Samuel Taylor Coleridge and The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Samuel Taylor Coleridge, born in Devonshire in 1772, stands as a towering figure in the Romanticismo inglese letteratura. His life and works embody the essence of the Romantic movement, particularly through his masterpiece, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner."
Coleridge's early life was marked by intellectual pursuits and utopian ideals. He established a community called Pantisocracy, reflecting his visionary thinking. However, it was his collaboration with William Wordsworth that would prove most influential in shaping the course of English literature.
Highlight: The collection "Lyrical Ballads," featuring "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," became the Manifesto del Romanticismo inglese, revolutionizing poetic expression and themes.
"The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" is a complex narrative poem structured in seven parts. Set against the backdrop of vast seas, scorching days, and moonlit nights, the poem weaves a tale of supernatural events, moral transgression, and ultimate redemption.
Example: The poem's setting in the wide sea with "days of hot sun and nights lit by the moon" creates an atmospheric backdrop for the supernatural events to unfold.
The poem's structure is noteworthy, consisting of two parallel narratives:
- The captions that provide context
- The poem itself, which tells the Mariner's haunting tale
Vocabulary: "Argument" - A short summary preceding the poem, providing an overview of the narrative.
The story begins with the Ancient Mariner stopping a Wedding Guest to recount his tale. This framing device sets the stage for the Mariner's extraordinary journey, which includes:
- A ship sailing southward
- A storm driving the ship towards the South Pole
- The appearance and subsequent killing of an Albatross
- The crew's initial anger and later justification of the bird's death
- Extreme thirst and death of the crew
- The Mariner's spiritual epiphany upon seeing Water Snakes
Quote: "At this moment he becomes inspired, and has a spiritual realization that all of God's creatures are beautiful and must be treated with respect and reverence."
This moment of realization is crucial to The Rime of the Ancient Mariner morale, highlighting themes of respect for nature and divine creation.
