Central Ideas in “the Seafarer”

There are three central ideas in the Anglo-Saxon poem “The Seafarer.” The

hardships of being at sea, eternal salvation, and the idea that nothing is permanent. It is the monologue of an old sailor.

The beginning of this poem tells of the old sailor hardships at sea. He experiences

he bitter cold of the winter, being alone and isolated at sea, and hunger.

In a thousand ports, and in me. It tells of smashing surf when I sweated in the cold of an anxious watch, perched in the bow as it dashed under cliffs. My feet were cast in icy bands with frost, with frozen chains, and hardships groaned around my heart. Hunger tore at my sea-weary soul. On an ice-cold sea, whirled in sorrow, alone in a world blown clear of love, hung in icicles. The hailstorm flew. (5-17)

Anderson 2

A second central idea is the idea that nothing last forever and remains permanent.

The seafarer knows of three fates that threaten him: illness, age, or death by an enemy.

Thus the joys of God are fervent with life, where life itself