He is telling his story to a wedding - guest.
The ancient mariner is telling his story to a rather reluctant wedding - guest. You see, the mariner just sort of grabs the guest who is on his way to a wedding. It's quite an unexpected encounter. The guest doesn't really have a choice but to listen as the mariner seems very intent on sharing his strange and harrowing tale. This creates a very interesting dynamic between the two characters, with the mariner being the eager storyteller and the guest being the somewhat unwilling listener.
The ancient mariner is telling his story to a wedding - guest. In the context of the poem, this wedding - guest is initially impatient as he has a wedding to attend. But the mariner's tale is so powerful and otherworldly that it soon captivates the guest. This choice of the wedding - guest as the recipient of the story serves to heighten the contrast between the joyous occasion of the wedding that the guest is missing out on and the dark, mysterious, and often terrifying events that the mariner relates.
The ancient mariner shares his tale with a random person he meets at a wedding. This person becomes the listener as the mariner recounts his adventures at sea.
The ancient mariner tells his story to the wedding - guest.
The ancient mariner tells his story to a wedding guest.
It could be to the reader. Often, narrators in novels or short stories are implicitly addressing the reader, sharing their tale as if we are the confidants.
Odysseus is telling his story to the Phaeacians. They are a kind and hospitable people who offer him shelter and listen to his long and arduous journey.
Odysseus shares his adventures with a group of people in the court of the Phaeacians. King Alcinous and the other members of the court are the main recipients of his tales.
It could be to a specific character within the story or to an imagined audience. It really depends on the context and the nature of the narrative.
Odysseus primarily shares his tale with the people of Phaeacia. They are receptive listeners who are intrigued by his adventures and misfortunes.
Sometimes, in a memoir, the narrator is telling their story to their younger self. It's a way of reflecting on their past, making peace with their mistakes, and giving advice to the person they used to be. They are using the narrative as a form of self - exploration and self - therapy.
One possibility is that he could be telling his story to a priest. In the context of seeking absolution, Montresor might be confessing his dark deed. Priests are often the recipients of confessions, and Montresor, burdened by his conscience perhaps, could be unburdening himself to a man of God.