The Rime of the Ancient Mariner – Part 1 Summary

Argument

How a Ship having passed the Line was driven by storms to the cold Country towards the South Pole; and how from thence she made her course to the tropical Latitude of the Great Pacific Ocean; and of the strange things that befell; and in what manner the Ancyent Marinere came back to his own Country.

The argument summarizes the poem as the tale of a ship which was driven by storms to the south pole and how it managed to make its way into the Pacific Ocean. The poem is about the strange things that occurred surrounding the ship and how the ancient mariner on the ship managed to survive and return to his homeland.

The Argument in literature is a brief summary of the events in a poem especially in prose form. It can be compared to the modern-day synopsis at the back of a Novel; only an argument is generally inside the book and at the start of the poem and gives an idea about the subject matter of the text.

Part 1: Line-by-line Explanation

Stanza 1: The mariner stops the wedding guest

It is an ancient Mariner, And he stoppeth one of three. 'By thy long grey beard and glittering eye, Now wherefore stopp'st thou me?'

An old sailor with a long grey beard suddenly stops one of three young men who are on their way to a wedding ceremony. The young man is surprised and confused by this sudden interruption. He asks the old sailor why he is stopping him and holding him back. The old sailor has unusual physical features—his grey beard is long and his eyes are shining brightly with a strange glitter. His appearance is unusual and somewhat frightening. The young man notices these distinctive features immediately. The word "ancient" suggests that the sailor has lived a very long life and has experienced many things. The "glittering eye" of the sailor seems to have some mysterious power over the young man. This opening stanza introduces the main character and immediately creates a sense of mystery and suspense. The reader is curious to know what story this strange old man has to tell and why he seems so determined to stop this particular young man.

Stanza 2: The wedding guest's situation

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.'

The Wedding Guest explains that he is in an important position at this wedding ceremony. He is next of kin to the bridegroom, which means he is a close relative of the person getting married. The doors to the bridegroom's house are already open, welcoming all the guests. The wedding feast has been prepared and is ready to begin. The Wedding Guest can hear the happy and joyful noise of all the guests who have gathered inside. The word "merry" describes the cheerful and celebratory atmosphere of the wedding. The Wedding Guest is clearly excited about attending this important family event. He wants to go join his relatives at the celebration. However, the Ancient Mariner is preventing him from leaving. The Wedding Guest's situation creates a contrast with the Mariner's mysterious appearance. While the guest represents normal, happy human life and celebration, the Mariner represents mystery and the supernatural. This contrast emphasizes how the Mariner's strange power overcomes ordinary human desires and duties.

Stanza 3: The mariner holds the wedding guest

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.'

The Ancient Mariner physically grabs the Wedding Guest with his thin and bony hand. Despite the young man's protests, he holds him firmly and begins his story with the simple phrase "There was a ship." The Wedding Guest tries to escape and calls the old man a crazy fool (loon). He demands that the Mariner release him and let him go. However, the Mariner's grip is not just physical—it is also mental and supernatural. The Wedding Guest tries to resist, but he cannot. The word "eftsoons" means immediately or suddenly. The Mariner's hand drops, but this does not happen because the Wedding Guest successfully fought against him. Instead, it happens because the Mariner's supernatural power has already captured the young man's mind. The Wedding Guest is no longer struggling physically because he is now mentally trapped by the Mariner's strange power. The story is about to begin. The young man is helpless to escape and must listen to whatever tale the old sailor wishes to tell him.

Stanza 4: The mariner's glittering eye controls the wedding guest

He holds him with his glittering eye— The Wedding-Guest stood still, And listens like a three years' child: The Mariner hath his will.'

The Mariner now holds the Wedding Guest with his hypnotic glittering eye rather than with his physical hand. The Wedding Guest stands completely still, unable to move. He listens to the Mariner like a small child who is being told a story. The phrase "listens like a three years' child" suggests complete obedience and attention. The Mariner has achieved his will—the Wedding Guest has no choice but to stay and listen. This stanza emphasizes the supernatural power of the Mariner's eyes. The glittering eye is not just unusual or beautiful; it has magical power that controls the will of other people. The eyes become the source of the Mariner's mysterious ability to stop people and force them to listen to his tale. The young man's helplessness shows that some forces in the world are beyond human resistance. The Mariner does not need violence or threats to keep the Wedding Guest; his gaze alone is enough. This supernatural control sets the stage for the telling of an extraordinary tale that will follow.

