In samuel taylor coleridge's "the rime of the ancient mariner," why does the albatross finally fall from the mariner's neck? the mariner has finished telling his story to the wedding guest. the mariner is free from the judgment of his shipmates, after they all die. the mariner has learned to love creatures besides humans. the mariner drops it into the water as bait while hunting water snakes.

In Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," the Albatross finally falls from the Mariner's neck after he has learned to love creatures besides humans.  For example he seems to bless some water snakes that are swimming beside the ship. Although he had once killed an albatross (which caused the curse he was under) he has come to realize that all of God’s creatures deserve to be treated with respect.