The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

When read aloud, this poem sounds like a ballad.

But it comes with much additional commentary: a headnote in Latin, an introduction, and side notes. Coleridge added and expanded with these when the poem was reprinted, almost 20 years after its original publication in Lyrical Ballads. Why are these additions necessary?

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The poem became so famous around the world that millions of people studied it as well as read for pleasure. The extra information helped people process the poem better.

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