Why the mariner shot the albatross
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is a very interesting poem by the great Samuel Coleridge. A lot of people feel that the poem has no meaning. And that it doesn't delve on anything significant. Others will argue that this poem is one of the more important pieces in all of english literature. I feel that although I dont see the true meaning of the curse that the Mariner has after he kills the albatross, but I do have my ideas as to why he did kill the bird. And also what came from killing the bird, the curse. While at sea with his fellow shipmates the mariner saw an albatross. The albatross had become somewhat of a pet to the mariners, and would come when they called its name. The reason the mariner and the shipmates took a liking to the bird is because of the good luck that it brought to them while they were at sea. The albatross brought a good wind, and good luck “and a good south wind sprung up behind; the albatross did follow”. Then the mariner shot the albatross, that in turn brought bad luck to the mariner and his shipmates. The ship really slowed down, the water turned to ice, and all of his shipmates died. And the reason was because he killed the bird. I feel that he killed the bird because he wanted to play god. Because of the bird bringing joy and good luck and acting as a god like figure. So the mariner killed him to take on that role himself. And he did so unsuccessfully. Because instead of bringing more luck he instead through despair and death. Along with the albatross being killed, all of his friends died. And along with his shipmates dying, he had to watch them die and that in some ways could be considered his punishment. What came after the killing of the albatross can be described as a curse on the mariner. He would always be reminded of what happened and tried to explain to others. And when he would explain it would create a somber mood, in turn make everyone around him feel the same way he does. This is shown when the mariner finishes the