Explore comprehensive solutions for The Rime of the Ancient Mariner from the CBSE Class 10 Literature Reader, part of the English Communicative (101) Curriculum. These solutions help students understand key themes, literary devices, and critical analysis, Textual Questions Answers preparing them for CBSE exams effectively. Since it is a long poem, only the first two parts of the poem have been included in the syllabus.
Summary of “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” Part 1
In Part 1 of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, an old mariner stops a man on his way to a wedding and begins telling his story. The mariner talks about how his ship set sail on a joyful journey. At first, the weather was good, and the sailors were happy. However, as they sailed further, a terrible storm pushed them into icy waters near the South Pole. The ship was surrounded by ice and mist, making the situation very dangerous.
Then, an albatross (a large seabird) appeared. The sailors believed it was a good sign, as the bird brought good luck, and soon after, the ice cracked, allowing the ship to move forward. The albatross followed the ship every day, and the sailors fed it. However, suddenly, the mariner made a terrible decision and shot the albatross with his crossbow, which shocked everyone. This marks the beginning of the strange and tragic events that follow.
Summary of “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” Part 2
In Part 2 of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, the story continues after the mariner shoots the albatross. At first, the other sailors are angry with him because they believe the albatross was bringing them good luck. However, when the weather stays favorable, they change their minds and say it was right to kill the bird.
Soon after, things take a turn for the worse. The wind stops, and the ship becomes stuck in the middle of the sea. Without any wind, they cannot move, and the ocean becomes hot and still. The sailors suffer greatly, and they have no fresh water to drink. Their situation worsens, and they begin to realize that killing the albatross was a terrible mistake. As a sign of guilt, the other sailors hang the dead albatross around the mariner’s neck, symbolizing his burden for killing the bird. This marks the beginning of the curse that falls upon the ship and its crew.
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The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Textual Questions Answers
Explore comprehensive answers to the textual questions from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, designed to help Class 10 students understand the poem’s themes, characters, and key ideas. These answers will assist in developing critical thinking and enhance preparation for the CBSE English exam.
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner On Page 117-119
6 Answer the following by choosing the right option from those given below.
(i) The Ancient Mariner stopped one of the three wedding guests because……….
(a) he wanted to attend the wedding with him
(b) he wanted him to sit with him
(c) he wanted him to listen to his story
(d) he wanted to stop him from going to the wedding
Ans: (c) he wanted him to listen to his story
(ii) The wedding guest remarked that he was ‘next of kin’ it meant that
(a) he was a close relation of the bridegroom
(b) he was a close relation of the bride
(c) he was next in line to get married
(d) he had to stand next to the bridegroom during the wedding
Ans: (a) he was a close relation of the bridegroom
(iii) ‘He cannot choose but hear’ means………
(a) ‘the mariner was forced to hear the story of the wedding guest.’
(b) ‘the wedding guest was forced to hear the story of the mariner.’
(c) ‘the mariner had the choice of not listening to the story of the wedding guest.’
(d) ‘the wedding guest had the choice of not listening to the story of the mariner.’
Ans: (b) ‘the wedding guest was forced to hear the story of the mariner.’
(iv) ‘The sun came up upon the left, /Out of the sea came he;’ This line tells us that the ship……
(a) was moving in the northern direction
(b) was moving eastwards
(c) was moving in the western direction
(d) was moving towards the south
Ans: (d) was moving towards the south
(v) The wedding-guest beat his breast because……..
(a) he could hear the sound of the bassoon
(b) he was forced to listen to the Mariner’s tale when he wanted to attend the wedding
(c) the sound of the bassoon meant that the bride had arrived and the wedding ceremony was about to begin and he could not attend it.
(d) the sound of the bassoon announced the arrival of the bride and the start of the wedding ceremony
Ans: (c) the sound of the bassoon meant that the bride had arrived and the wedding ceremony was about to begin and he could not attend it.
(vi) The storm blast had been described as being tyrannous because…….
(a) it was so fierce that it frightened the sailors
(b) it took complete control of the ship
(c) the storm was very powerful
(d) the sailors were at its mercy
Ans: (b) it took complete control of the ship
(vii) The sailors felt depressed on reaching the land of mist and snow because…….
(a) there was no sign of any living creature
(b) they felt they would die in that cold weather
(c) they were surrounded by icebergs and there seemed to be no sign of life
(d) everything was grey in colour and they felt very cold
Ans: (c) they were surrounded by icebergs and there seemed to be no sign of life
(viii) The sailors were happy to see the albatross because………
(a) it was the first sign of life and therefore gave them hope that they might survive
(b) it split the icebergs around the ship and helped the ship move forward
(c) it was a messenger from God and it lifted the fog and mist
(d) it gave t them hope of survival by splitting the icebergs
Ans: (a) it was the first sign of life and therefore gave them hope that they might survive
(ix) The two things that happened after the arrival of the albatross were…….
(a) the icebergs split and the albatross became friendly with the sailors
(b) the icebergs split and a strong breeze started blowing
(c) the ship was pushed out of the land of mist and the ice melted
(d) the albatross started playing with the mariners and ate the food they offered
Ans: (b) the icebergs split and a strong breeze started blowing
(x) ‘It perched for vespers nine’ means..
