Journal #6

Throughout much of Anglo Saxon literature, common themes and reoccurring ideas are present. These motifs include those of exile and fate. These two topics are present in the poems of Beowulf, The Seafarer, and The Wanderer. The writers of all three of these poems are unknown, however, the use of Anglo-Saxon ideas throughout suggest that all of these writers were from the Anglo-Saxon period. The use of the motifs of exile and fate throughout Beowulf, The Seafarer, and The Wanderer reflect the values and beliefs of the Anglo-Saxon people.

Both the poems of The Seafarer and The Wanderer are classified as elegies -- a sorrowful poem of serious reflection. The Seafarer is a poem about a man who has self-isolated himself to the sea. He is filled with sorrow, fear, pain, and many challenges, with a “soul left drowning in desolation.” This self-isolation follows the Anglo-Saxon ideal of exile. The narrator believes that, “[People’s] thoughts should turn to where our home is...then strive for sure permission for us to rise to that eternal joy,” and that “fate is stronger and God mightier than any man’s hand,” following the Anglo-Saxon motif of fate. In The Wanderer, however, the narrator feels remorse for the disappearance of everything pleasurable on Earth. He is filled with regret and dark thoughts, believing that there is no one to trust in the world. Therefore, he is exiled in regards to the fact that no one is left to enjoy life with him. He believes in the idea that the heavenly father is his “fortress and strength,” and that a “good man is he who guardeth his faith.” Throughout the epic poem, Beowulf, these ideals of exile and fate are also present. The Danes, under the rule of Hrothgar, continuously exile the monster Grendel, who is only longing for a meaning in life. These people also believe in the concept of fate, and the highest honor was found in being honorable to your king.

In Anglo-Saxon culture, the ideals of fate and exile were very prominent, as seen in many of the writings from that time. In The Seafarer, a man exiles himself to the sea, where he encounters many challenges, but has time to ponder his beliefs about fate and the afterlife. In The Wanderer, a man is exiled by not having anyone to enjoy life with, in which time he reflects on his beliefs about the problems of the world around him. In Beowulf, an entire town exiles a monster longing to fit in, while a number of heroes strive for greatness by being loyal to their king, in order to be the most profitable in the afterlife. When reading the poems of The Wanderer, The Seafarer, and Beowulf, these two motifs are reflected in great detail.