from The Exeter Book, “The Seafarer,” “The Wanderer,” and “The Wife’s Lament”
Which of these is true of “The Seafarer,” “The Wanderer,” and “The Wife’s Lament?”
(1 point)
All three present a woman’s perspective.
All three present a sailor’s perspective.
All three describe the loneliness of exile.
All three celebrate Anglo-Saxon values.
All three describe the loneliness of exile.
Out of the given options, the correct answer is:
"All three describe the loneliness of exile."
To determine which of these statements is true of "The Seafarer," "The Wanderer," and "The Wife's Lament," we need to analyze the content and themes of each poem.
"The Seafarer" is a poem that revolves around a sailor's perspective. It vividly depicts the hardships and challenges faced by seafarers as they navigate the treacherous seas. The poem delves into their experiences of isolation and the longing for home, making it a reflection of the sailor's perspective.
"The Wanderer" is another Old English poem that explores a similar theme of isolation and exile. It follows a solitary wanderer who has lost his lord and his kin. The poem delves into the wanderer's feelings of grief, loneliness, and the transience of earthly life. Like "The Seafarer," it presents the perspective of someone who is experiencing loneliness and the effects of being in exile.
On the other hand, "The Wife's Lament" diverges from the sailor's perspective and instead presents a woman's perspective. The poem is believed to be spoken by a woman who must bear the burden of separation from her husband. It delves into her feelings of sorrow, longing, and despair, highlighting the plight of a wife who has been abandoned.
From this analysis, we can conclude that the statement "All three present a sailor's perspective" is accurate for "The Seafarer" and "The Wanderer" but not for "The Wife's Lament." Likewise, the statement "All three describe the loneliness of exile" is true for all three poems. However, neither "The Seafarer," "The Wanderer," nor "The Wife's Lament" focuses on celebrating Anglo-Saxon values. Hence, the statement "All three celebrate Anglo-Saxon values" is not accurate.
In summary, the correct answer to the question is: "All three describe the loneliness of exile."