(a) the ship stopped sailing at nine o’clock every day
(b) the albatross would appear at a fixed time everyday
(c) the albatross would sit on the sail or the mast everyday
(d) the albatross was a holy creature
Ans: (b) the albatross would appear at a fixed time everyday
(xi) ‘God save thes, ancient Mariner, /From the fiends that plague the the Why look’st thou eat meat………
(a) the mariner wanted to know why the wedding guest was looking so tormented
(b) the wedding guest wanted to know why the mariner was looking so tormented
(e) the wedding guest wanted to know whether some creatures were troubling the ancient mariner
(d) the ancient mariner wanted to know whether something was troubling the wedding guest
Ans: (b) the wedding guest wanted to know why the mariner was looking so tormented
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Solutions On Page 119
7 Answer the following questions briefly (Part 1)
(a) How did the Ancient Mariner stop the wedding-guest?
Ans: The Ancient Mariner stopped the wedding guest by holding him with his skinny hand and looking at him with giffering eyes. The wedding-guest wanted to leave, but was totally mesmerised by the glittering eyes of the Ancient Mariner.
(b) Was the wedding-guest happy to be stopped? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: No, the wedding guest was certainly not happy. He was eager to go to the wedding. He grew restless as he was the next of kin of the bridegroom and needed to be present at the wedding.
(c) Describe the Ancient Mariner.
Ans: The Ancient Mariner was very old and thin like a reed He had a grey board which highlighted his old age. He also had glittering eyes which could spellbind others.
(d) How does the mariner describe the movement of the ship as it sails away from the land?
Ans: The ship was given a warm send-off from the harbour It went easily by the side of the church, the hill and the lighthouse.
(e) What kind of weather did the sailors enjoy at the beginning of their journey? How has it been expressed in the poem?
Ans: The sailors enjoyed fair weather at the beginning of the journey. This is indirectly expressed, starting from line 22 and going on till line 30. It has been expressed in a happy manner, as in line 22 it says, ‘Merrily did we drop…. This shows that they were happy with the progress of the journey.
(f) How did the sailors reach the land of mist and snow?
Or How did the mariners reach the land of ice and snow? CBSE 2015, 13
Or Explain how the ship reached the land of mist and snow. CBSE 2012
Ans: The sailors left the harbour in good weather and sailed South for many days. Then, the weather changed and they were driven further South by a storm. There they were surrounded by mist, snow and ice as high as the mast of their ship.
(g) How does the mariner express the fact that the ship was completely surrounded by icebergs?
Ans: The Mariner describes how emerald coloured blocks of ice as high as the mast of the ship floated around the ship, blocking all view. There was no passage visible through which the ship could be steered. He gives a vivid and graphic description of the icebergs all around the ship.
(h) How do we know that the Albatross was not afraid of the humans? Why did the sailors hail it in God’s name?
Or, Why did the sailor hail the Albatross in ‘God’s name? CBSE 2019
Ans: When an Albatross came on the ship through the fog. the sailors called it. The albatross came and ate food Indicating that it was not afraid of the humans. The sailors halled it in God’s name because it was the only living creature they had seen since they reached the sea full of ice. The albatross seemed to be a representative of God there.
(i) What was the terrible deed done by the mariner? Why do you think he did it?
Or what was the terrible deed done by the old mariner? Why was it terrible? CBSE 2012
Ans: The Mariner had killed the Albatross with his crossbow. He killed it due to some reason which he does not know himself. May be he did it out of monotony, as there was nothing to be done on the ship. It was a terrible deed because he had no reason to kill the Albatross. Killing a living being without reason is unjustified.
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner On Page 119-120
8 There are a number of literary devices used in the poem. Some of them have been listed below. Choose the right ones and write them down in the table as shown in the example. In each of the cases, explain what they mean. (Part II)
| simile, metaphor, alliteration, personification. hyperbole, repetition, |
| Line | Literary Devices | Explanation |
| 1. The Wedding-Guest stood still,And listens like a three years’ child: | Simile; the wedding guest was completely under the control of the mariner | The phrase “like a three years’ child” is a simile comparing the wedding guest’s helpless state to that of a small child, showing how captivated he is. |
| 2. Below the kirk, below the hill,Below the lighthouse top | Repetition | The word “below” is repeated to emphasize the different locations, creating a rhythmic effect and drawing attention to the setting of the scene. |
| 3. The sun came up upon the left,Out of the sea came he | Personification | The sun is personified by using “he,” giving the sun human-like qualities as if it were rising from the sea deliberately like a person. |
| 4. The bride hath paced into the hall,Red as a rose is she | Simile, alliteration | The phrase “Red as a rose” is a simile comparing the bride’s blush or beauty to a rose, symbolizing her vibrant and beautiful appearance. |
| 5. And now the storm-blast came,and he was tyrannous and strong: | Personification, Metaphor | The storm is personified as “tyrannous and strong,” suggesting it has human-like qualities of oppression and power, intensifying the sense of danger. |
| 6. With sloping masts and dipping prow,As who pursued with yell and blowStill treads the shadow of his foe | Simile, personification | The phrase “As who pursued with yell and blow” is a simile comparing the ship to someone being chased, enhancing the sense of fear and urgency. |
| 7. The ice was here, the ice was there,The ice was all around | Repetition | The repetition of “ice” emphasizes its overwhelming presence, creating a sense of entrapment and desolation. |
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Textual Questions On Page 122
11 Answer the following questions briefly. (Part II)
(a) In which direction did the ship start moving? How can you say?
Ans: The ship was now sailing North. This is evident from the lines which state that the sun rose on the right (East) and went down in the sea on the left (West).
(b) Why does the mariner say that ‘no sweet bird did follow’?
Ans: The Albatross was shot by the old Mariner and so no ‘sweet bird’ was following them. This line also shows that the old Mariner was feeling guilty after killing the poor bird.
