Who wrote the poem The Ryme of the Ancient Mariner?

Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

“The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” is a poem written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, one of the most important figures of the English Romantic movement. First published in 1798 as part of “Lyrical Ballads,” a collaborative volume with William Wordsworth that is often credited with marking the beginning of the Romantic Age in English literature, Coleridge’s poem stands as a masterpiece of Romantic poetry, notable for its innovative use of language, supernatural elements, and exploration of themes such as guilt, redemption, and man’s relationship with the natural world.

“The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” is a narrative poem that tells the tale of an old seafarer who recounts his eerie sea voyage to a wedding guest he meets. During the voyage, the Mariner shoots and kills an albatross, a bird considered to be a good omen, bringing misfortune upon himself and his shipmates. The poem then delves into the Mariner’s intense guilt and his long journey towards redemption, exploring the consequences of his actions through encounters with supernatural forces, including spirits, a ghostly ship, and the personifications of Death and Life-in-Death.

Coleridge’s poem is renowned for its rich imagery, vivid storytelling, and moral complexity. It employs a range of literary devices, including repetition and alliteration, to create a rhythmic and haunting narrative. The poem also reflects the Romantic fascination with the sublime and the supernatural, as well as a deep concern for the environment, highlighted by the Mariner’s realization of the sanctity of all living things.

“The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” has had a profound impact on literature and the arts, influencing countless writers, artists, and musicians since its publication. Its themes of sin, suffering, and salvation, as well as its exploration of humanity’s place in the universe, continue to resonate with readers and scholars. Coleridge’s ability to weave complex theological and philosophical ideas into a compelling narrative has cemented “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” as a seminal work in the canon of English literature, showcasing the depth and breadth of the Romantic movement’s contributions to the development of poetry and thought.