In Our Time The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Mar 4, 2021
Join Sir Jonathan Bate, an expert on Coleridge's life, Tom Mole, who dives into the poem's structure, and Rosemary Ashton, who discusses the context of Coleridge's early years. They explore the profound themes of guilt and redemption in 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,' revealing how Coleridge's struggles with addiction influenced his revisions. The group also examines the haunting symbol of the albatross and the lasting impact of the poem on literature and our relationship with nature. It's a rich dive into the soul of Romantic poetry!
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Coleridge's Lonely Childhood
- Coleridge's father died when he was nine, leaving the family poor.
- Sent to boarding school, he never went home for holidays and his mother never visited.
Pantisocracy Dream
- While at Cambridge, Coleridge befriended Robert Southey and planned a utopian community in America.
- The plan involved marrying Southey's sister-in-law, but it fell apart when Southey inherited money.
The Birth of the Mariner
- Coleridge and Wordsworth met in 1797 and began a fruitful poetic partnership.
- Wordsworth suggested the albatross story, inspired by a travel book, after their initial idea fell through.