Stanza 5: The wedding guest sits down and becomes a captive listener

The Wedding-Guest sat on a stone: He cannot choose but hear; And thus spake on that ancient man, The bright-eyed Mariner.'

The Wedding Guest sits down on a stone, completely under the spell of the Mariner's power. He has no choice but to remain and listen to whatever the old sailor is about to say. The phrase "cannot choose but hear" emphasizes that listening is not a choice for the Wedding Guest—it is something he must do. He is trapped by circumstances beyond his control. The Mariner is described as the "bright-eyed" Mariner, which again emphasizes the unusual and hypnotic quality of his eyes. The Mariner now speaks to the helpless young man. The old sailor begins to tell his story with complete authority. No one can interrupt him or stop him. The Wedding Guest must accept his role as a captive audience. This stanza shows the complete success of the Mariner's supernatural power over the young man. The Mariner has accomplished what he wanted—he has secured a listener for his tale. The stage is set for the beginning of his extraordinary story about his voyage at sea.

Stanza 6: The ship leaves harbour

'The ship was cheered, the harbour cleared, Merrily did we drop Below the kirk, below the hill, Below the lighthouse top.'

The Mariner begins his story about a ship that sailed from its harbor long ago. When the ship left the harbor, the people on shore cheered and celebrated its departure. The crew dropped below various landmarks—the church (kirk), the hill, and the lighthouse—as the ship moved out to sea. The word "merrily" indicates that the departure was happy and celebratory. The ship sailed away from civilization and the familiar sights of the town. As the ship moved farther away, the known landmarks disappeared from view one by one—first the church, then the hill, then the lighthouse. This shows the gradual departure from safety and familiarity into the unknown world of the open sea. The crew was happy and excited about the voyage ahead. They did not know what dangers and strange experiences awaited them on their journey. The image of the ship sailing below these familiar landmarks creates a sense of departure from normal human civilization into a different realm. This marks the beginning of the Mariner's extraordinary tale of adventure and suffering at sea.

Stanza 7: The sun's journey across the sky

'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.'

The Mariner describes the journey at sea and the movement of the sun across the sky. The sun rises on the left side of the ship, which means the ship is sailing toward the south. The sun appears to come up from the ocean itself, creating a beautiful sight. The sun shines bright and warm on the sailors. As the day continues, the sun moves across the sky and sets into the sea on the right side of the ship. The sun is described as "he," giving it human qualities and making it seem like a person rising and setting. This poetic description creates vivid imagery of the journey. The repetition of "the sea" emphasizes that the ship is completely surrounded by ocean. The sun's movement shows the passage of time as the voyage continues. During this part of the journey, conditions are still favorable. The sun shines brightly, suggesting that the crew is still in a period of relative safety and happiness. However, the reader knows from the previous stanzas that disaster is coming. This description of peaceful sailing makes the coming storm and tragedy even more shocking when they occur.

Stanza 8: The sun rises higher each day

'Higher and higher every day, Till over the mast at noon—' The Wedding-Guest here beat his breast, For he heard the loud bassoon.

The Mariner's description of the voyage is interrupted by sounds from the wedding celebration. As the Mariner speaks about the sun rising higher and higher each day until it goes directly over the mast at noon, the Wedding Guest is distracted by the music from the wedding. The Wedding Guest beats his chest in frustration because he can hear the loud sound of a bassoon (a musical instrument) from the wedding hall. The Mariner has been telling his story, but the sounds of the wedding celebration remind the Wedding Guest that he is missing an important family event. This stanza creates an interesting contrast between the Mariner's tale and the wedding celebration happening nearby. The Wedding Guest is caught between two worlds—the beautiful celebration he desperately wants to attend and the mysterious tale he is forced to listen to. The interruption shows the Wedding Guest's internal conflict. However, despite his desire to leave, he cannot escape the Mariner's hypnotic power. The Wedding Guest remains sitting on the stone, unable to leave to join the celebration.

Stanza 9: The bride enters the wedding hall

The bride hath paced into the hall, Red as a rose is she; Nodding their heads before her goes The merry minstrelsy.

