The one poem that really struck me this week was “The Wife’s Lament.” In the introduction to the poem, it states that there are two interpretations of this poem in terms of the husband’s feelings towards his wife. Some suggest that he turned against his wife; others think they were separated without choice and both pine for each other’s affections. The poem leaves a lot to the reader’s interpretation because it leaves out details and only discusses the wife’s feelings; however, after reading, I felt strongly that the husband left his wife on his own free will.
In the second paragraph, the wife states that the husband’s kinfolk set out to separate her husband from her but really why would they want to cause the husband unhappiness if he was a part of their kinsman. This sounds to me like the wife is trying to make up excuses as to why her husband left her high and dry. I actually laughed when I read this (and I’m sure it’s not supposed to be funny) at the fact that this long ago women were still standing up for their men who so clearly don’t want to be with them and don’t care enough to discuss this or offer an explanation.
In the next paragraph the wife talks about how her and her husband had a bond that could only be broken by death, but was stolen from them because he was forced to leave her. All this says to me is that your husband promised you forever and obviously lied, and now you are left suffering and in denial.
In the last paragraph, it seems for a split second that the wife is considering the possibility that the husband left her on his own account when she says “Whether my friend has all the world’s joys at his bidding…” She acknowledges this for a second but it fades so quickly as she states “he suffers great anguish.” Obviously for her own sanity this woman needs to think that her husband is missing her dreadfully and has the same feelings and emotions as she does. I may be cynical, but I do not think this is the case.
I agree with you about the woman needing to belive her husband still loves her, but I'm not so sure there is enough information presented to prove that he actually doesn't.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read "The Wife's Lament", I interpreted her situation as an unfortunate thing for both her and her husband. The ambiguous "feud" she speaks of could be some sort of territorial war that her husband has gotten caught up in because of his duty to his family's honor, protection, etc.
The part where she talks about hiding in a cave under an oak-tree seems to back up this idea as well. I interpreted that as her husband (though the text uses the non-specific "I was told") telling her to hide from danger (war and/or conflict with the in-laws) until he returns from whatever it is he is required to do. I see the woman as a type of Penelope waiting for her husband Odysseus to return home from his dangerous battles and wanderings around the world. Perhaps her husband might get distrated on the way, but he at least gives her a truthful promise that he will return to her.
I'm not sure there really is a right or wrong interpretation with the scetchy information we're given surrounding this story. Quite frustrating if you ask me! This is just the first impression I got.
After my first reading I was sympathetic to the narrator of the poem. But after reading this rumination and going through the poem once again I no longer know what to think. As Joanna said, it's really quite frustrating how limited we are. Limited by the fact that the only perspective the poem provides is the wife and limited because she provides very few concrete facts upon which we can base any conclusions.
ReplyDeleteWhat really gets me though is that I'm not sure if the author intended such ambiguity or if his initial meaning was simply lost in translation. The introduction says the obscurity of the Old English led to the opposed interpretations, but even if we better understood the Old English text it's possible we would be no closer to a firm understanding of the wife's plight.
I also thought that the interpretation of her husband turning against her was the correct one. There were a couple lines that reinforced that thought. One in particular is how she now knows her husband is likeminded. I know it is not written anywhere but for her to now believe something like this it would seem as if someone said something to her while she was seeking shelter.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you! After reading your rumination, it is clear to me that she is trying to dance around an unfavorable fact; of which she does not want to admit. I always say that no matter where a child grows up, all children are similar in nature. They do the same things during childhood. This points out the fact that no matter the time period, women will still act the same when it involves love and emotions. Good point!
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