In the first part it is said that the mariner was traveling towards the south and the the second part it is said that the mariner was traveling towards the north.How is there a sudden change in the direction without any notable change in the direction of the wind????
I found this. Hope it helps,
It would appear that it is easier to enter the ''Southern'' World'' than it is to leave it.
On the outward voyage the vessel reaches the equator and meets a ''storm-blast'' that carries it at great speed toward the South.
On the way back North it again reaches the equator.
We are told both times that the ship has reached the equator by the line that tells us that the sun stood over the mast at noon - this can only happen at the equator.
This time however, the ship is becalmed - ''down dropt the breeze, the sails dropt down''.
Many strange things happen here before the vessel eventually continues Northward.
http://www.learnoutloud.com/Free-Audio-Video/Literature/Poetry/The-Rhyme-of-the-Ancient-Mariner/7415
