Exercises -- Week 9

Regarding Samuel Taylor Coleridge's epic poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner":

Exercise 1:

Summarize each part and identify the main themes in each part.

Exercise 2:

What Christian and/or Biblical references are present in this poem. Look, for instance, for symbols referring to baptism, crucifixion, and original sin.

Exercise 3:

How does "nature" change after the Ancient Mariner kills the albatross? Look at symbolism, metaphor, and rhyme scheme to support your answer.

Exercise 4:

What types of imagery are present in this poem? Which senses do you think is emphasized in this poem? Why?

Exercise 5:

Find examples of "imprisonment" in the poem. Discuss how these instances contribute to greater themes of imprisonment, like imprisonment to fate or sin.

A Reading of part of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner", plus an Interpretation performed by Iron Maiden

Exercises -- Week 7

Exercise 1:

Read Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" and locate examples where the major themes in this poem are clear.

Themes in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner"

The following are some of the major themes in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner:

• The Natural World (The Physical) vs. The Spiritual World (Metaphysical)
• Nature vs. Man / Artifact
  
• Liminality (Liminal Space)
• Religion
• Imprisonment
• Retribution
• Narration (Storytelling)