The ancient Mariner really looks ‘ancient’–a man of a different world. His overflowing grey beard, skinny hands and glittering eyes make him a highly imposing, abnormal and crazy character. His sense of guilt and its burden leads him to share his grief with someone. He detains one of the three Wedding-Guests and wants to tell him his tale. The dead albatross is hung around his neck instead of the holy cross. He wants to unburden his grief by telling his tale to the Wedding-Guest.