Question
Here is the question : THE LINE “WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE, NOR ANY DROP TO DRINK” REFERS TO WHAT?
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- A drought on a farm
- A mythical rainforest
- Stranded sailors
- A polluted river
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
In the latter half of the 18th century, the famous English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge composed “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” It depicts the story of a ship that gets lost near Antarctica and how an albatross ends up helping it find its way back to safety. Unfortunately, the captain decides to kill the bird, which results in a curse being placed on the ship. The cursed crew is subsequently left adrift in water that is too salty to drink and is besieged on all sides by salt water. The captain eventually learns his lesson in this ballad, which is also Coleridge’s longest major poem.
The line “Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink” is a haunting phrase that evokes a sense of desperation and irony. It originates from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s epic poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” and refers to the plight of stranded sailors who find themselves surrounded by seawater but are unable to quench their thirst due to its undrinkable nature. This article explores the significance of this line in the context of the poem and delves into the profound themes it encapsulates.
Published in 1798, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” is a narrative poem that tells the tale of a mariner’s harrowing journey at sea. The poem begins with the mariner stopping a wedding guest and compelling him to listen to his haunting story. As the mariner recounts his ill-fated voyage, he describes a scene where his ship is becalmed in the vast ocean, surrounded by water as far as the eye can see.
The line “Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink” encapsulates the paradoxical and desperate situation faced by the mariner and his crew. Stranded in the middle of the ocean with no wind to propel their ship and no drinkable water, they are confronted with an abundance of undrinkable seawater. The line highlights the cruel irony of their predicament, where a vital resource necessary for survival becomes inaccessible and useless.
Coleridge’s use of this line serves multiple purposes within the poem. Firstly, it emphasizes the theme of isolation and the insignificance of humanity in the face of nature’s power. The vast expanse of water surrounding the sailors serves as a stark reminder of their vulnerability and their struggle to find meaning in an unforgiving world.
Secondly, the line underscores the consequences of the mariner’s earlier transgressions against nature. In the poem, the mariner shoots an albatross, a symbol of good luck and divine providence, bringing a curse upon himself and his crew. The lack of drinkable water becomes a punishment, a reminder of the mariner’s guilt and the price he must pay for violating the natural order.
Lastly, the line alludes to the spiritual and moral journey of the mariner. As the poem progresses, the mariner undergoes a profound transformation, learning to appreciate the interconnectedness of all living beings and the sanctity of nature. The unquenchable thirst for drinkable water represents a deeper yearning for redemption and spiritual sustenance, highlighting the mariner’s longing for forgiveness and the restoration of harmony with the natural world.
The line “Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink” from “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” has resonated with readers for centuries. It captures the essence of human vulnerability, the consequences of our actions, and the longing for redemption. Beyond its immediate context in the poem, it serves as a reflection on the human condition, reminding us of the delicate balance between humanity and the natural world and the importance of respecting and cherishing the resources that sustain us.
the line “Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink” from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” encapsulates the plight of stranded sailors surrounded by undrinkable seawater. It symbolizes the themes of isolation, consequences, and spiritual transformation within the poem. The line’s enduring resonance lies in its ability to evoke a sense of desperation, irony, and the profound human longing for redemption and connection with the natural world.