The Rime of the Ancient Mariner has two main settings: the first is a wedding, which the Wedding Guest is trying to attend, and the second is the open sea. The wedding reception serves as a frame story that magnifies the ominous atmosphere of the Mariner's tale. As the Mariner and the Wedding Guest stand alone outside of the joyous celebration, their conversation turns to the serious and somber topic of the Mariner's story. The isolation of the young man by the Mariner and the intense atmosphere of his story create a sense of unease, signaling that the forthcoming narrative will be one of darkness and consequence.
In the Mariner's tale, most of the action takes place on the sea. The sea is initially presented as a realm of wonder and beauty, with descriptions of the ship sailing beneath a radiant sun that "shone bright." But soon, the sea transforms into a perilous and ominous force. The storm that engulfs the ship introduces a dramatic shift in the sea's characterization. Coleridge employs powerful imagery to convey the chaos and terror unleashed by the storm, emphasizing the destructive power of nature. The sea thus undergoes a transformation from a picturesque setting to a tumultuous force. Its dynamic portrayal serves as a metaphor for the Mariner's spiritual journey, reflecting the Romantic notion of nature as a powerful and transformative force.
