The Seafarer Essay

6) Interpret the imagery of sea and birds and discuss what it means in relation to the journey.

As the seafarer travels along harsh winter seas, he sees evidence of nature, particularly in the sea, and birds that fly above. Unfortunately, nature seems to be a poor substitute for the human companionship that he has left behind back on land. But still, the seafarer feels a sort of connection to nature, and the imagery of the sea and birds help reinforce this theme. 

The seafarer mentions many birds that he sees on his journey and that bring him great comfort, greater comfort than a mead hall. One of these birds is a swan, he mentions "At times the swan's song
I took to myself as pleasure," (line 20). The symbolic meaning of the swam is an appearance in our lives as an arrow pointing to our dreamier depths and feelings. Furthermore, we get the sense of balance from swan meaning as it lives harmoniously amongst three of the four Aristotelian elements. The swan may also bear messages of love and relationships.When the swan glides upon the waters of our awareness, it might be a symbol of love, and a reminder of the blessings found in our relationships. So when the seafarer hears this song of the swan he might be reminded of his fellow kinsmen on land. 

The sea is a huge imagery in this poem as it's the entire first part. The seafarer mentions that if you exiled yourself on the sea you face more hardships than you would on land. He mentions that 

"I can make a true song, about me myself,tell my travels,how I often endured days of struggle,of troublesome times, [how I] have suffered ,grim sorrow at heart.." (lines 1-7). The seafarer goes through hardships and doesn't miss the mead or laughter of men, he has become one with himself, or one with nature, due to this journey.

As the seafarer travels along harsh winter seas, he becomes one with nature. The seafarer doesn't miss the human companionship that he has left behind back on land. But still, the seafarer thinks about those glory days and faces his hardships now.