Anglo-Saxon poetry is best known for its regard for the timely darkness of the world in which they were written. Both from the Anglo-Saxon period, “The Wanderer” and “The Sailor” show strong characteristics of the literature of the time. Accompanied by a strong relationship in the theme and purpose of the two poems, the narrators' tones create a polarity that distinguishes “The Wanderer” from “The Sailor.” Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay"The Wanderer" begins with a strong impression of a melancholic tone perceived by the reader as he begins to tell his story as an exile, living in a condition of near loneliness and helplessness. He describes his situation: “No one knew me now, no one offered me comfort, allowed me feasting or joy.” It is obvious from this passage that his conflict is interpersonal: he is with no one who will offer him what he once should never have asked for. Believing that the world was corrupt due to these struggles on the land, his tone turns dark and his words spit hatred for the changing times when "the heat is dead". “The Sailor,” only the narrator approaches the situation with what can only be described as passion. The narrator essentially finds a way out and uses the sea as an escape route. Although his narrative is filled with complaints of hunger, cold, and lack of shelter, the seafarer prefers the hardships of home at sea to on land, in a world he claims has been “swept away by love.” The seafarer faces the internal conflict of where he should be: in the desolate, roaring waters or in a social environment on land. He also mentions the changing times and how the world has “bent like the men who shape it,” further encouraging the narrator's preference for the sea. His image of the sea is that of a potential journey, which would essentially make the journey worth any turmoil. The main difference in tone comes from the narrators' perspectives. Where the wanderer has no choice but to live as an outcast, the seafarer chooses to marginalize himself. Because the wanderer finds himself in this position, the narrative of his conflict reflects the emotion behind loneliness, rejection, and lack of direction. The seafarer, on the other hand, knows exactly what he is subjecting himself to and chooses the tumultuous life at sea because he seeks travel and adventure, which he feels is not available on land. In places in both poems, there is both a sense of desperation and hope. There is a theme that corruption resides in society and people, especially lords and rulers, are no longer helpful to people or peers. The traveler is an exile and the seafarer is driven to solitude by this corruption. Thematically, faith also plays an important role as both the wanderer and the seafarer believe that God is a rock in a shaken society. Even though the wanderer has nowhere to go and there is no one to accept him, he puts his faith in God to guide him and assure him that everything will fall into place. For the seafarer and his conflict, his loneliness will not become a problem in achieving spiritual fulfillment because God is stable despite the rough seas of his life. In both, the idea of God as hope prevails. Christianity is a single light shining in the dark Anglo-Saxon era, and is mentioned in both "The Wanderer" and "The Seafarer". This presence of faith intertwined with the dark settings presented connects both poems to common characteristics of the Anglo-Saxons. poem, one..
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