Journal 9: Anglo-Saxon Ideals

An important aspect and respected quality in the Anglo-Saxon society was loyalty. This bond was especially important between a lord and retainer. When a member of this society was separated from he to whom they were loyal, it was evident in their demeanor. “The Seafarer” and “The Wife’s Lament” both display an idea of loyalty and tragedy of separation. In “The Wife’s Lament”, the wife is consistently mourning her separation from her husband, her lord. She is loyal to him even in her exile. Her loyalty brings her much more grief, as she cannot be with him. In “The Seafarer”, the sailor is weary of being separated from civilization, and his distress is evident. He also longs to be with God, his Lord, in heaven. His loyalty to this belief brings him the only hope he has.