(c) How did the other mariners behave towards the Ancient Mariner at first? How many times did they change their mind about the Ancient Mariner? What does this tell us about their character?
Ans: At first, the Mariners condemned the terrible act of killing the innocent and auspicious albatross. They considered that killing of such a lucky bird that caused the breeze to blow was a sin. It would bring woe and despair to them. They changed their stand when the ship got a favourable breeze and soon they started justifying the killing of the bird that brought mist and snow. Later on, they again changed their stand and condemned the killing of the Albatross when their ship was stranded in mid-ocean without any wind to drive it forward. This only shows their fickle-mindedness.
(d) How did the sailing conditions change after the ship had moved out of the land of mist and snow? What or who did the mariners blame for this change?
or How did the killing of the Albatross prove to be a bad omen for the sailors? CBSE 2012
Ans: As soon as the ship moved out of the land of mist and snow, the sailing conditions changed. The breeze stopped blowing and the sails of the ship dropped down. It was as bad as it could be. The sailors blamed this on the shooting of the albatross. They held the Ancient Mariner responsible for this change. Thus, they felt that the killing of the albatross had proved to be a bad omen for them.
(e) What is indicated by the lines “The bloody sun, at noon,/Right up above the mast did stand,/No bigger than the moon’?
Ans: These lines clearly indicate that something ominous will happen soon. The weather had become unbearably hot. It threatened the lives of the sailors, and the ship was at a standstill due to no breeze.
(f) How does the mariner describe the fact that they were completely motionless in the middle of the sea?
Ans: This is described in lines 117-118 as a ‘painted ship upon a painted ocean’ meaning that their ship was stationary, just like a painting.
(g) What is the irony in the ninth stanza (lines 119-122)? Explain it in your own words.
Ans: The ninth stanza presents an irony in stating that there was water everywhere but there was no drop of water which they could drink Their supply of fresh water was exhausted and the water around them was saline and not fit for drinking.
(h) What is the narrator trying to convey through the description of the situation in the tenth and eleventh stanza (lines 123-130)?
Ans: The narrator is trying to convey that the ocean itself begins to decay, and the sailors see many disturbing sights. Probably, he means that due to dehydration, the sailors were having hallucinations and would die soon if they did not get fresh water.
(i) What or who did the mariners feel was responsible for their suffering?
Ans: The fellow mariners felt that the Ancient Mariner’s shooting of the albatross was responsible for their sufferings. Hence, they hung the dead albatross around his neck to punish him.
(j) Describe the condition of the mariners as expressed in the thirteenth stanza (lines 135-138).
Ans: The condition of the Mariners, as described in this stanza, was miserable. Their tongues were withered through lack of water. They could not speak anymore and felt as if their throats were choked with soot.
(k) Why did the Mariners hang the albatross around the neck of the Ancient Mariner?
or Why was the albatross hung around the neck of the Ancient Mariner? CBSE 2014
or How did the sailors react to the killing of the albatross by the Ancient Mariner? CBSE 2012
Ans: Since the sailors felt that the Ancient Mariner was responsible for their problems, they hung the dead albatross around his neck as a sign of his guilt. They wanted to punish him for the sin that he had committed by killing the Albatross.
(i) Consider you are an animal rights’ activist. Briefly mention how you could cite this poem to propose your points in defence of animal rights.
Ans: As an animal rights activist, I will cite this poem to point out how the ancient Mariner had killed the innocent albatross for no reason whatsoever. Albatross, just like humans, are a creation of God. Hence, it has as much right to live as us humans. Thus, such senseless killing as done by the Mariner will be punished.
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Textual Questions On Page 123
12. Like part one, the second part also has a number of literary devices. List them out in the same way as you had done in question number seven and explain them.
Ans:
| Lines | Literary Devices | Explanation |
| The Sun now rose upon the right Out of the sea came the still hid in mist | Personification | The sun is personified, as it is described as “he,” giving it human-like qualities and making it an active presence in the poem. |
| And it would work’em woeThat made the breeze to blowThe fair breeze blew, the white foam flewThe furrow followed freeAbout, about in reel and rout | Alliteration | The repetition of the ‘b’ and ‘f’ sounds in “breeze blew” and “foam flew” emphasizes the movement and creates a musical effect, adding rhythm to the lines. |
| Nor dim, nor re, like God’s own head, the glorious sun purist | Simile | The sun is compared to “God’s own head” using “like,” which highlights its magnificence and god-like qualities. |
| Down dropped the breeze, the sails dropped down Day after day, day after dayWater, water, everywhere | Repetition | The repetition of the ‘d’ sound in “dropped” emphasizes the stillness and lack of movement, contributing to a sense of stagnation. The repetition of “day after day” and “water, water” stresses the endless passage of time and the overwhelming presence of water, creating a feeling of despair. |
| As idle as a painted ship upon a painted ocean | Simile | The ship is compared to a “painted ship” using “as,” suggesting it is motionless and frozen in time, unable |
| Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink | Irony | The line is ironic because even though the sailors are surrounded by water, they are unable to drink it, reflecting their hopeless situation. |
| The bloody Sun | Metaphor | The sun is metaphorically described as “bloody,” suggesting a violent or ominous atmosphere without using “like” or “as.” |
| And every tongue through utter drought, Was withered at the root | Metaphor | The tongues of the sailors are metaphorically described as “withered,” symbolizing extreme dehydration and suffering. |
| Nine fathom deep he had followed us from the land of mist and snow | Hyperbole | The depth “nine fathom deep” is an exaggeration used to emphasize how far they have traveled and the mysterious power of the being following them. |
| The water, like a witch’s oils | Simile | The water is compared to “a witch’s oils” using “like,” suggesting it has a magical, eerie quality. |
13 What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?
Ans. The poem follows the rhyme scheme of abcb except in lines 45-50 where it follows the rhyme scheme of aaabcb and lines 91-96 and 97-102 where it follows the rhyme scheme of abcbdb.
