Explication of "The Seafarer"

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Explication Essay Anglo- Saxon lyric poetry is characterized by many unique traits. “The Seafarer” is published in the Exeter Book, which is one of the few surviving collections of poetry from the Anglo-Saxon era. It is about the struggles of one man against the sea and his desires for company. It is never said why he is sailing the sea but explains he is maybe in exile. “The Seafarer” can be categorized as Angle-Saxon lyric poetry for its use of kennings, change in tone, and themes that include love of the sea, loneliness, exile and fate. A popular literary device used during this time period was a kenning, which is a figurative, usually compound expression used in place of a name or noun. One is found in line fifty-three, “summer’s sentinel,” referring to a cuckoo. During this point in the poem, the lines create images that contrast with the images of the sea. Another example is in line fifty-nine through sixty “whales’ home,” referring to the sea. He is being affected by thoughts of life on land. Kenning is used in line eighty-three, “giver of gold,” to designate a king or lord. It talks about there no longer being a ruler and “all glory is tarnished.” Throughout the poem there are many changes in tone. In the beginning lines, the speaker tells of the limitless suffering, sorrow, and pain and his long experience in various ships and ports, but never explains exactly why he is driven to take to the ocean. The speaker then goes on to tell about conditions that affect both his physical body (his feet) and his spiritual sense of worth (his heart). This portrays a sense of grief to start out the poem. Around line twenty-five the tone changes to pessimistic. The speaker explains the loneliness of being on the sea and expects a bad outcome. It also has this tone specifically beginning on line fifty-four. Then towards the ending of the poem it takes on a calmer

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