An Explication of "The Seafarer"

Anglo-Saxon lyric poetry is characterized by many unique traits. These traits are seen throughout such works in the tone, form, themes, and symbolism. An example of Anglo-Saxon lyric poetry is "The Seafarer." It is published in the Exeter Book, which is one of the few surviving collections of poetry from the Anglo-Saxon era. "The Seafarer" can be categorized as Anglo-Saxon lyric poetry for its uses of kennings, pessimistic and fatalistic tones, poetic structure, themes that include love of the sea, loneliness and exile, fate or Wyrd, and added Christian perspective.

The Seafarer is a monologue of the struggles one man against the sea and his desires for company. The man has an obligation to sail the sea for his entire life. He listens to his conscience and fulfills his duty because he has lived on the sea his entire career. He knows the...