I read this poem in school and I found it very interesting. Though this man was secluded by the ocean, he had an enormous amount of the characteristics of the land people. He even sailed just so that he would escape them. He did attempt to be religious but that was very much influenced by the history of pagan background. It was a culturally rich book.

This tale has always represented an outstanding glimpse into the Old English traditions. When I first translated it years ago into contemporary English I found its richness compelling and moving. The lost person exiled from friendship, fellowhip and spiritual bonding lamenting his state. All these virtues were highly thought of by the Vikings and it eerily parallels many Christian virtues long before Christianity came into this "pagan" world. The motif of the cold and icy landscape also mirrors the inner turmoil of the wanderer. What a timeless depiction of the necessity for human interaction!!!!