what makes the seafarer an elegy
"The Seafarer" is considered an elegy for several reasons. An elegy is a poetic form that typically reflects on themes of loss, grief, and mortality. Here's why "The Seafarer" can be seen as an elegy:
1. Theme of loss and isolation: In the poem, the speaker describes the hardships and solitude of a life at sea. He recalls the deaths of fellow sailors and the loneliness he experiences while being separated from his loved ones and the familiar comforts of land. This sense of loss and isolation evokes the mournful tone that is characteristic of elegies.
2. Contemplation of mortality: The seafarer frequently contemplates the transience and vulnerability of human life. He reflects on the uncertainty of the future, the inevitability of death, and the fleeting nature of earthly existence. This preoccupation with mortality aligns with the themes often present in elegies.
To understand why "The Seafarer" is an elegy, it is important to read and analyze the poem in detail, paying attention to its themes, tone, and the emotions it evokes. By examining these elements, one can grasp the elegiac qualities of the poem.