In Part I, right before the albatross appears, the Mariner describes the vast and desolate seascape in terms of visual and auditory imagery:
And thro' the drifts the snowy clifts
Did send a dismal sheen;
Ne shapes of men ne beasts we ken–
The Ice was all between.
The Ice was here, the Ice was there,
The Ice was all around:
It crack'd and growl'd, and roar'd and howl'd–
Like noises of a swound.
Auditory imagery includes phrases like "crack'd and growl'd, and roar'd and howl'd–". These words convey the tumultuous nature of the ice, evoking the sounds it makes when it moves as if it is alive and vocal. These descriptions also contribute to the eerie and otherworldly atmosphere of the scene. The phrases "snowy clifts," "dismal sheen," and "Ice was all around" are visual imagery that emphasizes the all-encompassing presence of ice and evokes the isolation of the men in the boat. The line "Ne shapes of men ne beasts we ken" reveals that the sailors cannot see much beyond than the ice and suggests a barren, uninhabited expanse. In this passage, then, the Mariner uses visual and auditory imagery to heighten the drama of the desolate landscape.
In Part IV of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, the Mariner uses imagery to describe the magical water-snakes he sees:
Within the shadow of the ship
I watch'd their rich attire:
Blue, glossy green, and velvet black
They coil'd and swam; and every track
Was a flash of golden fire.
Colorful imagery of the "blue, glossy green, and velvet black" snakes evokes a sense of opulence and beauty associated with the creatures. The phrase "coil'd and swam" suggests their sinuous and graceful movements. Additionally, the words "glossy" and "velvet black" appeal to the sense of sight while adding a luxurious, almost tactile quality to the imagery. "[E]very track / Was a flash of golden fire" introduces a dynamic element, as if the snakes leave behind a trail of radiant light that enhances their mystical nature.
In this moment, visual imagery establishes the water-snakes as ethereal beings with a captivating allure that inspires the Mariner to "bless" them and achieve redemption as he realizes a newfound respect and admiration for nature. This is one of the most important moments in the poem because it marks a turning point in the Mariner's journey. He realizes the beauty and power of nature and finds even the "sinuous" sea creatures to be awe-inspiring.
