Tone Of The Seafarer

The Seafarer: Finding God Many Anglo-Saxons were deep sea fishermen. Since many of the Anglo-Saxon people were fishermen, it carried out into their literature. In the poem, The Seafarer written by an unknown author, the narrator portrays a very depressive tone in the first half, but changes the overall mood to a more positive outlook in the second half of the poem. The first half of the poem takes on a very depressing tone. The narrator is all alone at sea, has no companionship, and is struggling by to survive. It is winter while the narrator is on the ship so he is freezing, and has no one to care for him. The narrator believes that he has nothing to live for. He is struggling and does not know how much longer he can last. “No harps ring in his heart, no rewards, No passion for women, no worldly pleasures, Nothing, only the ocean’s heave.” (Lines 44-46). The narrator also believes that this is unfair, and that the people on this earth do not deserve the pain he has endured “No man sheltered 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.” (Lines 12-16).

Having God in the narrator's life has truly had an impact on him. The poem's tone turns very positive as the narrator is finding faith in God. The narrator is able to overcome his fear of being alone and afraid because he now has God looking out for him. “ To rise to that eternal joy, that life born in the love of God And the hope of Heaven. Praise the Holy Grace of Him who honored us, Eternal, unchanging creator of earth. Amen.” (Lines 120- 124). This shows the reader how God is there helping him through tough times, and letting him know that everything is going to be