Motifs are common in the few recorded Anglo-Saxon stories. The sea is a motif that appears constantly. The sea is a source of mystery and adventure. Going out to sea leads to physical and self discovery. In Beowulf, the sea yields champions to take on Grendel. In “The Seafarer,” the sea is the narrator’s home, while the sea brings the main character to their new home in “The Wife’s Lament.”
Another motif happens to be storms. Storms signal turmoil or tragedies in the story. Beowulf encounters sea monsters when a storm wakes them from their sleep. A storm attacks the husband in “The Wife’s Lament” and keeps him in place, away from his beloved. The narrator of “The Seafarer” encounters hailstorms to symbolize his icy struggles.
The last motif to mention is the happy memory. It is human nature to try to focus on a good time when the world seems dark. The husband recalls living with his wife when they are separated in “The Wife’s Lament.” The narrator of “The Seafarer” focuses on his time at sea to lift his heart. Hrothgar of Beowulf tries to remember when Grendel didn’t plague his halls. Motifs are necessary to relay key plot points or ideas in simple stories. Stories from the Anglo-Saxons required motifs, so it was important for bards and scops to keep mental lists.
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