Journal 6

Throughout the epic Beowulf, and the poems “The Seafarer” and “The Wanderer,” there are many motifs that represent the Anglo Saxon culture and values. Along with representing the Anglo Saxon values, these motifs add to the character’s personality and thoughts. Although there were many motifs, the three main motifs were exile, fate, and elegiac elements which helped the characters find fame and refine their thoughts on humanity and the world.

In Beowulf, the Geatish warrior Beowulf travels to the Danes to help the king, Hrothgar, relinquish the hellish monster Grendel. Througout this epic, Beowulf would show motifs of exile himself in order to achieve the highest level of glory and fame. Although Beowulf traveled with his loyal men, he knew that he alone would fight this gruesome monster. To him, the ultimate glory was to win a decisive battle without the assistance of an ally. This became evident when Beowulf claimed that his “hands alone shall fight for me” (Raffel 25). Not only did Beowulf fight without any help, but he was so blinded by the thought of eternal glory that he did not fight with a weapon. Beowulf was so powerful that when he held Grendel’s arm, Grendel thought “that nowhere on earth had he met a man whose hands were harder" (Raffel 32). Furthermore, when Beowulf faced Grendel’s mother he “would not wait for anyone’s answer” (Raffel 36).  This further proves that Beowulf would exile himself even when facing a tougher enemy. Bewoulf would consistently exile himself in order to fulfill his quest of fame, glory, and recognition. Another motif presented in Beowulf is fate. Beowulf exiled himself only because he believed that ““fate will unwind as it must” and either he or Grendel will win, solely based on fate. Beowulf also refrences about fat in his prideful boast wit Unferth, where he claims that fat is the only reason he knows that he will easily be able to defeat Grendel. Lastly, is the elegy in Beowulf, which occurs after the fierce battle with the dragon. Beowulf’s “soul fled from his breast to its destined place” (Heaney 48). After showing his brute strength and amazing power, the great Beowulf had fallen. This event is elegiac because Beowulf had done so much, as a warrior and a ruler, but he could not defeat his final opponent. The epic ends with “his hearth companions sorrowed for the lord who had been laid low,” showing how mournful Beowulf’s men felt after their great king had fallen.

In the poem “The Seafarer,” the seafarer is in search for heavenly, glorious treasure. The seafarer places himself in exile because he finds the people on the land to be “ignorant” (Raffel 89). The Seafarer believed that those who were confined on land would not be able to achieve more knowledge about humanity and the world. Moreover, the seafarer believes that if he exiles himself from earthly rewards, then he will be “eternally blessed in the hosts of Heavens” (Raffel 90). The Seafarer also believes deeply in fate. Life, in his opinion, is dictated by fate as “No man has ever faced the dawn certain which of Fate’s three threats would fall” (Raffel 89). The seafarer believes that no matter how much a man tries, he will not run away from the fate of illness, age, or an enemy’s sword. “The Seafarer” is an elegiac poem, as the seafarer views the perished kingdoms that once “flourished in glory” (Raffel 89). Due to the numerous generations that have passed, the kingdoms “glory is tarnished” and the “pleasures are dead” (Raffel 90). These statements show that the poem is elegiac because the seafarer can no longer enjoy the pleasures of the kingdom, and that the perished kingdoms will ever returned.

Similar to “The Seafarer,” “The Wanderer’s” exile was self inflicted. Described to be sailing aimlessly in exile, the wanderer was in search for his beloved friends who were “long since dead” (Raffel 104). The wanderer continues to search for his lost lord, but it is evident that the wanderer is still in shock of their death, and is left sailing in dismay unit he can find “a lord to replace lost ones” (Raffel 104). The wanderer believes that if he exiles himself at sea, he will be able to overcome his loss and find a new purpose to life. The wanderer is thankful for fate, as it helped him keep “a single port: memory” (Raffel 104). If it was not for fate, the wanderer would not be able to remember his memories of his beloved friends and lord. Even though the wanderer had exiled himself from society, it was fate that had brought him his memories. Finally, an elegiac tone is used throught “The Wanderer.” The whole poem focuses about a traveler filed with despair and gloom after losing his beloved friends and lord. The tone circles around how “grief hands on his heart” and how somber and solemn the poem is.

Beowulf, “The Seafarer,” and “The Wanderer” contain motifs that present the Anglo-Saxon values.  In each piece, exile was self inflicted, but meant to enrich the heart with either glory, treasures, or a peace of mind. Fate is used as a factor that decides the outcomes of battle, pleasures of the afterlife, and life. Lastly, an elegiac tone is used to represent death, a loss, or an aimless search.   Beowulf, “The Seafarer,” and “The Wanderer” all use these motifs to enhance the presentation of Anglo-Saxon culture.