14 Find examples of the use of interesting sounds (Onomatopoeia) from the poem and explain their effect on the reader.
Ans:
| 1. The ice ‘cracked and growled, and roared and howled | Coleridge uses onomatopoeic wordswhich use harsh’ck sounds to make the icesound brutal. He also gives the ice animalsounds to give the impression it has comealive and is attacking the ship. |
| 2. The ship drove fast, loud roared the blast | Roared is connected here to the sound of wild animals like lion. The sound used to depict the roaring storm coming alive and loudly to the ship. |
| 1. He struck with his O’rtaking wings | ‘Struck’ gives the impression of the storm hitting the ship. |
| 2. The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew | The two words blew and flew explains themovement of the wind and the foam in a mildway |
| 3. The ice did split with a thunder fit | The word spilt brought the sound of the ice during crack |
| 4. Came to to the Mariner’s hollo! | The word ‘hollo’ is the sound of the call of theMariners to the Albatross |
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Textual Questions On Page 123
15. The poem is full of strange, uncanny or supernatural elements. Discuss how these elements appear in the poem. You should consider:
- the strange weather,
- the albatross as a bird of ‘good omen’
- the spirit from ‘the land of mist and snow’
- the strange slimy creatures seen in the sea
- the ocean appearing to rot
- the death fires and sea water being referred to as witch’s oil
Now write a paragraph about the supernatural elements in the poem and how they add to the events that take place in the poem.
Ans. There are some supernatural elements in this poem. These elements were common superstitions that most people of his time believed in. In the beginning, the sailors believed that the albatross brought them the South wind, as the bird was supposed to be a good omen. So, they were angry with the Ancient Mariner when he killed the albatross, as his action brought them bad luck and they suffered due to the breeze stopping totally and the drinking water getting finished. Other supernatural elements that the poet mentions include
(a) The strange weather, as there was a huge storm first and then there was no wind at all.
(b) The spirit from ‘the land of mist and snow’, meaning the ghost which had pursued them ever since the Ancient Mariner had killed the albatross.
(c) The strange slimy creatures seen in the sea, the ocean appearing to rot and the fires and seawater being referred to as witch’s oil, which are all hallucinations of the sailors due to the excessive heat and their thirst.
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Textual Questions On Page 124
19. In your groups discuss the following.
(a) Why did the Ancient Mariner stop the particular wedding guest to listen to his tale?
(b) Why did he have to tell his tale to someone?
(c) What is the poet trying to convey through this poem?
Ans. (a) The Ancient Mariner stopped the particular wedding guest to listen to his story as he was able to get the man’s attention.
(b) He had to tell his tale to someone because he was compelled to do so. The more the mariner tells his story to others, the more he reflects on his sins and guilt causing him to feel even more remorseful for his mistreatment of the albatross.
(c) The poet is trying to convey the importance of God’s creations and the appreciation we should have for them, no matter how small or great they may be.
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Extract-based Questions Answers
This section provides detailed answers to extract-based questions from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, helping Class 10 students analyze key passages and understand their significance. It aids in grasping literary devices, themes, and deeper meanings for better exam preparation.
Part I
Extract 1
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow
1. It is an ancient Mariner,
And he stoppeth one of three.
‘By thy long grey beard and glittering eye,
Now wherefore stopp’st thou me?
(a) Who does ‘one of three’ refer to?
(b) Why did the Mariner stop one of them?
(c) Which word in the extract means the same as ‘shining brightly’?
(d) What is the rhyme scheme adopted in these lines?
Ans. (a) ‘One of three’ refers to one of the three wedding guests.
(b) The Mariner stopped one of them because he wanted to tell him his story.
(c) The word ‘glittering’ means the same as ‘shining brightly.
(d) The rhyme scheme adopted in these lines is abcb.
Extract 2
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
2. He holds him with his glittering eye.
The wedding-guest stood still,
And listens like a three years’ child:
The Mariner hath his will.
(a) What do you mean by ‘glittering’ in the extract?
(b) Why did the wedding-guest stand still?
(c) What was the Mariner’s will?
(d) Explain “The Mariner hath his will.’
Ans. (a) ‘Glittering’ means ‘shining brightly.”
(b) The wedding-guest stood still because the Mariner’s eyes fascinated him and took all his attention.
(c) The Mariner wanted to make the wedding-guest listen to his woeful story.
(d) This means that the Mariner at last was successful in persuading the wedding-guest to hear his story.
Extract 3
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
3. He holds him with his skinny hand,
“There was a ship,” quoth he.
(a) Who does ‘He’ refer to in the above extract?
(b) What do we know about the speaker’s feelings?
(c) What do you mean by ‘skinny’?
(d) Why was ‘He’ holding ‘him’? CBSE 2014
Ans. (a) ‘He’ in the above extract refers to the Ancient Mariner.
(b) The speaker is full of guilt and remorse at having killed the albatross, an innocent bird.
(c) The Mariner’s hand is called ‘skinny’ because he was very old and thin.
(d) The Mariner was holding the wedding-guest because he wanted to tell him the story of how he killed the Albatross.
Extract 4
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
4. The wedding-guest he beat his breast,
Yet he cannot choose but hear;
And thus spake on that ancient man,
The bright-eyed Mariner.
