Respect for Nature in Rime of the Ancient Mariner Essay -- Rime Ancien

Respect for Nature in Rime of the Ancient Mariner  Ã‚  Ã‚   "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is a parable of a seaman's crime against nature (pointlessly killing an albatross) and his repentance by blessing the lowly water-snakes.   Setting the poem in the Middle Ages in the then-unknown seas near Antarctica, the poet is able to make his narrative credible and give the reader what is called 'the willing suspension of disbelief.'   "    This seven part ballad begins as a tale told by an "ancient Mariner" who has grabbed hold of a Wedding Guest and captivates his will by sharing his wild tale at sea: "The Wedding-Guest stood still, And listens like a three years' child: The Mariner hath his will."   The ancient mariner tells us about a great Albatross, "At length did cross an Albatross, Thorough the fog it came; As if it had been a Christian soul, We hailed it in God's name." The Albatross brought "a good south wind" and enjoyment for the mariners. But then, for no reason, the ancient Mariner says that "With my crossbow I shot the Albatross" and from then on, Nature had her fury on...