How does Coleridge achieve ‘willing suspension of disbelief in his poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”?

Answer

How does S. T. Coleridge achieve ‘willing suspension of disbelief’ in his poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”?

The term “willing suspension of disbelief” was introduced by S. T. Coleridge (1772-1834) himself in his book Biographia Literaria in 1817. It refers to the idea that readers willingly accept the fantastical elements of a story as true for the sake of enjoyment. In other words, readers set aside their doubts about whether something is realistic or possible and let themselves get immersed in the story.

In “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” (1798), Coleridge uses this concept to make his supernatural and imaginative poem believable and captivating. The poem is filled with magical and otherworldly elements. Coleridge uses several techniques to achieve this “willing suspension of disbelief.”

The Frame Narrative: The poem begins with a real-world setting: the Mariner stops a Wedding Guest to tell him his story. The Wedding Guest is a relatable character who reacts to the Mariner’s tale with fear, disbelief, and curiosity, just as the reader might. This framing makes the story feel grounded, as if it is happening in a world we recognize. As the Mariner’s supernatural story unfolds, readers are more likely to accept it—because it is presented as a personal confession.

Vivid Imagery/Descriptions: Coleridge uses vivid imagery to bring the story to life. For example, when describing the icebergs in the Antarctic, he writes:

“And ice, mast-high, came floating by,

As green as emerald.”

This vivid picture helps readers visualize the strange and eerie setting. The same goes for the ghostly ship and the sea creatures. The descriptions are so rich that readers can imagine these scenes clearly, even if they are fantastical.

Universal Themes: The poem explores universal themes like sin, guilt, redemption/salvation, and the connection between humans and nature. These universal themes make the story even more believable, even though it is full of supernatural elements. The Mariner kills the Albatross which is a bird of good omen and