The most important bond in Anglo-Saxon society was that between a lord and his retainers. How do “The Seafarer” and “The Wife’s Lament” reveal the Anglo-Saxon ideal of loyalty and the tragedy of separation or exile from one’s lord?
Loyalty between a lord and his vassal characterizes one of the ideals of Anglo-Saxon society. It was believed that fame, happiness, success could only be gained through loyalty. “The Seafarer” illustrates this idea of loyalty as well. After line 64, the seafarer laments that there are no rulers present on Earth anymore. He then gains solace from his isolated lifestyle through allegiance to his only lord, God. “Under his lord, Fate is stronger and God mightier than any man’s mind.” (pg 91) In contrast, in “The Wife’s Lament”, the wife remains loyal to her lord, her husband. Despite being banished by her husband’s kinsman, unable to see her love, she reflects on the grief her husband may feel. “Full often here the absence of my lord comes sharply to me.” (pg 93)
Loyalty between a lord and his vassal characterizes one of the ideals of Anglo-Saxon society. It was believed that fame, happiness, success could only be gained through loyalty. “The Seafarer” illustrates this idea of loyalty as well. After line 64, the seafarer laments that there are no rulers present on Earth anymore. He then gains solace from his isolated lifestyle through allegiance to his only lord, God. “Under his lord, Fate is stronger and God mightier than any man’s mind.” (pg 91) In contrast, in “The Wife’s Lament”, the wife remains loyal to her lord, her husband. Despite being banished by her husband’s kinsman, unable to see her love, she reflects on the grief her husband may feel. “Full often here the absence of my lord comes sharply to me.” (pg 93)
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