The poem explores the speaker's deep desire to escape the confines of land and return to the open ocean. It delves into the allure of the sea, its freedom, and the sense of adventure it offers.
Here are some key elements that contribute to this central theme:
* The speaker's yearning: The poem is filled with expressions of longing for the sea, for example, "I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky" and "All I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by."
* The allure of the sea: Masefield describes the sea with vivid imagery, highlighting its vastness, mystery, and beauty. This creates a sense of wonder and excitement that draws the speaker towards it.
* The call to adventure: The poem emphasizes the freedom and adventure that the sea offers, contrasting it with the mundane life on land. The speaker's desire for a "tall ship and a star" reflects a yearning for a life of exploration and discovery.
While the poem doesn't explicitly describe the speaker's current situation, it implies a sense of confinement and dissatisfaction with life on land, fueling the longing for the sea.