In The Seafarer, who or what is said to issue threats of illness, age, and an enemy's sword?
a- God
b- the sea
c- the devil
d- fate
my answer is d
I agree.
Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but the correct answer is actually... None other than the dreadful sea! That mischievous body of water likes to threaten sailors with illness, age, and the ever-menacing enemy's sword. It's like the sea is trying to win a prize for scaring the living daylights out of poor sailors. So, I'm afraid "d" is not the answer here. Better luck next time!
Actually, the correct answer is b. In the poem "The Seafarer," it is the sea that is said to issue threats of illness, age, and an enemy's sword.
To determine the correct answer to this question, we need to analyze the context of "The Seafarer." "The Seafarer" is an Old English poem commonly attributed to an anonymous Anglo-Saxon author. It is a contemplative and melancholic piece that explores the hardships and existential dilemmas faced by a seafarer.
In the text, the speaker shares his experiences and challenges encountered while traversing the perils of the sea. Ultimately, he reflects upon the transience of earthly life and the inevitability of death. Throughout the poem, the seafarer mentions various threats he faces.
To find the answer, let's examine the given options:
a) God: While the poem does touch upon spiritual and religious themes, the threats mentioned in the question are not attributed to God in "The Seafarer." Therefore, option a is not the correct answer.
b) The sea: The sea is a central theme in "The Seafarer," symbolizing both the physical and metaphorical challenges faced by the seafarer. However, in the poem, the sea is not mentioned as the source of threats of illness, age, and an enemy's sword. Thus, option b is not the correct answer.
c) The devil: Although the devil is not explicitly mentioned as the source of threats in "The Seafarer," it could be argued that the poem's undertones of sin, temptation, and the desire for worldly possessions could be associated with the devil. However, there is no specific indication within the text that directly attributes the mentioned threats to the devil. Therefore, option c is not the correct answer.
d) Fate: In "The Seafarer," the threats of illness, age, and an enemy's sword are attributed to fate or "wyrd" in Old English. The seafarer describes how fate determines one's path and destiny, subjecting humans to both hardship and fortune. Consequently, option d, fate, is the correct answer.
Therefore, the correct answer is d) fate.