(a) Why did the wedding-guest ‘beat his breast?
(b) Why was the wedding-guest forced to hear the Mariner?
(c) What does ‘ancient’ mean?
(d) What rhyme scheme has been adopted in these lines? CBSE 2014
Ans. (a) The wedding-guest could hear the sound of the bassoon, and he realised that the wedding ceremonies had started However, he could not go and was compelled to listen to the
Mariner’s story. So, he beat his breast’ in frustration.
(b) The wedding-guest was perhaps hypnotised by the Mariner, which made him spellbound. As a result, he forced to hear the Mariner
(c) The word ‘ancient here means ‘old.”
(d) The rhyme scheme adopted in these lines is abcb
Extract 5
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
5. “And now the storm-blast came, and he
Was tyrannous and strong:
He struck with his o’ertaking wings,
And chased us south along.
(a) Who was being chased and by whom?
(b) What was the effect of the storm-blast?
(c) The word ‘tyrannous’ means.
(d) What is signified by ‘o’ertaking wings’?
Ans: (a) The storm was chasing the Mariner’s ship, meaning that it was blowing the ship southwards.
(b) The effect was that it blew the ship southwards.
(c) ‘cruel’
(d) ‘o’ertaking wings’ means that the storm was like a bird of prey and was pouncing upon the ship to devour it.
Extract 6
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
6. At length did cross an Albatross,
Through the fog it came;
As it had been a Christian soul,
We hailed it in God’s name.
(a) What was the atmosphere around the ship when the albatross came?
(b) Why has it been called a ‘Christian soul’?
(c) Which word in the extract is a synonym of ‘greeted’ or ‘welcomed’?
(d) Explain ‘We hailed it in God’s name.’
Ans. (a) The ship was surrounded by ice. There were no beasts or other men around when the Albatross came.
(b) The sailors thought it to be an angel sent by God to help them, as the conditions became favourable after its arrival.
(c) The word ‘hailed’ is a synonym of ‘greeted’ or ‘welcomed’.
(d) This means that the all crew members welcomed the arrival of the albatross.
Extract 7
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
7. It ate the food it ne’er had eat,
And round and round it flew.
The ice did split with a thunder-fit;
The helmsman steered us through!
(a) What do you mean by ‘helmsman’?
(b) What difficulty did the mariners face before it arrived?
(c) What happened after ‘its’ appearance?
(d) Explain ’round and round it flew’.
Ans. (a) The word ‘helmsman’ refers to the person steering the ship.
(b) The difficulty faced by the mariners was that they were stuck in the ice. There was mist and snow all around.
(c) After ‘its’ appearance, the ice split and the helmsman was able to steer the ship out of the ice.
(d) The phrase ’round and round it flew means the albatross hovered around the ship.
Extract 8
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
8. In mist or cloud, on mast or shroud,
It perched for vespers nine,
Whiles all the night, through fog-smoke white,
Glimmered the white moonshine.”
(a) Who is ‘It’ in the above lines?
(b) Vespers nine means………..
(c) Why was ‘It’ a boon for the sailors?
(d) What ‘glimmered’?
Ans. (a) The albatross is ‘It’ in the above lines.
(b) a fixed time every day (the time of the evening church service)
(c) ‘It’ was a boon for the sailors because it had brought luck and the sailors could move out of the land of mist and snow.
(d) The light of the moon glimmered.
Part II
Extract 9
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
9. And I had done a hellish thing,
And it would work’ em woe:
For all averred, I had killed the bird
That made the breeze to blow.
(a) Who is ‘I’ in the above lines?
(b) What had he done?
(c) Give the meaning of ‘averred’.
(d) What would happen due to the ‘hellish thing?
Ans. (a) ‘I’ in the above lines is the Ancient Mariner.
(b) He had killed the albatross which had proved lucky for them, as they thought that it had made the favourable wind to blow.
(c) The word ‘averred’ means ‘said firmly’ or ‘declared’.
(d) Due to the Ancient Mariner killing the Albatross, the South wind would stop blowing and they would be stranded in the middle of the ocean.
Extract 10
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
10. Nor dim nor red, like God’s own head,
The glorious sun uprist:
Then all averred, I had killed the bird
That brought the fog and mist,
(a) Why has the sun been described as ‘glorious’?
(b) What does the word ‘uprist’ mean?
(c) These lines indicate a change in the sailor’s attitude. What Am
is that change?
(d) Which figure of speech is found in the first line?
Ans. (a) The sun has been described as ‘glorious’ as it appears after many days of the fog and mist.
(b) The word ‘uprist’ means ‘rose up
(c) The sailors are fickle-minded. First, they cursed the Ancient Mariner because they thought that the bird had brought them luck, but later praised him for killing the albatross as they were able to see the Sun after the bird was killed.
(d) The figure of speech in the first line is a simile.
Extract 11
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
11. Down dropped the breeze, the sails dropped, down,
Twas sad as sad could be;
And we did speak only to break
The silence of the sea!
(a) What is an antonym of ‘silence’ in the above lines?
(b) Why were they sad?
(c) What did they believe was the reason for their misery?
(d) How was this different from what happened earlier?
Ans. (a) ‘Storminess’ or ‘turbulence’ is an antonym of ‘silence’ in the above lines.
(b) They were sad as they had entered the silent sea. There was no movement there and the blazing sun was very hot.
(c) They believed that they were suffering because the Ancient Mariner had killed the albatross.
(d) This was different from what happened earlier because then the South wind was blowing and their ship was sailing smoothly.
