The conversation between human and AI assistant.
What is the importance of the Mariner in "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge?
What is the significance of the albatross in the story?
The albatross is a symbol of both good luck and protection in the story, and its death is what sets off the Mariner's journey into the supernatural realm. When the Mariner kills the albatross, he is punished, and he must wear the bird's corpse around his neck. This serves as a reminder of the Mariner's sin, and he is haunted by the spirits of the dead sailors until he can pay off his guilt. Therefore, the albatross serves as a catalyst for the Mariner's spiritual journey and a symbol of the danger of human hubris.