The sounds from the wedding become more vivid as the Mariner continues his story. The bride has entered the wedding hall looking beautiful and blushing red like a rose. This description emphasizes her youth and beauty. Musicians play cheerful music before the bride. They nod their heads in rhythm with the music as they walk in front of the bride. The word "minstrelsy" refers to the musicians and the music they play. The image of the bride entering the hall in all her beauty and joy contrasts sharply with the dark tale the Wedding Guest is hearing from the Mariner. While inside the hall a beautiful celebration is happening with music, dancing, and joyful people, the Wedding Guest sits outside listening to a story of suffering and tragedy. This stanza emphasizes what the Wedding Guest is missing by being forced to listen to the Mariner. The bride's happiness highlights the irony of the Wedding Guest's situation—he is outside in the darkness listening to stories of death and punishment while his family celebrates inside.

Stanza 10: the wedding guest still cannot leave

The Wedding-Guest he beat his breast, Yet he cannot choose but hear; And thus spake on that ancient man, The bright-eyed Mariner.

The Wedding Guest once again beats his breast in frustration and desperation. He can hear the music and celebration from the wedding, and he desperately wants to join the festivities. However, despite his desire to leave and his internal struggle, he still cannot choose but hear the Mariner's story. The power of the Mariner's hypnotic eye keeps him bound to the stone on which he sits. The Mariner continues speaking to the helpless young man. The repetition of the phrase "cannot choose but hear" emphasizes the Wedding Guest's complete lack of control over his situation. This stanza shows the depth of the Mariner's supernatural power. It is so strong that not even the desire to participate in an important family celebration can break its hold. The Mariner's power transcends normal human desires and social obligations. The Wedding Guest is torn between two worlds, but the Mariner's supernatural force wins the conflict. This moment reveals the magnitude of what is to come in the tale. If the Mariner's power is strong enough to overcome such powerful human desires, his story must be extraordinary indeed.

Stanza 11: The terrible storm arrives

And now the STORM-BLAST came, and he Was tyrannous and strong: He struck with his o'ertaking wings, And chased us south along.

The Mariner's peaceful description is suddenly interrupted by the appearance of a terrible storm. The storm is personified—it is given human qualities and described as "he" as if it is a person with will and power. The storm is described as "tyrannous," which means it is cruel, violent, and in complete control. It is "strong," showing that it has great power that cannot be resisted by the sailors. The storm is compared to a bird of prey with "o'ertaking wings," suggesting that it pursues the ship like a predator hunting its victim. The storm "chases" the ship southward, showing that the sailors have no control over their direction—they are being pushed by the storm. This stanza shows a complete change in the tone of the poem and the narrative. Where before there was peace and calm sailing, now there is violence and danger. The storm represents the forces of nature that are far more powerful than human beings. The sailors cannot fight against the storm; they can only be driven before it. This marks the beginning of the tragic part of the voyage that will test the crew's strength and will lead to great suffering and death.

Stanza 12: The ship bends under the storm, rapid flight southward

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.

The Mariner describes how the storm's violence affects the ship itself. The masts of the ship are bending and sloping from the force of the wind. The front of the ship, called the prow, is dipping down into the sea as the waves crash over it. The ship looks as if it is bending forward. The Mariner compares this to a person who is being chased by an enemy. When someone is running from a pursuer, they bend their body forward as they try to escape. The enemy is so close that the fleeing person can see the enemy's shadow falling on the ground. The enemy is yelling threats and threatening to strike the person. In the same way, the ship appears to be bending forward as if trying to escape from the pursuing storm. The comparison between the ship and a hunted person creates a vivid image of fear and desperation. The violent action verbs—"pursued," "yell," "blow"—emphasize the intense violence of the storm. The ship and crew are helpless victims of nature's power. They are being hunted and chased, unable to escape or find safety.

The storm continues to push the ship forward at great speed. The wind roars loudly, making terrible noise. The sailors flee southward, driven by the storm's force. The word "aye" is an archaic word meaning "always" or "continually," and "fled" means "ran away." The ship is moving rapidly and uncontrollably in the direction the storm pushes it. The loud "roaring" of the storm's blast is emphasized through the sound of the words themselves. The repetition of violent imagery creates a sense of overwhelming danger and chaos. The crew has no control over their direction or speed. They are completely at the mercy of the storm. The direction southward is significant because it is taking them away from familiar waters and toward the cold, icy Antarctic region. The sailors do not know this yet, but this storm is driving them toward the place where the albatross will appear and where their greatest suffering will begin. The stanza emphasizes the crew's complete helplessness in the face of nature's power. They can only hold on and try to survive as the storm carries them toward unknown and dangerous waters.

