The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Transformation Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Section.Stanza)

Quote #4

The pang, the curse, with which they died,
Had never passed away:
I could not draw my eyes from theirs,
Nor turn them up to pray.

And now this spell was snapped: once more
I viewed the ocean green,
And looked far forth, yet little saw
Of what had else been seen— (VI.101-102)

We're not exactly sure why the sailors' curse is broken at this exact moment, but it relates somehow to his earlier blessing of the sea snakes. Immediately the ocean turns from a sickly blood red to its normal color, bright green.

Quote #5

I saw a third – I heard his voice:
It is the hermit good!
He singeth loud his godly hymns
That he makes in the wood.
He'll shrieve my soul, he'll wash away
The albatross's blood. (VI.118)

Even though the direct curse of the albatross has been lifted, its blood remains on its conscience. He can never truly wipe away the consequences of his actions, and he must constantly reaffirm his transformation into a humble soul. He desperately wants the hermit to make him confess his deed.

Quote #6

He went like one that hath been stunned,
And is of sense forlorn:
A sadder and a wiser man,
He rose the morrow morn. (VII.143)

The Wedding Guest undergoes a transformation after listening to the entire story. He realizes that life isn't all about getting down and being the life of the party. Other than that, we're not exactly sure what he learns that makes him wiser – it's one of the mysteries of the poem.