Key Narrative Events

1. The Mariner holds to Wedding Guest against his will from the festivities and while the Wedding Guest protests rudely, the Mariner holds him 'with his glittering eye' and 'eftsoons' the Wedding Guest listens like 'a three years child' to the Mariner's tale. His story tells that he went on a voyage travelling south towards the South Pole until their ship became stuck in the ice. An Albatross appears at the same time they broke free of the ice and the Mariner shot him with his crossbow. 

1. The crew hang the dead Albatross around his neck, blaming him for killing the bird that brought them luck. The ship had turned and headed north and the crew had sporadic feelings at the Mariner, first angry for shooting the bird 'That made the breeze to blow' then grateful 'the bird That brought the fog and mist'. Continuing their journey the crew hit a period of no wind to propel the boat and are running low on supplies; they then blamed the Mariner -again- for shooting the Albatross. 

1. They dying crew encounter a phantom ship with two figures aboard. The Mariner is the first the see this, he paid the 'dear ransom' and bit his arm and 'sucked the blood' to call the ship to the crew's attention. Death and Life-in-Death are aboard the shipping playing dice to decide the crew's fate; Life-in-Death winds the Mariner and the crew's souls move on to Death leaving the Mariner alone to begin his transformation. 

1. After being isolated in his guilt and grief, the Mariner undergoes his transformation from describing nature as 'slimy things' to 'rich attire'; as the mariner sees the truly appreciates the beauty in nature and believes that all living things deserve respect, he earns his redemption and the Albatross falls from his neck. 

1. The Mariner faints as the Polar Spirit moves the ship, whilst the Mariner is unconscious the Polar Spirit and another spirit discuss the remaining penance the Mariner has yet to do. The voices depart as the real wind takes over moving the ship, with the spirit-inhabited and the Mariner manning it, towards the harbour. 

1. The spirits leave the crew's dead bodies this time forgiving the Mariner. As the ship nears the harbour another boat comes into sight with three people aboard; a pilot, a pilot's boy and a Hermit. The boat approaches the ship and a loud noise is heard from the sea and the Mariner's ship sinks. 

1. The Hermit rescues the Mariner and listens to the tale the Mariner is compelled to tell to relieve his agony and pain. He asks the Hermit for forgiveness and is given a new life of penance, to travel for eternity teaching the didactic message to the right person. 

1. The Mariner tells the Wedding Guest of this life-long penance and how he knows which person to stop each time by a look in their face. He teaches him the lesson that all of God's creatures should be respected and the Wedding Guest wakes up the next morn 'A sadder and wiser man'.