

and losing connection with God and all things good. Coleridge uses dramatically mystical elements to express the consequences of the

mariner’s colossal mistake. By destroying one of God’s creatures, the mariner is exposed to the darker aspects of the world.

Defying God leads to worse results. The crew hangs the dead albatross around the mariner’s neck. The mariner is symbolic of a Christ-

like figure and the cross-like albatross, a symbol of sin, is borne only by the mariner. Though the crew also suffers, but punishment is

borne only by the mariner.

In the end, the mariner is truly remorseful and is able to pray to God. As he prays, he is filled with God’s grace and albatross, a symbol

of sin, fall from him. The moral of the poem is sublime, “he prayeth well, who loveth well.”

So Coleridge’s fascination with natural evil and salvation is clear in the poem. The slimy and ghastly creatures are fantastical, but they

are a direct result of a very realistic moral failing on the part of the mariner connecting between the dark and mystical with ordinary,

mundane life. Coleridge, like the other romantics, sees the beautiful and compelling in both the good and bad sides of nature, and

wants the reader to accept them, rather than succumb to fear as the mariner did.

5. Describe the hardships that the sailors had to undergo when the ship was stuck in the silent sea.

Ans. Following are the main hardships of the sailors-

No breeze, no motion — no sound

The only sound when sailors spoke I.

Sun — red hot, sky— hot and copper

Ship motionless, still as painting

Water everywhere – but not a drop to drink

Throats parched – unable to speak

Sea rotting, slimy creatures on the surface

Night, fires seen, water changed colours

No peace – sailors haunted in dreams

6. “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” uses the element of supernaturalism. Highlight the use of this element. OR

Explain the supernatural element in the poem ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’

Ans. – The very description of the ancient mariner and the look in his eyes, his skinny hands lend the supernatural element to the

poem right at the beginning.

(i) He is able to compel the wedding guest to listen to his story with the fascination of a three-year-old child.

(ii) The emergence of the albatross from the mist, and the sailors revering it as a sign of good luck, as though it were a “Christian soul”

sent by God to save them.

(iii) The mariner is hounded by disaster and supernatural forces after killing the albatross. (iv) His world becomes nightmarish when

contrasted with the realistic world that he has left behind.

(v) The mariner kills the albatross whose spirit takes its revenge on all the mariners. They face utter drought in spite of water being

everywhere. The ship is becalmed — As idle as a painted ship/ upon a painted ocean.

(vi) Supernatural beings appear in the poem as symbolic or allegorical figures. They represent the forces of nature, life, death and

redistribution.

(vii) The mariner confronts these figures and must ultimately appease them in order to obtain salvation.

7. What is the poet trying to convey through this poem? Or What happens when we do things without giving a thought?

Or How do we pay for our thoughtless or reckless acts?

Ans. – Whenever we act or behave thoughtlessly, we are made to suffer the consequences of our reckless actions. It is our own

conscience that holds us guilty. Happiness eludes us. Living our life normally becomes difficult. It is said, “A clear conscience is a

continual Christmas”. We are repentant but only when it is too late. What has been done cannot be undone. Happiness and joys, so

simple are denied to a guilt-ridden heart. He who knows he has sinned, moves around with a bent head. Sharing his guilt is part of

one’s penance. Acceptance of one’s offence is equal to being innocent. A guilty person wants to share his burden and goes around

looking for someone to hear his heart out. This act can help him feel light. Acceptance of one’s folly, asking for forgiveness, and a firm

resolution, never to repeat the wrong can assuage the suffering. Confession of one’s sin also redeems the sinner.

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EXPLANATION OF SOME IMPORTANT LINES PART 2

Line by line explanation for the Rime of the Ancient Mariner-

PART – II

1. The sun now rose upon the right: (Lines 75-82)

Out of the sea came he,

Still hid in mist and on the left

Wend down into the sea.

And the good south wind still blew behind.

But no sweet bird did follow

Nor any day for food and or play

Came to the mariner’s hollo!

And I had done a hellish thing (Lines 83-90)

Explanation The sun rose on the right side of the ship, though it had been misty all the day. The sun set and the favorable south wind

was still blowing, but there was no bird to keep them company or eat the food they offered.

2. And it would work ’em woe:

For all averred, l had killed the bird

That made the breeze to blow.

