Rime of the Ancient Mariner

[ironic_lettuce]

Hi everyone

Ive just read the RotAM with brief accompanying notes and one thing puzzles me - why did the mariner shoot the albatross in the first place? Wasnt it a good omen?

Any thoughts?

[monaliza]

I think there was no reason for killing the albatross,and that's why the Mariner suffered in the rest of the poem,and when he felt his guilt action and realised that he've done somthing against nature's law for killing the albatross for no reason ,every thing began to turn on its right state.
I hope this could help u

[Nerd]

perhaps it was subconscious.

the bird is perfectly good, right? well, we, as humans reject the perfectly good. We think it's strange when someone's too nice.

Everything has a purpose.

[Miranda]

Do you think that it's possible that the Mariner didn't believe in omens? Perhaps he killed the albatross to prove that there were no such things because at first, after shooting the albatross their good luck continues, 'the good south wind still blew behind..the glorious sun upprist' Also the crew at first agree with him shooting the bird - until their fortunes begin to change, then they blame him.

The language makes me wonder if he did shoot the bird - although he does actually admit 'With my cross-bow, I shot the Albatross.' But when the crew talk about him shooting the albatross ' they avver' he' d killed the bird - hinting perhaps that he wasn't guilty of it, they only think he was. Just some thoughts anyway..maybe rubbishy ones!! It's late and I am gonna bed!!

Miranda

[ironic_lettuce]

Thanks guys - v helpful :nod:

and just because i cant post a thread without it
:banana:
a dancing banana
genius

Thanks again guys!