Samuel Taylor Coleridge 
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (The Complete Edition) 
With Illustrations

Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (The Complete Edition)’ is a seminal work of Romantic poetry that delves into themes of redemption, guilt, and the supernatural. Written in the form of a ballad, the poem follows the journey of a mariner who is forced to recount his harrowing tale to passersby as a penance for shooting an albatross. Coleridge’s lyrical and vivid descriptions bring to life the mariner’s struggles with the forces of nature and his own inner demons. The poem’s complex narrative structure and rich symbolism make it a masterpiece of English literature that continues to captivate readers today. Samuel Taylor Coleridge, a key figure of the Romantic movement, drew inspiration from his own struggles with addiction and spirituality to create ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.’ His deep understanding of human nature and his fascination with the supernatural are evident in the haunting imagery and moral dilemmas depicted in the poem. Coleridge’s profound insights into the human condition shine through in this work, making him a literary giant of his time. I highly recommend ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ to readers who appreciate thought-provoking poetry that explores deep philosophical and moral themes. Coleridge’s timeless masterpiece is a must-read for anyone interested in the power of language to convey complex emotions and ideas.

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Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) was a profound English poet, critic, and philosopher whose work heralded the Romantic movement alongside contemporaries like William Wordsworth, with whom he collaborated on the groundbreaking ‘Lyrical Ballads’ (1798). Best known for poems such as ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ (The Complete Edition) and ‘Kubla Khan’, Coleridge’s writing is distinguished by its vivid imagery, supernatural themes, and innovative use of language. His major contribution through ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ explores human fallibility, divine retribution, and redemption, threaded with deeply symbolic and allegorical elements. This narrative poem, famous for its archaic and rhythmic language, remains a staple in the study of English literature for its intricate structure and moral complexity. Coleridge’s critical work, especially ‘Biographia Literaria’ (1817), helped to establish the canon for literary criticism and remains influential for its insights into the creative process and the poet’s imagination. Despite struggling with opium addiction, which affected his health and productivity, Coleridge was a prolific writer and an integral part of the intellectual circles of his time. His ideas on poetic theory, especially regarding the suspension of disbelief, marked a radical shift from neoclassical forms and contributed immensely to the aesthetics of Romanticism. Coleridge’s literary legacy continues to captivate scholars and readers alike with its enduring appeal and psychological depth.