How was the Mariner relieved of his sufferings?
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is a notable literary work by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
Answer
How was the Mariner relieved of his sufferings?
Or, how was the old sailor relieved of his curses?
In Coleridge’s (1772-1834) “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” (1798), the Mariner is cursed after he kills an innocent albatross. His crewmates die as punishment. The dead albatross is hung around his neck like a heavy burden. He suffers terribly from thirst. He is surrounded by death and he is unable to pray. But his suffering begins to end when he learns to love all living things.
Blessing Slimy Creature: One night, the mariner notices slimy water snakes shining in the moonlight. At first, he saw them as ugly and disgusting, but after spending many days alone, he suddenly noticed their beauty. His heart changes. He sees their beauty and feels love for them. He blesses them with his heart, saying:
“O happy living things! no tongue
Their beauty might declare:”
This act of love breaks the curse. The albatross falls from his neck and sinks into the sea. He is freed from the weight of his sin.
Rain, Spirits, and Burden: Rain falls, ending his thirst. Supernatural spirits (angels) move the ship without wind. The spirits guide the ship to the shore. However, his relief was not complete. When he finally reached land, he met a Hermit, a holy man. The Mariner told the Hermit his story, which made him feel lighter. But his final punishment remained—he had to keep telling his story forever. Whenever he felt pain, he knew he had to find someone to tell his story. He tells people to love:
“All things both great and small.”
To sum up, the Mariner’s relief comes in steps: loving the water snakes breaks the curse, the spirits guide him home, and telling his story forever helps him heal. His lesson is clear; love God’s creatures, both great and small.