The three poems from Exeter Book you read in this unit all deal somehow with the themes of travel and exile. These poems can be interpreted allegorically, meaning that their elements have a significance that goes beyond their literal meaning. What do you think travel and exile symbolize in each of the three poems?

Explain your interpretation in an essay containing at least five quotes from the poems you read from The Exeter Book. Make sure to base your interpretation on your knowlegde of Anglo-Saxon life and culture

The symbols of travel and exile might be understood in many different forms according to the context (in this case the poems) we are dealing with. These are some ideas to bare in mind while reading about these topics.

In connection to exile, it could be said that it was a great deal for Anglo-Saxon women and men. As the relationship between Lord and retainer was significant or forced to exile as a way of punishment. Many of the poems deal with the pain exile provoked.

As regards travel, it could be understood that it is really connected to exile, because many people had to leave their places and travel to others in order to space from their Lords. In some other cases, it is connected to expiration of new places, to adventures or even to new starts in life.