Symbolism in "The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner" When the Albatross first shows up, the ice breaks and a Northern wind starts to blow. The sailors begin to believe the bird is a good omen. The Mariner then shoots the Albatross with a CROSSbow. At first the sailors tell him he had done wrong. The wind continues blowing and the fog, that had been around them the whole time, lifts. The shipmates then tell the …
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…his grasp of the shame that came from killing the Albatross. After he forgives himself, he is finally abel to ask God for forgiveness. This is where the saying "an albatross around ones neck" comes from. It has been said that the Albatross may stand for Christ and the Mariner represents the Jewish people as a whole. I think this is entirely possible and those who state that do have textual details. Christopher W Pence