Stanza 13: Mist, snow, and cold arrive

And now there came both mist and snow, And it grew wondrous cold: And ice, mast-high, came floating by, As green as emerald.

The Mariner describes the terrible weather conditions that develop as the ship is driven southward. Mist and snow begin to fall around the ship. The temperature drops drastically, and the crew experiences extreme cold. Huge chunks of ice, as tall as the ship's mast, come floating past the vessel. Interestingly, the ice has a greenish color, like emeralds. This beautiful description of the ice contrasts with the danger and death it represents. The ship has entered the Antarctic region, where temperatures are freezing and conditions are hostile to human life. The crew finds itself in a desolate and frozen landscape that seems like another world. The green color of the ice creates an eerie and supernatural atmosphere. The ice is not white and pure but has a strange, unnatural color. This color may suggest that the crew has entered a place where normal rules of nature do not apply. The falling mist and snow reduce visibility, making it difficult for the crew to see what lies ahead. The extreme cold penetrates the sailors' bodies and threatens their survival. This stanza marks a dramatic change in the environment the ship encounters, and it prepares the reader for the strange and supernatural events that will follow.

Stanza 14: The icebergs and desolate landscape

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.

The ship is surrounded by floating chunks of ice called "drifts." Tall cliffs of ice and snow surround the ship. These icebergs send out a "dismal sheen," which means they reflect light in a sad and gloomy way. The word "dismal" emphasizes the frightening and depressing atmosphere. The crew cannot see any signs of human life or animals. The word "ken" is an old-fashioned word meaning "see" or "know." The only thing that exists in this landscape is ice—it is all between the ship and any living creatures. The crew has entered a frozen, dead, lifeless world. The beautiful green and white light reflecting from the ice creates a strange and frightening landscape. There is no warmth, no life, no hope in this place. The crew suddenly finds itself in a desolate and isolated region of the world. They are trapped among towering walls of ice with no way to escape. This Antarctic setting becomes the backdrop for the appearance of the albatross, which will change everything for the crew. The desolation and hopelessness of the landscape mirror the spiritual and psychological state of the crew. They are isolated not only geographically but also spiritually from the normal world.

Stanza 15: The ice makes terrible sounds

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!

The Mariner emphasizes the overwhelming presence of ice by repeating that it is everywhere. The ice surrounds the ship completely on all sides—here, there, and all around. The ice is not just present; it is alive with terrible sounds. The ice cracks with sharp, breaking sounds. It growls and roars like an angry animal. It howls like a living creature in pain or rage. These sounds are terrifying and create a sense of danger. The word "swound" is an archaic word meaning "swoon" or "faint," but here it refers to a state of unconsciousness or confusion. The noises are so strange and frightening that they sound like they come from an unreal or dreamlike place. The use of sound words—"cracked," "growled," "roared," "howled"—creates an auditory experience for the reader. We can almost hear the ice breaking and the terrible sounds coming from it. The repetition of "ice" at the beginning of each line emphasizes how the crew's entire world has become ice. They are surrounded by a hostile, violent natural force. The sounds of the ice represent the voice of nature itself, warning them of the danger ahead. The ice is described as if it is a living creature with feelings and the power to speak.

Stanza 16: The albatross appears

At length did cross an Albatross, Thorough the fog it came; As if it had been a Christian soul, We hailed it in God's name.

After a long time in the frightening icy waters, something unexpected happens. A large white sea bird called an albatross appears. It comes through the thick fog that surrounds the ship. The word "thorough" is an archaic form of "through." The sailors are so amazed and relieved by the appearance of the bird that they treat it as if it is a holy being—a Christian soul sent from God. They welcome the bird and greet it with words of blessing, saying they hail it in God's name. The appearance of the albatross represents hope and salvation after the crew's terrible experience in the ice. The bird is white, which symbolizes purity and goodness. The crew's response to the bird shows their desperation and their belief that the bird is a sign of good luck and divine protection. The albatross becomes immediately important in the poem. It represents innocence, nature, and beauty. The crew's reaction shows their respect for the bird. They see it as a blessed creature sent by God. This moment of hope is crucial because it is followed by the Mariner's terrible act of killing the bird, which sets the entire tragedy in motion.

