Analysis of “The Seafarer” Many high school graduates go to college not knowing what they want to pursue a career in. However, there is a good percentage that does. The navy recruits approximately 40.000 people each year, both male and female. Most beginners go in headstrong, motivated, and predicting that it will all be a breeze. However, it is said that training is the toughest hardship that the new recruits will undergo. The drills include a variety varying from swimming exercises to completing an obstacle course. Many grow hate for career path they have chosen, and think about dropping out. Yet, they continue to prosper through, gain their acceptance, and begin to love their job. “The Seafarer,” an elegy written by an unknown author, greatly exhibits the same scenario by revealing the love-hate relationship between the seafarer and his duties. While nature abuses him physically, he mentally honors his position out at sea. Though at times he wants to give up, he continues to prosper accordingly, to fulfill both his earthly and spiritual destiny. The seafarer undergoes many “hardships” (10) while out at sea. Through the narrators word choice of tactual imagery, readers learn that he is greatly …show more content…
He uses qualities that Anglo-Saxon men valued to describe how imperfect humans are. In those days, being “bold” (40), great, and “proud”( 39) were all looked at as being powerful. Nevertheless, he explains that it is only “by God” (41) people even exist, and that He is the only one who has authority over the seafarer tribulations. He goes on saying that no “worldly pleasures” (45) will ever be able to make anyone feel complete, due to them being only temporary. The seafarer mentions “spring” (49) and “summer” (53), and how alluring they truly are. However, he continues to want to be out at sea, exiled from the world, fulfilling his “fate”