PPol
“The Seafarer” Questions
Answer the following questions on another piece of paper in complete sentences using no unidentified pronouns.
Responding
1. Do you agree that “Fate is stronger….than any man’s mind?” Why or why not?
I believe this to be true for the simple fact that fate is already pre-determined, something that you cannot change. A mans mind is always undecided and, lost for a way to go but fate is unparralled in its decisiveness. A mans mind is far weaker than fate making this a viable statement.
Recalling
2. What are three images the poet uses in lines 1-57 to convey his sense of isolation?
- “fettered by cold were my feet”.
- “the hunger tears from within, my weary soul”.
- “Where then cares seethed hot about my heart”.
3. (a) What happens to “A fool … who does not fear his Lord?” (line 106)
A fool who does not fear his lord, “death comes to him unprepared”. (b) What happens to those who “live humbly?” (lines 107 and 108)?
Blessed is the one who lives humbly, “to him comes forgiveness from heaven”.
Interpreting
4. How might you explain the mixed feelings about the sea that the poet seems to feel?
It seems the feeling the seafarer has for the sea is a love-hate relationship. Although he admires for its vast equities, the sea is filled with many sorrows and hardships. This creates a distinct contrast in his feelings for the sea.
5. Pagans in Anglo-Saxon England—that is, non-Christians—felt themselves at the mercy of forces utterly beyond their control, whereas Christians put their trust in salvation and heaven. In what way do lines 39 through 43 show the influence of both beliefs?
In lines 39-43 the seafarer uses the beliefs of the anglo Saxons to prove a point. This point being: regardless of what your beliefs may be you will never go a day in your life without the fear of god being in your heart.
6. Explain lines 66 and 67: “The wealth / Of the world neither reaches to Heaven nor remains.”
The wealth of the world
Answer the following questions on another piece of paper in complete sentences using no unidentified pronouns.
Responding
1. Do you agree that “Fate is stronger….than any man’s mind?” Why or why not?
I believe this to be true for the simple fact that fate is already pre-determined, something that you cannot change. A mans mind is always undecided and, lost for a way to go but fate is unparralled in its decisiveness. A mans mind is far weaker than fate making this a viable statement.
Recalling
2. What are three images the poet uses in lines 1-57 to convey his sense of isolation?
- “fettered by cold were my feet”.
- “the hunger tears from within, my weary soul”.
- “Where then cares seethed hot about my heart”.
3. (a) What happens to “A fool … who does not fear his Lord?” (line 106)
A fool who does not fear his lord, “death comes to him unprepared”. (b) What happens to those who “live humbly?” (lines 107 and 108)?
Blessed is the one who lives humbly, “to him comes forgiveness from heaven”.
Interpreting
4. How might you explain the mixed feelings about the sea that the poet seems to feel?
It seems the feeling the seafarer has for the sea is a love-hate relationship. Although he admires for its vast equities, the sea is filled with many sorrows and hardships. This creates a distinct contrast in his feelings for the sea.
5. Pagans in Anglo-Saxon England—that is, non-Christians—felt themselves at the mercy of forces utterly beyond their control, whereas Christians put their trust in salvation and heaven. In what way do lines 39 through 43 show the influence of both beliefs?
In lines 39-43 the seafarer uses the beliefs of the anglo Saxons to prove a point. This point being: regardless of what your beliefs may be you will never go a day in your life without the fear of god being in your heart.
6. Explain lines 66 and 67: “The wealth / Of the world neither reaches to Heaven nor remains.”
The wealth of the world