Romantic Elements in 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner'

Though we are asked to find out Romantic elements of the poem entitled 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner', I think it is better to have a light idea about romanticism. "Romanticism is derived from the word 'romance'. It means to give full play imagination. It refers to the Romantic Movement in late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. This movement is indicated by C. H. Herford as the liberty of imagination without the flight of imaginative sensibility we may have anything else except romanticism.

How does the Rime of the Ancient Mariner relate to romanticism?

The impression of Coleridge’s supernatural reinforces his approval of romanticism, as the supernatural is a common romantic theme. “Life-in-death” and “Death” are both supernatural existences that derive to the mariner's ship in order to decide his fate for killing the Albatross.

Romantic poetry is characterized by a love for imagination. Coleridge is the most imaginative poet. It is home and created out of imaginative play of the poet on the matter at his disposal. C. M. Bowra says, "Coleridge believed in the imagination as a vehicle of truth." The tannin structure of this poem has come from a dream of Coleridge's friend Cruik Share. In this poem Coleridge has represented an imaginary world. If we make a journey to that imaginary world with the help of imaginary wings we will come across many imaginary character, But Coleridge's power of mixing imaginary thing into believable is too delicate that we cannot but believe.

Romantic poetry is also characterized by a love for supernatural. Supernatural pervades all over the poem. But Coleridge's handling of supernatural character and machinery is so fine that they seem to us not only externally convincing but also psychologically. In his poem Coleridge has used supernatural character like spirit in such a way that it appears natural.

"Under the keel nine fathom deep

From the land of mist and snow

The spirit slid; and it was he

That made the ship to go."

Romantic poetry is also characterized by a love for Nature. In this respect Coleridge is not less superior than Wordsworth , the high priest of Nature. Nature pervades all over the poem. Coleridge is bolder than his contemporaries in describing the unseen, that he has never seen like ice barges-

"The ice was here, the ice was there

The ice was all around,

It crack'd and growl'd, and roar'd and howl'd.

Like noises in a swound!"

This poem is also marked with a note of Coleridge's love for sensuousness. The sweet colours of the water snakes have been depicted so brightly that a sensuous quality has been emerged out of it.

This poem is also marked with a note of Coleridge's love for the remote past. In this poem Coleridge turns to the middle age poetry. From the mention of merry to the penance in catholic style we may have the touch of middle age. The vesper bell, the crossbow etc._: are medieval instruments. In this poem Coleridge has also used medieval verse like alliteration, onomatopoeia etc. that were Prominent features in the Anglo Saxon or old German poetry. In this poem he has also used a series of archaic words like eftsoon, loon, sheen, countree, wretch etc.

Coleridge is one of the best musicians in English Literature. His music is so audible that it creates a hypnotic effect upon our minds. He has used alternation onomatopoeia etc. successfully in his poetry. The following stanzas may be quoted for example

“The fair breeze blew the white foam flew

The furrow followed free;

Into that silent sea.” (alliteration)”

In conclusion, we can say in respect of the delineation as stated above-Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, consists of most of romantic elements or characteristics.