Ah wretch! said they. the bird to slay.

That made the breeze to blow!

Nor dim nor red, like God’s own head. (Lines 91-96)

Explanation – All the shipmates condemned the ancient mariner for killing the albatross. They felt that albatross was a bird of good

omen and now they will be facing misfortune and disaster, for killing the bird for no reason.

3. The glorious Sun uprist:

Then all averred, I had killed the bird

That brought the fog and mist.

‘Twas right, said they; such birds to slay.

That bring the fog and mist.

The fair breeze blew, the white four flew

The furrow followed free;

We were the first that ever burst Into the silent sea.

Down drop: the breeze, the sails drops down. (Lines 97-106)

Explanation – To their surprise bright sun arose, which looked glorious like the head of god. The sailors changed their opinion and now

they praised the mariner for killing the bird, since the albatross had only brought fog and mist. The ship sailed gently and white foam is

flying on the surface of the silent ocean.

4. ‘Twas sad as sad could be;

And we did speak only to break

The silence of the sea!

All in a hot and copper sky

The bloody Sun. at noon,

Right up above the mast did stand.

No bigger than the Moon

Day after day, day after day. (Lines 107-114)

Explanation- But too much silence is ominous and the atmosphere looks frightening. There is no wind, the sails drop and the sky

looked like heated copper. The sun looked red and very small like the moon.

5. We stuck, nor breath not motion;

As idle as a painted ship Upon a pained ocean.

Water, water, everywhere.

And all the boards did shrink;

Water, water; everywhere.

Nor any drop to drink.

The very deep did rot; O Christ! (Lines 115-122)

Explanation – The ship was stuck at the same place because there was no wind or tide. It was still like a painting. Although there was

water everywhere, the boards of the ship started shrinking and the sailors had not even a drop of water to drink.

6. That ever this should be!

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Yea, slimy things did crawl with legs

Upon the slimy sea.

About, about, in reel and rout

The death-fires danced at night

The water: like a witch’s oils.

Burnt green. and blue and white.

And wine in dreams assured were (Lines 123-130)

Explanation – The water looked rotten and sticky and ugly sea creatures could be seen near the ship. The sailors pray to God to save

them. Death-fires appeared to be dancing and hovering around them and the sea water looked like the oil burnt by witches.

7. Of the Spirit that plagued us so:

Nine fathom deep he had followed us

From the land of mist and snow.

And every tongue, through utter drought

Was withered at the root,

We could not speak, nor more than if

We had been choked with soot.

Ah! well a-day! what evil looks

Had I from old and young! (Lines 131-138)

Explanation – Some of the sailors had a nightmare that a spirit was trying to take revenge for killing the albatross. The spirit was

tracking them from the land of mist and snow and it was moving nine fathoms deep in the water.

It Instead of the cross, the Albatross

About my neck was hung. (Lines 139-142)

Explanation The sailors condemn the mariner for landing them into such a ghastly problem. Their throats are absolutely choked with

soot. They are full of contempt and in great anger they removed his cross and put the dead albatross round his neck.

Explanation of Some Important Expressions

1. Then all averred, I had killed the bird that bring fog and mist (line 100)

Explanation- The sailors are very fickle-minded. First they welcome the albatross and consider him a blessing. Later they think that

albatross was responsible for the coming of fog and mist.

2. Water, water, everywhere

Nor a drop to drink (lines 120-121)

Explanation- The crew realizes the gravity of the mariner’s action of killing the albatross. They are stranded without wind or water to

drink. These signify that the crew has lost touch with the very elements of life. The crew also seems to share equally in the act of sin.

3. Slimy creatures did crawl with legs (line 124)

death-fires danced at night (line 127)

Explanation- The poet uses these mystic elements dramatically to create an atmosphere of horror and evil. The mariner, by destroying

one of God’s creatures, exposes himself to the darker aspects of the world. The poet suggests that sin and defiance of God bring the

worst results.

4. instead of the cross, the albatross

About my neck was hung (line 140)

Explanation- In retaliation for their increasingly miserable plight, the crew hangs the corpse of the dead albatross about the mariner’s

neck like a cross. The cross, a symbol of God’s grace and blessing, is wrenched away from the mariner and the albatross is put instead,

which is a grim reminder of his sin.