The Wanderer
Poetry
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Anonymous
The Wanderer Main Text
The Wanderer
by Anonymous
Translated by Roy M. Liuzza
Always the one alone longs for mercy,
the Maker's mildness, though, troubled in mind,
across the ocean-ways he has long been forced
co stir with his hands the frost-cold sea,
and walk in exile's paths. Wyrd is fully fixed.
Thus spoke the Wanderer, mindful of troubles,
of cruel slaughters and dear kinsmen's downfall:
"Often alone, in th...
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The Wanderer Summary
The poem starts with the Wanderer praying to God for comfort and guidance as he endures his lonely exile at sea. Despite his suffering, he accepts that this is his destiny, and he cannot escape it.
The Wanderer remembers the pain of losing his lord and kinsmen to death and destruction. He feels completely alone, with no one to share his sorrow. Although he believes it is wise to hide emotions, he...
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The Wanderer Themes
Here are the major themes we can find the the Old English poem The Wanderer.
Exile and Loneliness
The theme of exile is at the heart of The Wanderer. The poem captures the physical separation of the Wanderer from his homeland. It also captures the emotional desolation of losing his lord and kin. The Wanderer’s journey through a cold and lonely sea mirrors his internal grief and longing for the war...
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The Wanderer Key Facts
The Wanderer Key Facts
Title: The Wanderer
Author: Anonymous
[The composer and compiler are anonymous, and within the manuscript the poem is untitled.]
Manuscript Source: Preserved in the Exeter Book, a 10th-century anthology of Old English poetry
Written: The poem predates the Exeter Book, likely written in the late 9th or early 10th century
Lines: 115 lines
Verse Form: Alliterativ...
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