Question

Character sketch of an ancient mariner

Answer 1

The Ancient Mariner is the main character in the poem. All the events revolve around him. His name is even in the title. He approaches the Wedding Guest out of three men to tell his story. He is unnaturally old, with skinny, deeply-tanned limbs and a "glittering eye."  At first, the Guest resists and says he is important to the wedding, but he is captivated by the Mariner's eye and listens. The Mariner tells of how he is part of a ship crew whose voyage had a good start. Then he shares how the voyage quickly deteriorates after he shoots an Albatross. The other crew members are angry with him at first because they think the bird is a good omen, and then they like him because they think the bird caused bad luck. However, conditions become hot and dry, and the sailors blame him and  is punished for his crime by a spirit who loved the Albatross. He is cursed to be haunted indefinitely by his dead shipmates, and to be compelled to tell the tale of his downfall at random times. Each time he is compelled to share his story with someone, he feels a physical agony that is appeased only temporarily once he finishes telling the tale.