The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Assorted Poems

by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Gustave Doré (Illustrator), Anne Rooney (Introduction)

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (and Assorted Poems)

Genres: Poetry, Classics, Art, British Literature, Gothic, Fiction

112 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2010

About the author

Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) was an English poet, critic, and philosopher who was, along with his friend William Wordsworth, one of the founders of the Romantic Movement in England and one of the Lake Poets. He is probably best known for his poems The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan, as well as his major prose work Biographia Literaria.

Reviews

[Mike Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

'God save thee, ancient Mariner!
From the fiends, that plague thee thus! -
Why look'st thou so?' - With my cross-bow
I shot the ALBATROSS

I first stumbled across this poem as a teenager and have been captivated by it ever since. Every time I re-read it I note something new, and to date I have refused to engage with any exposition or criticism lest it spoils the reading for my future self.

Sometimes the plain meaning has stared me in the face and I have never noticed; it's only dawned on me today that it's the wedding guest who makes this proclamation, a proclamation I have quoted many times! This realisation intensifies the drama, clearly the spell bound wedding guest sees the remorse/horror building in the ancient Mariner's face before a pause and finally the confession.

While I have avoided exposition, I do not regret seeing Dore's illustrations. I first came across Dore with The Doré Illustrations for Dante's Divine Comedy and immediately loved the detail. The stand-out detail in his illustrations for the Rime are the eyes, both of the Mariner as he approaches the wedding guest but also of the forlorn crew.

I wonder what new detail awaits...

[Marc Sebastian Head · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remembered the general plot of this one, and some of the better-known quotes. I love the somewhat creepy vibe and supernatural elements. However, I didn't love the writing itself. I mean who am I to question Coleridge, but some of it felt awkward to read, and he seemed somewhat enslaved to the rhyme at times.

This edition is blessed with some truly beautiful illustrations (engravings? lithographs?) by Gustave Doré. I have been an admirer of his atmospheric, Gothic work for as long as I can remember, particularly those he made for other literary classics Paradise Lost and The Divine Comedy. Actually this edition made me realise he may be one of my favourite artists!

The poem itself is probably a 3 star for me, but in rating this edition, the artwork elevates it to a 4.

[Leila Anani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely gorgeous edition of Coleridge's epic masterpiece with gothic engravings by Gustave Dore.

As well as the Ancient Mariner we also have: Kubla Khan, Frost at Midnight, this lime bower my prison, dejection an ode, youth and age, work without hope and epitaph.

My favourite poem with striking epic illustrations to bring it to life.


A lovely addition to any poetry collection.

[Mark Trenier · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this in high school and thought it took forever to read. Fast forward 42 years and it's a much quicker read than I thought but the story is horrible! Can't go wrong with any illustrations by Gustave Dore.

[Zoe · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is for older people definitely not for primary school. Very hard to read as it is in old English! Not my type!

[Jolabrese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great poem. Beautifully rendered illustrations.

[Izzie Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love this edition, so beautiful. Coleridge and Dorés are brilliantly talented.

[Night Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's one of those "if you're looking for it, you'll find it here" sorta doodles. I can't say it's bad, it is what I expected it to be: the poem with Dore illustrations.

[Jerry Summers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rhyme of the sea. I remember the premise from Serenity. The albatross is good luck so uncock your bow.

[Al Capwned · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess I'm a sucker for Romantic poetry and Gustav Dore's art and this book has both.