Shanyce Swaringer

“The Seafarer”
translated by Burton Raffel

Directions: Read “The Seafarer” on pages 747-749 of your textbook. Then re-read it as
you complete the following items, independently or with a partner.

1. Who is the speaker of this poem, and in what point-of-view is it told?

The speaker of the poem is a Voyager

2. The seas around Scandinavia are in the northern most hemisphere. What
might the waters have been like?
The waters must have been as cold as ice and the waves were swishing
around roughly.

3. How does the speaker feel about being at sea? Use textual support from the
poem to answer this question. (See lines 3-12, etc.)
The speaker felt like he was suffering because of the cold sea. In lines 3-9
he says "Showed me suffering in a hundred ships, 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, bound with frost."
.
4. According to the speaker, can those who are not seafarers (people who stay on land)
imagine how he feels? Use textual support from the poem to answer this question. (See
lines 12-26, etc.)
No they can't. In lines 21-26, he says, "The death-noise of birds instead of
laughter, the mewing of gulls instead of mead. Storms beat on the rocky
cliffs and were echoed by icy-feather terns and the eagle's screams; No
kinsman could offer comfort there, to a soul left drowning in desolation."

4. If life at sea is so hard for our sailor, why does he continue to go to sea
year after year? Use textual support from the poem to answer this question.
(See lines 33-38, etc.)
Every time his soul calls for a journey, he goes. In lines 36-38, he says,
"The time for journeys would come and my soul called me eagerly out, sent
me over the horizons, seeking foreigners' home."

5. How does the speaker contrast life at sea with life on land?

a. Lines 13-25 " On the quiet fairness of earth can feel how wretched I was,
drifting through winter on an ice cold sea, whirled in sorrow, alone in a
 world blown clear of love."

b. Line 28 " The passion of cities, swelled proud with wine and no taste of
misfortune, how often, how wearily."

c. Line 45 " No passion for women, no worldly pleasures,nothing only the

ocean's heave."

6. Identify some kennings (Anglo-Saxon metaphors).

a. Line 53
"Cuckoo's" = crazy
b. Choose another kenning in the poem on your own
"Icy-feathered terns" = Hail
7. Identify some alliteration (repetition of initial consonant sounds).

a. Line 12 Sea weary = overwhelmed

b. Line 26 "kinsman" = Brother

c. Line 48 "The Whale's House" = Ocean

8. This poem was recited in Pagan times and then carried over into the era of early
Christian influence.

A. Identify some Pagan elements.

i. Line 69 "Fate's three threats."

ii. Line 99 "Treasures intended for Heaven."

B. Identify some Christian elements.

i. Line 65 "Thus the joys of God."

ii. Lines 100-102 "For a soul overflowing with sin, and nothing
iii. Hidden on earth rises to Heaven."

iv. Lines 107-108 "He who lives humbly has angels from Heaven
v. To carry him courage and strength and belief."

vi. Lines 117-120 "To rise to that eternal joy, That life born in the love of
God And the hope of Heaven."

9. What do you think an important theme (lesson being taught) of the poem might be?
The poem deals with themes of searching for purpose, dealing with
death, and spiritual journeys.
10. . Identify some alliteration (repetition of initial consonant sounds).

a. Line 12 "sea-weary soul"

b. Line 26 "drowning in desolation"

c. Line 48 "only the ocean's heave"