Stanza 17: The albatross eats and circles the ship

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!

The albatross begins to eat food that the sailors offer to it. This food is not something the bird has ever eaten before, but it accepts the sailors' offering gratefully. The bird flies around and around the ship in circles. As the albatross flies, something miraculous happens. The ice that had trapped the ship begins to split apart with a loud, violent sound like thunder. The helmsman (the sailor steering the ship) guides the vessel through the opening in the ice created by the bird's presence. The albatross is working miracles for the crew. The bird's arrival and the splitting of the ice suggest that the bird has brought divine blessing and help. The sailors believe that the albatross has the power to break through nature's barriers. The bird's circular flight pattern around the ship creates a sense of protection and blessing. The crew sees the albatross as their savior. They feel gratitude toward the bird for helping them escape from the deadly ice trap. This stanza shows the albatross at its most heroic and helpful. The bird is actively saving the crew from certain death. This makes what happens next—the killing of the bird—even more shocking and inexplicable.

Stanza 18: The favourable wind and the albatross follows

And a good south wind sprung up behind; The Albatross did follow, And every day, for food or play, Came to the mariner's hollo!

Immediately after the albatross appears, a favorable south wind begins to blow. The wind comes from behind the ship, pushing it forward and helping it escape from the ice. The albatross begins to follow the ship, flying behind it as they sail. The word "sprung up" suggests that the wind appeared suddenly, as if in response to the bird's arrival. Every day, the albatross comes to the ship, and it responds when the Mariner calls to it. The bird visits the ship to eat food that the sailors give it and to play with the crew members. The friendly relationship between the albatross and the crew develops as they sail together. The albatross is no longer just a visitor—it has become a companion and a friend to the sailors. The bird symbolizes good luck and protection. The crew believes that the albatross brought the helpful wind and is protecting them on their journey. The bird's presence brings comfort and hope to the suffering sailors. This stanza shows the peak of the positive relationship between the crew and the albatross. The crew treats the bird with love and kindness. They feed it, play with it, and depend on it for their safety. This makes what happens next—the killing of the bird—even more shocking and terrible.

Stanza 19: The albatross perches on the masts

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.

The albatross perches on the ship's masts and ropes (called shrouds) to rest and sleep. It lives on the ship for nine days, which the Mariner describes as "vespers nine," referring to the evening prayer time in churches. The bird rests on the ship whether there is mist or cloud in the air. During the night, while the albatross sleeps, the crew observes the white moonlight glimmering through the white fog. The image is peaceful and beautiful. The albatross has become part of the ship's crew. It is accepted and beloved by all the sailors. The bird's presence during the day and night becomes comforting to the crew. The moonlight shining through the fog creates a magical and ethereal atmosphere. The repetition of the word "white" (white moonshine, fog-smoke white, white moonshine) emphasizes the purity and innocence of this moment. The albatross, with its white feathers, represents this purity. The crew and the bird have formed a bond based on mutual care and companionship. The nine days that the albatross spends on the ship represent a period of grace and protection. This moment of peace and connection between humans and nature is about to be destroyed by the Mariner's senseless act of violence.

Stanza 20: The terrible confession

'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.'

The Wedding Guest, who has been listening to the Mariner's story, suddenly notices that the old sailor looks terrified and guilty. The Guest becomes concerned for the Mariner's wellbeing and prays to God to save him from evil spirits or demons that seem to torment him. The Wedding Guest asks the Mariner why he has such a frightened and guilty expression on his face. What has caused him to look so afraid? The answer is shocking and unexpected. The Mariner confesses that he shot and killed the albatross with his crossbow. This confession is one of the most important moments in the entire poem. The reader learns that the Mariner has committed a terrible act of violence against the innocent bird that the crew loved and cared for. The albatross did nothing wrong. It was kind and helpful to the sailors. Yet the Mariner killed it deliberately with his weapon. The reason for this killing is never explained, which makes the act even more troubling and mysterious. The Mariner's terrible crime against nature sets in motion all the suffering and punishment that follows. This stanza marks the turning point where hope and peace are destroyed by human cruelty and thoughtlessness.