My soul in Agony Essay Example

foolish imagination? The situation turned favorable as "a good south wind sprung up behind," leading to a state of reassurance and independence for the Mariner.

The feelings of isolation and fear at the South Pole have disappeared completely. The reason for the mariner's bird killing was unspoken, yet one can imagine he had an internal argument questioning the albatross's ability to bring the south wind or split the ice. He may have debated whether this bird was a sign from above or if he was merely imagining it. Ultimately, he decided to kill the bird to confirm his doubts. This tendency towards skepticism of the supernatural is typical of human nature. Coleridge wrote during a time of great debate about God, the church, and salvation. He allegorizes the killing of the albatross to humanity's attempt to dissect, rationalize, and understand supernatural power with finite minds, which ultimately leads to isolation from God and deepest solitude. The Mariner loses all breath, life, and motion. How independent can we actually be?

The ship is taken into a vacuum-like space known as the "silent sea," isolating it from the great sea. The lack of movement in this space causes the sails to droop and the ship to become stationary, resembling a painted ship on a painted ocean. Like a prisoner, the mariners are stuck in isolation without any means of escape. The water surrounding the ship is slimy and filled with crawling creatures, making it impossible for the mariners to swim. Furthermore, the mariners are robbed of their ability to communicate through speech due to thirst, leaving them even lonelier. The ancient mariner is reminded of his selfish act

of killing the bird as his crew gives him accusing looks, making him realize his solitude in this situation.

The mariner is ultimately left alone in an environment of isolation and darkness after two hundred men succumb to death. Although the mariner is not granted an easy death, he undergoes purgatorial torment in isolation, with only his own thoughts, heart, and soul. Why must he suffer so greatly for killing a bird? The mariner did not simply slaughter a bird; he acted selfishly and arrogantly, challenging God by believing he could solely navigate the ship without divine aid. He disregarded the opinions of his crew and failed to acknowledge the potential risks he posed to them. He was too preoccupied with himself to consider the world's mechanics at large. Isn't this akin to humanity itself? Often, we view ourselves as the sole navigators of our existence, neglecting the creations, beauty, and people who shape our fates. We waste too much time focusing inwardly.

The poet suggests that the mariner should be left alone as his punishment, because he disregarded everything and was cut off from society, spirituality, and physicality. Although he attempted to pray, his heart remained unrepentant and he even envied his dead crew. Coleridge portrays a common human state of depression, isolation, and suicidal thoughts that arise from excessive self-focus and detachment from the world. This mirrors Job's experience in the Old Testament when one loses everything and is left alone with their thoughts and God. The mariner's isolation allowed for spiritual growth, contemplation, repentance and self-renewal; however it would not have been possible without an opportunity to examine his soul.

Coleridge emphasizes the

importance of solitude in this passage, prompting us to reflect on our innermost depths. The question of whether love is crucial to existence is raised and challenges us to consider whether our love would endure if everything we held dear was taken away. In the case of the mariner, it was love that ultimately set him free. However, his heart had to undergo a transformation and learn to appreciate beauty even in repulsive creatures. His ability to love the unlovable redeemed him. Using water-snakes as redemption was a deliberate and brilliant choice by the poet, as snakes are associated with vileness, unsightliness, poison, and diabolical traits traditionally. Christ urged followers to show compassion for all God's creations no matter how small or insignificant they may appear in order to gain entry into heaven.

The mariner had to obey a challenging command from God, and although it was difficult, he had no choice. His unintentional blessings upon creatures showed his love and repentance even for the smallest beings. The experience of intense loneliness left him wiser but also more sorrowful. He has gained an understanding of the significance of companionship and values it whether it comes from another person, nature or an animal. Furthermore, he is humbled by God's supremacy over everything.

The Mariner believes that it is not good for man to be alone and that there is nothing sweeter than walking together to church with good company, praying together, and loving all things. His message preaches unity and love with God and all of creation. Based on the discussed parallels with Christianity, it can be inferred that this poem has Christian influences and represents the essential

Christian message of Sin (when the mariner kills the bird), Repentance (when the mariner expresses love), Grace (when the curse falls), and testimony (the mariner lives to tell his story). Other Christian parallels can also be drawn, such as the Albatross shooting being similar to stories of betrayal in Judeo-Christian history, such as Adam and Eve's original sin or Cain's betrayal of Abel.

Just as Adam and Eve disobeyed God, the Ancient Mariner also disobeys and desires to comprehend what is meant to remain inexplicable. Similar to them, his defiance distances him from the divine, leaving him in a state more akin to purgatory than Eden. Similarly to Cain, the Ancient Mariner's action of murdering a cherished creation infuriates God. In essence, the Ancient Mariner embodies the archetypal Judas or the universal sinner who betrays God by taking the life of his messenger.

The murder of the "Christian soul" resembling Judas and hindering salvation and understanding of Divinity is seen in the interpretation of the Albatross as Christ. According to some readers, the Albatross is representative of Christ, as it was a God-sent messenger meant to save the souls of men on the Ship, a soul which the Mariner's disbelieving heart killed. This is similar to the unbelieving hearts during Coleridge's era of Revolution, who aimed to shut down churches. When the Albatross hung around the Ancient Mariner's neck as a symbol of his sin, it represents carrying the cross on his shoulders, as Christ did when bearing sins of mankind. Baptism, a symbol of cleansing from sin and curse, is represented by rain. Ultimately, the Ancient Mariner transforms into an odd prophet, akin to John

the Baptist being a prophet in the wilderness, kept alive to disseminate God's reality to His chosen ones. As Coleridge emphasizes, Isolation is the final option that leads people to know God, for it is only when we are desperate and left with no other recourse that God becomes our sole hope.