“The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” Study Guide Questions
These are your study guide questions for Coleridge’s poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” Know
them! Love them! You are answering ALL of the questions this time around and we will be finishing this poem
before ski week, so be sure you keep up with the reading and discussions. As always, each chapter must be
submitted to TURNITIN.COM by 7:00 on the day it is due.
*You do not need to turn in a hard copy of these study guide questions! I’m making the transition to
online submissions, so MAKE SURE your questions actually go through on turnitin.com.
Part I
1. What is the message of the epitaph? How does it add to your understanding of the poem?
2. What physical descriptions of the Mariner does the speaker give? How do you imagine the Mariner looks?
3. The Wedding Guest is unable to tear himself away from the Mariner and his story. Why? What is keeping
him so captivated
4. What is the significance of the Wedding Guest? Think about the symbolism of weddings. What does it
matter that he is detained on his way to one?
5. Discuss the symbolism of the Albatross. How is it characterized? How does the crew view/treat the
Albatross?
6. Why does the Mariner shoot the Albatross? Is any reason given? What do you think?
7. What is your opinion of the Mariner? What can you infer about him based on his actions so far?
Part II and Part III
1. After the Mariner shoots the Albatross, how does the crew react at first? How do they react later? Why this
switch?
2. Explain the paradox in the following lines: “Water, water every where/ Nor any drop to drink.”
3. What happens to the ship and the crew after the Mariner shoots the Albatross? Why does the crew hang the
Albatross around the Mariner’s neck?
4. Logistically, why does the Mariner need to drink his own blood? What might be some deeper symbolism at
work here?
5. Explain what happens when the mystery ship approaches. Who are the crew of this ship? What happens to
the crew of the Mariner’s ship?
6. List three examples of personification in the poem so far and explain their significance.
Part IV and Part V
1. Analyze the fourth stanza of Part IV. How does the Mariner feel about his men? How does he feel about the
“slimy things”?
2. How does he feel about himself at this point in the poem?
3. What is the symbolism of the Mariner’s inability to pray?
4. The Mariner curses the “slimy things” at first. Why does he then bless them? What is the symbolism of the
Albatross falling from around his neck?
5. How is the ship finally able to sail again? Talk about all the different factors making this happen.
Part VI and Part VII and a wrap-up
1. How is the Mariner saved and finally able to get home again?
2. Why must the Mariner keep retelling his tale? Does this seem like a just punishment? Why or why not?
3. What religious symbolism exists within the entirety of this poem?
4. Discuss the symbolism of the breeze that appears and disappears at different times throughout the poem.
5. Discuss the symbolism of eyes throughout the poem.