Iron Maiden’s version of “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” can be considered as Romantic poetry through the way the song itself is delivered. The instrumental backing the vocals provide a way of a rising and fall of emotion throughout the song. For example, using the video provided to us, starting at about 5:20 there is sudden shift in tone going from a very upbeat tempo to a slow, ominous, elongated instrumental which then becomes the background for a quote from the poem,
One after one, by the star-dogged Moon,
Too quick for groan or sigh,
Each turned his face with a ghastly pang,
And cursed me with his eye.
Four times fifty living men,
(And I heard nor sigh nor groan)
With heavy thump, a lifeless lump,
They dropped down one by one.
The sudden change in dynamic helps add more to the imagery of seeing all of the men die before his eyes. It is also important to note that this piece of the song is in the point of view of the mariner. I would argue choosing to put this particular piece of the song as the mariner remembering also works to further emphasize how the mariner’s tale turns somber as he is telling the sad tale of his journey.
-Elizabeth Dominguez
English Literature of the Long Eighteenth Century (1660-1837) Gone Global 
I completely agree with the tempo of the song being an indicator in how it made justice to the poem. The main idea from your blog that stood out states, “The sudden change in dynamic helps add more to the imagery of seeing all of the men die before his eyes. It is also important to note that this piece of the song is in the point of view of the mariner”. If you were to add more information I would suggest to further make the connection between the quote and the concept of Romanticism since the emotion element you brought up needs more attention.
-Kristy Frausto
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The main thesis here is how Iron Maiden “works to further emphasize how the mariner’s tale turns somber as he is telling the sad tale of his journey.” Working off this thesis, I thought your analysis of the interlude to be correct in shifting the emotion of the song and poem. Although, it would be better if you could expand upon how emotion plays a part to the message of the poem/song; why should we care about emotion? Furthermore, how does emotion coincide with Romanticism?
-Daniel Corral
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