The Wanderer and the Seafarer
Jay Smith
Mr. Tonnies
British Literature P.1
September 11th, 2012
A Comparison and Contrast of the Wanderer and the Seafarer Two different men, in Anglo-Saxon time, traveling, wandering the earth. One, hoping he was with family, wishing death would come to him and the other, enjoying the feeling of being alone, free from society. In the poems, The Wanderer and The Seafarer, both men begin without Christianity and as the poem comes to a close, they both find God and learn why it is important to be loyal. Their journey started out having nothing to believe in, feeling alone in the world. The Wanderer had no hope, he was just going around aimlessly, waiting for death to take him and the Seafarer was sailing around on the sea. But as their death drew closer, both men found God. “Fate is greater and God is mightier than any man’s thoughts.”(line 115-116 in the Seafarer) “Well will it be to him who seeks favor, refuge and comfort, from the Father in heaven, where all fastness stands.”(lines 117-119 in the Wanderer). Both of these men turned to God for their finally breath on earth recognizing that God leads to good things. Like it says in the quote from the Wanderer. God gives comfort to those who seek for it. Both these men go through the loss of social society. They have no one to talk to. The man from the Wanderer was exiled because he failed to complete his duty to his lord. He was forced away from the ones he loves and the city he lived in. “He remembers hall-warriors and treasure-taking, how among youth his gold-friend received him at the feast.
Cordle 2
Joy has all perished!” (lines 35-37 in the Wanderer). He feels he cannot find joy without having his old life. The man form the Seafarer was alone because he preferred it that way. He found comfort in sailing the sea. It captivated him, constantly grabbing at his attention. He didn’t want the things that everyone dreams of having. “Not for him is the sound of the harp, nor the giving of rings, nor
Mr. Tonnies
British Literature P.1
September 11th, 2012
A Comparison and Contrast of the Wanderer and the Seafarer Two different men, in Anglo-Saxon time, traveling, wandering the earth. One, hoping he was with family, wishing death would come to him and the other, enjoying the feeling of being alone, free from society. In the poems, The Wanderer and The Seafarer, both men begin without Christianity and as the poem comes to a close, they both find God and learn why it is important to be loyal. Their journey started out having nothing to believe in, feeling alone in the world. The Wanderer had no hope, he was just going around aimlessly, waiting for death to take him and the Seafarer was sailing around on the sea. But as their death drew closer, both men found God. “Fate is greater and God is mightier than any man’s thoughts.”(line 115-116 in the Seafarer) “Well will it be to him who seeks favor, refuge and comfort, from the Father in heaven, where all fastness stands.”(lines 117-119 in the Wanderer). Both of these men turned to God for their finally breath on earth recognizing that God leads to good things. Like it says in the quote from the Wanderer. God gives comfort to those who seek for it. Both these men go through the loss of social society. They have no one to talk to. The man from the Wanderer was exiled because he failed to complete his duty to his lord. He was forced away from the ones he loves and the city he lived in. “He remembers hall-warriors and treasure-taking, how among youth his gold-friend received him at the feast.
Cordle 2
Joy has all perished!” (lines 35-37 in the Wanderer). He feels he cannot find joy without having his old life. The man form the Seafarer was alone because he preferred it that way. He found comfort in sailing the sea. It captivated him, constantly grabbing at his attention. He didn’t want the things that everyone dreams of having. “Not for him is the sound of the harp, nor the giving of rings, nor