“The problem is not the problem. The problem is [one’s] attitude about the problem.” Disney’s Captain Jack Sparrow, from Pirates of the Caribbean, believes one must assess their situation and determine the appropriate reaction that benefits all. When one leaves fate up to myths and supernatural forces, the end result may not be favorable. Throughout history, human beings attribute circumstances to forces well beyond one’s own abilities as a way to shift blame from themselves. In The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Coleridge, people perceive destiny as an occult outside of human control. The tale begins at a wedding where the Mariner halts a single guest by rising his ghost-like finger in front of the man. He starts by recollecting
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According to maritime folklore, an encounter with the massive bird could potentially bring misfortune rather than luck. Legends proclaim the creature signifies death and doom in the near future. After the Mariner kills the albatross, the men believe it to be a beneficial omen. However after the fog clears, the water becomes eerily still and the boat “as idle as a painted ship/ Upon a painted ocean” (117-118). The wind dies and the ship becomes motionless causing the crew to reevaluate their acceptance of the pointless murder. The bird aids the ship’s journey; however, the Mariner disposes of it and misfortune overtakes the crew, preventing any advance. Furthermore, the execution of the albatross creates a living Hell for the crew in the days preceding Death’s arrival. The men sit in the ship and slowly begin to waste away as the relentless sun beats down upon them. They succumb to dehydration although there is “water, water, everywhere,/ And all the boards did shrink;/ Water, water, everywhere,/ Nor any drop to drink” (120-123). Bad luck descends upon the men because they kill the albatross. The amount of water surrounding the boat tortures the thirsty men; the saltwater is undrinkable. The sailors believe the spirits involved in the albatross’s superstition punish them for slaying the embodiment. Therefore, the crew …show more content…
Superstitions regarding women aboard ships date back to early tales of sirens and mermaids. Women were barred from sea because sailors believe they cause distractions which leads to detrimental consequences. The ancient Mariner’s ship does not have any female crew members to ensure the full attention of his corps. Once the men spot Death’s ship in the distance, they become mesmerized by Life-in-Death because “her lips, were red, her looks were free,/ Her locks were yellow as gold;/ Her skin was as white as leprosy” (190-192). Sailors believe that women acts as sirens that lure vessels to their ruination. The crew falls for the superstition that females tempt men into committing deeds without complete thought. When Death’s mate arrives, the Mariner’s crew easily become mesmerized by her looks of beauty and do not recognize the jeopardy of the situation while playing dice. As the game concludes “and the twain were casting dice;” Death’s mate exclaims, “‘The game is done! I’ve won! I’ve won!”’ and “each [crew member] turned his face with a ghastly pang…[and] they dropped down one by one/ [with] the souls [flying] from their bodies…” (196-197, 214, 219-220). The sole woman that appears causes the entire crew to die. She distracts them into participating in an activity which ends in their deaths. Women represent misfortune for sailors; hence when a female appears,
According to maritime folklore, an encounter with the massive bird could potentially bring misfortune rather than luck. Legends proclaim the creature signifies death and doom in the near future. After the Mariner kills the albatross, the men believe it to be a beneficial omen. However after the fog clears, the water becomes eerily still and the boat “as idle as a painted ship/ Upon a painted ocean” (117-118). The wind dies and the ship becomes motionless causing the crew to reevaluate their acceptance of the pointless murder. The bird aids the ship’s journey; however, the Mariner disposes of it and misfortune overtakes the crew, preventing any advance. Furthermore, the execution of the albatross creates a living Hell for the crew in the days preceding Death’s arrival. The men sit in the ship and slowly begin to waste away as the relentless sun beats down upon them. They succumb to dehydration although there is “water, water, everywhere,/ And all the boards did shrink;/ Water, water, everywhere,/ Nor any drop to drink” (120-123). Bad luck descends upon the men because they kill the albatross. The amount of water surrounding the boat tortures the thirsty men; the saltwater is undrinkable. The sailors believe the spirits involved in the albatross’s superstition punish them for slaying the embodiment. Therefore, the crew …show more content…
Superstitions regarding women aboard ships date back to early tales of sirens and mermaids. Women were barred from sea because sailors believe they cause distractions which leads to detrimental consequences. The ancient Mariner’s ship does not have any female crew members to ensure the full attention of his corps. Once the men spot Death’s ship in the distance, they become mesmerized by Life-in-Death because “her lips, were red, her looks were free,/ Her locks were yellow as gold;/ Her skin was as white as leprosy” (190-192). Sailors believe that women acts as sirens that lure vessels to their ruination. The crew falls for the superstition that females tempt men into committing deeds without complete thought. When Death’s mate arrives, the Mariner’s crew easily become mesmerized by her looks of beauty and do not recognize the jeopardy of the situation while playing dice. As the game concludes “and the twain were casting dice;” Death’s mate exclaims, “‘The game is done! I’ve won! I’ve won!”’ and “each [crew member] turned his face with a ghastly pang…[and] they dropped down one by one/ [with] the souls [flying] from their bodies…” (196-197, 214, 219-220). The sole woman that appears causes the entire crew to die. She distracts them into participating in an activity which ends in their deaths. Women represent misfortune for sailors; hence when a female appears,