Analysis of The Rime of Ancient Mariner and Mont Blanc: function of extreme states
Introduction
This essay analyses the function of extreme states presented by the two poets, S T C Coleridge in Ancient Mariner and Mont Blanc’ by Shelley. The two states are explained by different analysts and critically reviewed in this essay. The function of this is also explained in the conclusion at the end of the discussion.
The poem on Ancient Mariner by STC Coleridge is set to illustrate two extremes of life where suffering is explained using the sorest of terms available. Both poems appear to be diametrical in their representation where strong imagery is used to represent the nature of life in two worlds. The poems seem to represent spiritual life where the author represented himself as the archetypical sinner. The poem explains the natural world and its power over man. There is the introduction of spiritual beings such as angels, and ghosts’ presence of sin. In describing this world. The Ancient Mariner seemed to relate its suffering of man, his suffering due to his sinful nature. The use of extreme words was to indicate the suffering that man will be exposed to due to this sin. These words explain the terse world of suffering of man under sin as a result of suffering.
In the Bible, there is a theme of good and evil, God and the devil, and joy and suffering everlasting in both cases. The function of the extreme use of these words was to invoke deep thought and consideration of man in their choice for either joy or suffering. Unquenched thirst is one of the ways in which this suffering is explained:
With throats unslaked, with black lips baked,
We could nor laugh nor wail ;
Through utter drought all dumb we stood !
I bit my arm, I sucked the blood,
And cried, A sail ! a sail !
There is an illustration of false hope of getting blood to quench thirst but this will not be possible. This was contrasted with a “flash of joy” on the other side where all people were drinking and
Gramercy ! they for joy did grin,
These extreme states were used to contrast the results of the actions of people. The mention of Heaven’s Mother, grace, and starts is an indication of the nature of happiness and where it will be experienced by the two worlds of people. The Rime of the Ancient Mariner explains human behaviour and human nature. The use of these words of joy and suffering almost immediately explains the need for people to understand there are consequences of their actions in latter life. The two poems talk about human nature is also talked about in Mont Blanc’ by Shelly’ where two opposite worlds of human life are explained and presented in the poem. Mont Blanc is about the human mind and how thoughts spring from it.
The natural world is presented to "utter forth God” and although they are presented in the spiritual sense, the author is not concerned about the afterlife like Coleridge. The use of extreme emotion is used to indicate the power and effects of the human mind. It has to do with faith and the results that can result from it, where opposite ends were explored. According to Coleridge
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