Extract 12
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
12. All in a hot and copper sky,
The bloody sun, at noon,
Right up above the mast did stand,
No bigger than the moon.
(a) How did the sky look?
(b) Where was the sun?
(c) What do you mean by ‘mast’?
(d) Explain ‘No-bigger than the moon.”
Ans. (a) The sky looked copper-coloured.
(b) The sun was right above the mast of the ship.
(c) The word ‘mast’ means the central pole in the ship.
(d) The sun did not appear to be bigger than the moon.
Extract 13
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
13. Day after day, day after day,
We stuck, nor breath nor motion;
As idle as a painted ship
Upon a painted ocean.
(a) Give the meaning of ‘stuck’ here.
(b) What happened to the ship?
(c) Which poetic device is used in the third line?
(d) What does ‘the painted ocean’ signify?
Ans (a) The word ‘stuck here means ‘were stationary.
(b) The ship could not move and was stuck in the middle of the ocean
(c) Gimite is used in the third line.
(d) The painted ocean signifies that the ocean had become totally still i.e. motionless due to no wind blowing.
Extract 14
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
14. Water, water, everywhere,
And all the boards did shrink;
Water, water, everywhere,
Nor any drop to drink.
(a) Why did the boards shrink?
(b) What caused the sailors to suffer?
(c) Antonym of ‘shrink’ is.
(d) Which poetic device is there in these lines?
Ans. (a) The heat of the sun dried the boards and shrank them
(b) The sun was shining overhead and it was very hot. The sailors had no water to drink and were stuck in the middle of the ocean. All these caused the sailors to suffer,
(c) expand
(d) The poetic device employed here is repetition of the word ‘water’.
Extract 15
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
15. The very deep did rot: O Christ!
That ever this should be!
Yea, slimy things did crawl with legs
Upon the slimy sea.
(a) Who speaks these lines?
(b) What does the word ‘deep’ mean?
(c) Which poetic device is used in the last line?
(d) Explain ‘slimy sea’.
Ans. (a) The above lines are spoken by the Ancient Mariner.
(b) It means the deep ocean.
(c) Metaphor and alliteration have been used in the last line.
(d) The phrase ‘slimy sea’ means that the sea was covered with a thick mud-like substance.
Extract 16
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
16. And some in dreams assured were
Of the Spirit that plagued us so;
Nine fathom deep he had followed us
From the land of mist and snow.
(a) What is ‘fathom’?
(b) Which was the spirit that plagued them?
(c) Why did ‘it’ plague them?
(d) What do you understand by ‘plagued’?
Ans. (a) The word ‘fathom’ is a measurement of depth equal to six feet.
(b) It was the spirit of the albatross that plagued them.
(c) ‘It’ plagued them to avenge the killing of the albatross by the Ancient Mariner.
(d) The word ‘plagued’ means to cause trouble or pain.
Extract 17
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
17. And every tongue, through utter drought,
Was withered at the root;
We could not speak, no more than if
We had been choked with soot.
(a) Why were their tongues dry?
(b) Who was held responsible for their condition?
(c) What do you mean by ‘withered’?
(d) Why had all this happened?
Ans. (a) Their tongues were dry as they had no water to drink and the sun was very hot.
(b) The Ancient Mariner was held responsible for their condition.
(c) It means ‘shrunk’.
(d) All this had happened because there was no wind blowing, their ship was at a standstill in the middle of the ocean and their drinking water had been exhausted.
Extract 18
Read the following extracts carefully and answer the questions that follow.
18. Ah! Well-a-day! What evil looks
Had I from old and young!
Instead of the cross, the Albatross
About my neck was hung.
(a) Why did the speaker have evil looks from the mariners?
(b) Why did they hang the albatross around the speaker’s neck?
(c) What does the word ‘evil’ mean?
(d) The idiom ‘Albatross around the neck’ has been derived from this poem. What does the idiom mean? CBSE 2017
Ans. (a) The speaker had evil looks from the mariners because he had killed the bird which had brought them luck. After the killing, the mariners had suffered many hardships.
(b) They hung the dead albatross around the speaker’s neck as a punishment for his wicked deed of killing the albatross.
(c) The word ‘evil’ here means ‘bad’.
(d) The idiom ‘Albatross around the neck’ means ‘a heavy burden of guilt that becomes an obstacle to success’.
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Short Answer Type Questions
Answer the following questions in 30-40 words.
1. Whom did the Ancient Mariner stop and why?
Ans: The Ancient Mariner stopped one of the three wedding guests. He stopped him because he wanted to tell him about the sin that he had committed and the consequences he had suffered.
2. How did the wedding-guest react when he was stopped by the ancient Mariner? CBSE 2019
Ans: When the wedding-guest was stopped by the ancient Mariner, he grew angry and irritated. He felt irritated as a crazy man had stopped him from attending the wedding of a close relative.
3. Why is the wedding guest restless?
Ans. The wedding-guest is restless because he has been forcibly detained by the Ancient Mariner. Moreover, he is a close relative of the bridegroom and he does not want to miss the wedding celebrations.
4. Who is called ‘a grey-beard loon? Why?
Ans. The wedding-guest calls the Ancient Mariner ‘a grey-beard loon’ because the Mariner is old and has a grey beard, besides being thought as a madman (i.e. a loon) by the wedding-guest.
5. Why has the wedding-guest been called a ‘three year’ child?
Ans. The wedding-guest wanted to go but he got mesmerised by the Mariner’s glittering eyes. He had no intention to hear his story but somehow kept listening in rapt attention like a three-year-old child listens to a story.
