He holds him with his glittering eye - The Wedding-Guest stood still, And listens like a three years child: The Mariner hath his will.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The mariner's eye holds the guest captive, making him listen like a child, showing power over him.
- In plain terms
- The mariner stares at the guest until he listens like a child.
- What can you take from it?
- Intense focus can control others without words.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does eye contact change a conversation?
- When do you feel unable to leave?
Another view
It portrays control that might be seen as coercive in reality.
More from Samuel Taylor Coleridge
The guests are met, the feast is set: May'st hear the merry din.
Permalink to quote #35 The ship was cheered, the harbour cleared, Merrily did we drop Below the kirk, below the hill, Below the light-house top.
Permalink to quote #37 It is an ancient Mariner, And he stoppeth one of three. 'By thy long gray beard and glittering eye, Now wherefore stopp'st thou me?'
Permalink to quote #34
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