How does the author use alliteration in seafarer?

The author of the *Seafarer*, a poem written in Old English, does use alliteration, but not in the way we might expect in modern poetry. While it's true the poem has many examples of alliteration, it's important to remember that the poet uses it not for artistic flourish, but as a key part of the Old English language.

In Old English, alliteration was a crucial element of poetic structure. It functioned as a mnemonic device, helping audiences remember the lines, and it contributed to the rhythm and flow of the poem.

Here are some ways alliteration functions in the *Seafarer*:

* Emphasis: Alliteration highlights important words and phrases. For example, "sea swift swimming" (line 1) emphasizes the sea's power and speed.

* Connecting ideas: It can link together words or phrases that are thematically related. For example, "bitter burst broken" (line 7) connects the harshness of the journey with the physical and emotional strain it causes.

* Creating atmosphere: It can evoke a sense of dread, solitude, or even beauty. For example, "frost fallen fair" (line 25) evokes the cold, icy landscape, while "summer sun sleep" (line 44) suggests a peaceful, warm moment.

To understand how alliteration truly works in the *Seafarer*, it's essential to look beyond the individual words. You need to examine how it shapes the entire poem, contributing to its rhythm, memorability, and meaning.

Here are some examples of alliteration in the *Seafarer*:

* "sea swift swimming" (line 1)

* "bitter burst broken" (line 7)

* "frost fallen fair" (line 25)

* "summer sun sleep" (line 44)

* "winter worms waste" (line 47)

By examining how alliteration is used in the *Seafarer*, we can better understand the poem's structure, themes, and the poet's intended effect.