6. Why does the wedding-guest sit on the stone?
Ans. The wedding-guest sits on the stone to listen to the mariner’s story. He feels helpless and immobile due to the Mariner’s spell on him and no longer resists the mariner. He surrenders to the Mariner’s will and sits on the stone.
7. How did the Ancient Mariner manage to keep the guest hooked on his story?
Ans. The wedding-guest was eager to go to the wedding when the mariner stopped him with his skinny hand. The guest demanded to be released but was hypnotised by the glittering eyes of the Mariner.
8 Why does the wedding-guest beat his breast while listening to the ancient Mariner’s story? CBSE 2012
Or why did the wedding-guest beat his breast? CBSE 2015
Ans. When the wedding-guest heard the bassoon, he realised that the ceremonies had begun. He grew impatient. He wanted to go to the wedding but was unable to do so. The frustration made him beat his chest.
9. Why did the sailors hail the bird as a ‘Christian soul’? CBSE 2012
Or, Why did the mariners hail the arrival of the albatross? CBSE 2017
Ans. The ship got trapped in ice and the sailors were losing hope. But just then the Albatross arrived like an angel and everything changed. The weather changed and they got free from the ice. So, they hailed the albatross as a Christian soul because its coming ended their misery.
10. What happened after the albatross came to the ship? How was it received?
Ans. After the albatross came to the ship, the ice split, the South wind began to blow and the ship was able to get out of the ice. So, the mariners praised the albatross in God’s name. CBSE 2012
11. How did the mariners escape from the ice?
Ans. The mariners escaped from the ice due to the arrival of the albatross. The arrival of the bird brought favourable weather conditions for the mariners. The icebergs started splitting and made a passage for the ship to steer clear of them.
12. Why did the Albatross follow the ship and how did the sailors treat it?
Ans. The Albatross followed the ship due to the warm hospitality offered by the sailors. The sailors offered food and company to the albatross. It enjoyed food as well as playing with the sailors. The sailors treated the albatross very well and welcomed it like a Christian soul.
13. Why was the Ancient Mariner deeply troubled?
Ans. The Ancient Mariner was deeply troubled because he felt the guilt of killing the Albatross. His guilt compelled him to narrate his experience to the wedding-guest as he believed that confession of a sin would lead to its redemption.
14. What was the crime committed by the Mariner? Why was it thought to be a crime?
Ans. The Mariner had wantonly (cruelly) killed the innocent albatross which had brought new hope to the sailors. It was thought to be a crime as he killed a harmless creature
which had brought a turning point for the better in their lives.
15. Why were the mariners angry with the Ancient Mariner? CBSE 2016
Ans. The mariners were furious with the Ancient Mariner for having killed the albatross for no reason at all. They were angry as the bird was a blessing, as it had made the wind blow.
16. What happened after the innocent bird was killed?
Ans. The Mariner had killed the innocent bird which had brought new hope and the blowing of the South wind. After the bird was killed, the ship was stuck in the middle of the hot sea as the wind had stopped blowing. With no water to drink and no ray of hope to brighten them up, they underwent a lot of physical and mental agony.
17. What is the significance of the lines ‘Water, water every where’?
Ans. The lines ‘Water, water every where’ signifies the peculiar fate the sailors had to face. Although they were surrounded by water on all sides, they had not a drop to drink as it was
salty sea water. Moreover, their own stock of fresh water was exhausted.
18. What was the experience of the mariners in the silent sea? CBSE 2014
Ans. The mariners had a terrible experience in the silent sea. The breeze that carried the sails stopped blowing. The sails dropped and the ship became motionless. It became extremely hot, and there was no water to drink. Besides, slimy creatures began to emerge from the rotting sea.
19. The other mariners kept changing their opinion about the killing of the albatross. What does this reveal about their character?
Or, Human nature is very unpredictable. Justify this in the context of the poem, ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.’ CBSE 2012
Or, “The sailors are fickle-minded”. Justify this statement with reference to the poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’. CBSE 2012
Or, In the poem ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’, what opinion do you form of the other crew members on the ship with the Ancient Mariner?
Ans. The sailors on the ship are fickle-minded and utterly superstitious. They condemn the Ancient Mariner for killing the bird at first but later say that it was a wise decision. When they again face difficulties, they again blame the mariner for their misery.
20. The poem invokes the concept of sin and repentance. How?
Ans. The Ancient Mariner kills the poor albatross for no reason The other sailors considered it a sin, as he had no right to take away a creature’s life. As a punishment for his sin, they hung the dead albatross round his neck.
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Long Answer Type Questions
1. What moral values or lessons do you learn from the poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’?
Ans. ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ teaches the lesson of gratitude. The mariner was ungrateful, as he repaid the appearance of the albatross with utmost cruelty by killing it. With his action, the mariner demonstrates one the most unforgivable acts. One has to be grateful even for the smallest of mercies. Even if one is incapable of repaying an act of kindness, one should
never forget somebody’s benevolence. The second lesson that the poem teaches is that of respect. Every creature, big or small, is a reflection of God. The albatross was a manifestation of the divine spirit. It led the ship and the mariners out of the dangerous ice and snow. Killing it was a sign of the mariner’s disrespect towards God’s creation.
2. Gilbert Parker said, “There is no refuge from memory and remorse in this world. The spirits of our foolish deeds haunt us, with or without repentance”.
