A Study on the Symbolic Meanings of the“Sea”in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

李承洁

【Abstract】The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in the Romantic period of England. This paper focuses on the exploration of the symbolic meanings of the image of “sea” from three aspects： the image of “Destiny”， “God”， and “A loving mother”， then concludes that the “sea” has spiritual connotation which can give inspiration to human beings.

【Key words】Sea； Destiny； God

1. Introduction

In The Rime of the Ancient Mariner， Coleridge uses “sea” as the main scene of the story， and through the description of the changeable “sea” and the mariners big rise and fall， he endows profound meanings to the “sea”.

2. The Symbolic Meanings of the “Sea”

2.1 “Sea” Symbolizes the Image of “Destiny”

In the poem， the “sea” symbolizes the human beings destiny are mastered by a kind of mysterious and irresistible power and the sailors lives are destined by that power. At first， the ship sails out from England， then， two hundred sailors die， at last， an ancient Mariner comes back his hometown lonely. The seas power takes effect in this voyage. When the sailing begin， the sea is green like the precious stone. When an albatross is killed， the seawater begins to rot and slimy， later， the sea is sultry and red. At last， the sea is recovered to be green and silent. The changeable sea mirrors mariners hardships and bitter life.

2.2 “Sea” Symbolizes the Image of “God”

The sea embodies the will of God in the unseen world. As the albatross is created by God and the death of the albatross violates the will of God and brings disaster to the ship. When the mariners sink into the ice world full of despair， the albatross brings joy. Unfortunately， the mariner kills the albatross. It is his sin that brings all to doom. The fiendish sea begins the revenge. The thrillingness， dreadfulness， and deathly stillness created by sea like a punishment to the mariners sin. Any actions that try to conquer or drive sea are doomed to be a failure.

2.3 “Sea” Symbolizes the Image of “A loving mother”

In the poem， the “sea” symbolizes the image of “a loving mother”， because mother can forgive the mistakes of children， similarly， sea has a tolerant heart like mother. When the mariner is tortured by loneliness， fortunately， the kindness of sea awakens the desperate soul of the mariner. Because of the mariners confession to sea and sea's broad-minded， the miracle happens. The ancient mariner comes back his hometown safely. The “Sea” not only forgives the mistakes of mariners， but also utilizes her tolerant heart to inspire the mariner to feel grateful and be tolerable. Finally， the mariner devotes to wake up the fatuous and innocent soul.

3. Conclusion

As the vivid image in the nature， the “sea” is the spiritual homeland of human being， the belonging of creatures soul， and the destination of ideal. In this poem， the image of “sea” symbolizes the mysterious power of destiny that can master the fortune of human beings， or “God” who can punish the crime， or “a loving mother” who can forgive the mistakes of human beings. To conclude， the “sea” has spiritual connation which can give inspiration to human beings.

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