Analysis of “The Seafarer” “The Seafarer” by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon scop, focuses on the themes of personal conflict and the desire to be on a journey. Have you ever experienced love and hate at the exact same time? This Anglo-Saxon elegy reveals the pain of isolation, desire, love, and confusion the sea causes the speaker to feel when he faces fate. The Seafarer has developed a love-hate relationship for his passion. The Seafarer’s emotions are constantly shifting as he views his life in separate perspectives. Though he feels the pain of isolation, the love-hate emotions of being at sea, and fears his fate; he focuses on God and his plan for him.
The first section of this elegy, the speaker uses powerful words to show how miserable he feels in his current situation. He feels “pain” (3) mentally, physically, and emotionally. Being at sea can cause a person to reminisce on their life and decisions. The Seafarer is “cold” (15) the wind and hail storms are beginning to get the best of him. Also, he hears “death-noises” (21) such as the eagle screams. He begins to lose control of his life; at least that is the thought that begin to haunt him. The speaker says, “death-noises”, which is a kenning. Anglo-Saxons often used kennings when writing. Also, they believed that pain was not a terrible feeling.
In the second section, the
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His soul “wanders” (58) to the wildest corners of the world. However, he feels he is in “solitary” (62) his soul flies in solitary, screaming as if it is out of control and so is the Seafarer. Also, he says the sea is “breaking” (63) oaths on the curves of the waves. This relates to him due to the way the sea causes him to break promises. The speaker uses the onomatopoeic effect which creates a musical effect with the “w”. This connects with Anglo-Saxon ways of life due to the personification that they commonly use in their writings. Also, the visual imagery of the waves