Fate in Anglo-Saxon Poetry

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Fate and Anglo-Saxon Poetry Anglo-Saxon poetry demonstrates how fate can inconveniently intervene in lives. As demonstrated in “The Seafarer,” “The Wanderer,” and “The Wife’s Lament” fate leads people down different ‘rabbit holes’ all of the time. In Anglo-Saxon poetry fate plays an important part, fate leads people to seek out new adventures as well as the chance of self discovery. The world of Anglo-Saxon poetry features views about Christianity and that the after life exists, as well as what emotions the original authors were feeling at the time. In Anglo-Saxon poetry, fate ultimately is a test of finding home and working to get there. During the 7th century, exile was a very common occurrence, even if it was self imposed. In “The Seafarer” a man was facing exile and demonstrated how difficult it is for a man. ‘How the sea look at me, swept me back and earth is sorrow and fear and pain (21).’ Many Anglo-Saxon poems feature emothins such as, sorrow and fear. Often times when the original writers are sorrowful and fearful they turn to God and ask him to help them along their fate-led journey. As demonstrated in “The Wanderer,” ‘Weary of exile, cometh God’s passionate love (21).’ although Christianity was just becoming more and more accepted, it plays a role in these poems, demonstrating that whenever the speaker is feeling weak they turn to God for answers and security while fate takes them their journey. In Anglo-Saxon poetry, fate plays a role by testing the original speakers on their journey through life. “The Wanderer” deomstrates how fate can be un fair and play mean tricks while, at the same time testing the speaker’s strength and perseverience. ‘When the dark earth covered my dear lord’s face, and I sail away with a sorrowful heart (27).’ The speaker in ‘The Wanderer” is expressing how they feel in that situation, how they feel when their lord,
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