Why did the Ancient Mariner shoot the Albatross in the Poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner?
The Ancient Mariner as Christian Sinner When the ancient mariner kills the albatross (described in the poem as a holy thing “hailed in God’s name”), he is like the Christian who commits sins for which Christ died on the cross. Themes . Theme 1 Man is a sinful creature, but redemption awaits him if he repents his wrongdoing and does penance. This theme manifests itself as follows: First, the ancient mariner kills the albatross, committing a sin. Then, during his terrifying experience, he has a change of heart and is sorry for his sin. Finally, after confessing to the Hermit, he carries out a penance, which is to travel the world and tell his tale to strangers. Theme 2 Man should respect all of God’s creation, of which the albatross is a part. In doing so, he respects the Creator Himself. Theme 3 Guilt and justice hound sinners until they repent their wrongdoing. In The Rime of the Ancient Mariner guilt and justice appear in the form of strange natural phenomena, as well as spirits. Them