ST Coleridge highlights the concept of sin and repentance in his poem. What qualities do you infer from this poem?
or The poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ is based on the concept of sin and redemption / punishment. Justify. CBSE 2012
Ans. The poem ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ truly highlights the concept of sin and repentance. The Ancient Mariner killed the poor albatross without any valid reason even when the elements had turned in the sailors’ favour after the bird’s arrival. His sin was unpardonable. The sailors believed that the killing of the bird was the right thing to do in the beginning because they thought that the bird had brought them bad luck. Later on, when the wind stopped and they were marooned in the middle of the ocean, they felt that killing the bird was wrong. So, their behaviour is questionable. The fickleness of their minds is at its extreme when they seek revenge and punish the Ancient Mariner for killing the albatross. The Ancient Mariner repents his deed and he wants to tell whoever is willing to listen to him about it, so that the burden of guilt on him is reduced.
3. As the wedding-guest, write and describe your feelings in the form of a diary entry after listening to the Ancient Mariner’s tale of sin and suffering. Also, write about what you learnt from his story.
Ans. Sunday, 17th January, 20XX
10:35 PM
Dear Diary
Today was a shocking day indeed. I was about to enter the hall for the wedding when an old, bearded man with strange eyes stopped me. He started telling me a story of his journey through the ocean. He and his sailors had ups and downs in the journey when an albatross visited them.
But one day, without any reason, the Mariner killed the Albatross. What followed next was very shocking. Their ship was marooned in the middle of the sea and their stock of drinking water ran out. They started suffering hallucinations. His story taught me the great lesson of karma that what goes around comes around. Those who harm and torture others can never experience peace of mind. The sinner is sooner or later punished by God. We should thus do good things and never hurt anyone. Even those who support sin are equally guilty. The wedding-guest
4. Respect for all forms of life is an essential value. Unmindful destruction of nature and its creatures deserves just punishment. Write in 150 words this essential value as brought out in the poem ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.’ CBSE 2015
Ans. Life is a gift from God and nobody has the right to take away another’s life, more so when there is no just or valid reason. Thus, respect for all forms of life becomes an essential value to be cherished by all. Coleridge’s ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ too upholds this essential value, besides the other things that the poem talks of. The Ancient Mariner killed the albatross, when he apparently had no reason to do so. He and his shipmates were punished for this sin when their ship reached a silent sea where there was no breeze to move the ship. The weather was extremely hot and there was no water to drink. Ultimately the sailors started having hallucinations due to their deprivation in the middle of the ocean. Thus, the Ancient Mariner, along with the other sailors, is justly punished for his unmindful killing of the albatross.
Poetic Devices Used in the Poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Alliteration
Repetition of initial consonant sounds in the same line.
- By thy long grey beard and glittering eye
- He holds him with his skinny hand
- The wedding-guest stood still,
- The wedding-guest here beat his breast
For he heard the loud bassoon
- The merry minstrelsy
- The fair breeze blew
- The furrow followed free
- The white foam flew
- Down dropped the breeze, the sails dropped down
- The silence of the sea
Repetition
Repetition of a word, a phrase or a full sentence.
- Below the kirk, below the hill, Below the lighthouse top
- Higher and higher every day,
- The ice was here, the ice was there, The ice was all around
- Water, water, every where
- Day after day, day after day
Irony
A contrast between reality and expression, between what is said and what is meant, between what appears to true and the real truth.
- Water, water, every where, Nor any drop to drink
(Water is every where, but there is none to drink.)
Onomatopoeia
Using a word which suggests the meaning by its sound.
- It cracked and growled, and roared and howled,
Simile
A device that compares two different things by using the words ‘as’ or ‘like’.
- The wedding-guest stood still, And listens like a three year’s child
- The bride hath paced into the hall, Red as a rose is she
- And ice, mast-high, came floating by, As green as emerald
- Nor dim nor red, like God’s own head. The glorious sun uprist
- As idle as a painted ship, Upon a painted ocean.
- The water, like a witch’s oils, Burnt green, and blue, and white
Metaphor
A device which compares two things or qualities which are unlike.
- Upon a painted ocean
- We could not speak, no more than if, we had been choked with soot
Personification
It is used for an inanimate object or animals/birds to look or feel human.
- The Sun came up upon the left,
- Out of the sea came he!
- And he shone bright, and on the right
- Went down into the sea.
(Here the sun is personified and compared to a person)
- And now the storm blast came, and he was tyrannous and strong
(Here the storm is personified as a strong and tyrannical man.
- Nine fathom deep he had followed us
The ‘Spirit is given the human power of ‘following’ them
Frequently Asked Questions on ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’
What is the theme of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Class 10?
Ans: The theme of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is about respect for nature and all living beings. The mariner’s cruel act of killing the albatross brings severe consequences, showing the importance of harmony between humans and nature.
What is the main point of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner?
Ans: The main point of the poem is to highlight how one thoughtless action, like killing the albatross, can lead to serious consequences. It teaches respect for nature and the need for repentance and redemption for wrongdoings.
What is the main lesson in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner?
Ans: The main lesson is that humans must respect and care for all living creatures. The mariner suffers greatly for killing the albatross, but he learns the importance of love and respect for nature through his suffering.
What is the central idea of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner?
Ans: The central idea of the poem is that all life is interconnected, and harming one part of nature leads to negative consequences. The mariner’s punishment for killing the albatross teaches the importance of respect for all forms of life.
What does the albatross symbolize?
Ans: The albatross symbolizes innocence, nature, and good luck. When the mariner kills it, the bird becomes a symbol of guilt and the heavy burden of the mariner’s sin, leading to a curse on the ship and its crew.
What does the sea Symbolise in this poem?
Ans: In the poem, the sea symbolizes both the beauty and danger of nature. It represents the unpredictable and powerful forces that humans cannot control, as well as the vastness and mystery of life.
