Marlow and the sailor in Heart of Darkness and The Rime of the Ancient Mariner are both morally ambiguous characters with many similarities. Each embarks on a great journey where their character is tested numerous times. Their trials lead to many profound revelations about humanity, which are explored in ways only possible because of their nebulous morality. At the beginning of their adventures, both Marlow and the Mariner were just sailors seeking adventure and fortune. The motivations for their actions were simple; Marlow was “lost in all the glories of exploration” (p. 13) and the Mariner was just trying to avoid a storm. But each would be changed in profound ways by their journeys, largely due to their ambiguous morality. The gray nature of Marlow's psyche is highlighted primarily through his opinions and judgments, for example his condescending attitude towards women and his perceived bond with the natives. The sailor's morality is obviously not purely good, as he “shot the albatross” (l. 81-82) that had only brought him luck, for no reason other than that he was jealous and had the power to do so. the decisions would weigh heavily on both of them during their journeys. Because of his rash decision, the albatross was hung around the sailor's neck, a burden that, together with his guilt, he would have to carry for a long time. Also avenging the albatross were the horrible two who gambled for the sailor's life: all the members of his crew, some of whom were very close to him, "fell one by one... With a loud splash, a lifeless piece " (l 219-220), killed by Death. They too shared the blame for the sailor's crime, for they had condoned his action while things were good. But......middle paper......lessons away from a job. Since all real people have both good and evil within them, at least to some extent, they can more easily relate to morally ambiguous characters like themselves. This is perhaps why the sailor's tale left the wedding guest "a sadder and wiser man" (l. 625) - he saw the sailor in himself and knew that the sailor's tale could easily have been the his, if his circumstances had been different. Despite their differences, Marlow and the Mariner both describe similar aspects of human nature. They embark on similar journeys and ultimately share the same fate. They each share a complex moral ambiguity. It is this quality that drives many key events of both Heart of Darkness and The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. And it is also their moral ambiguity that allows for the development of the intricate revelations that make these works great.