The Seafarer And Religion

“The Seafarer”, translated by Burton Raffel, who was from Anglo-Saxon, contains many references to both Paganism and Christianity. Paganism follows older, more traditional beliefs of fate and has a grim outlook on the world, while Christianity has a more positive outlook. During the sixth century, Christian monks wrote the poem "The Seafarer", right before Christianity gained dominance in Britain. It was essentially used as propaganda in order to convince Pagans that they could practice both Paganism and Christianity. They were told that they could continue to honor their belief in fate, but also be able to embrace life and be happy. The seafarer’s Pagan/Christian religious faith was typical to a person living during the Anglo-Saxon period.
The seafarer believes that every man is afraid and concerned for what their fate has in store for them. The seafarer, himself, is afraid of what will happen to him, leading to his belief in Christianity. The seafarer’s Christian beliefs are evident when he says, “Our thoughts should turn to where our home is, consider the ways of coming there, then strive for sure permission for us to rise to that eternal joy, that life born in the love of God and the hope of Heaven, praise the Holy Grace of Him who honored us, eternal, unchanging creator of earth. Amen” (Raffel 119-126). Because the seafarer has Christian beliefs as well, it allows him to channel his thoughts of fear into positive energy. These lines show that he can believe in the fate of death, while also viewing death as a time to achieve