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In his journeys, the speaker in "The Wanderer" learned many lessons. He talks about one of the lessons in lines 12–13, when he says I know it truly / that it is in men a noble custom That one should keep secure / his spirit chest (mind) Why does the speaker believe this, and how has this belief shaped his actions? Answer these questions in a one- to two-paragraph written response. Be sure to support your ideas with evidence from the poem.

User Prgmtc
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Answer:

'The Wanderer' is a popular and widely critiqued Anglo-Saxon poem due to its multiple and often conflicting opinions. The speaker unveils the elegy as his grief due to the loss of his lord that eventually leads him to the hunt of wisdom which implies a lesson. Throughout his journey, the wanderer learns many lessons and this excerpt displays that the speaker learned to share their thoughts to only people whom they could rely upon('keep secure/ his spirit chest(mind')') and instructs the same to the readers. He suggests that a warrior must keep his thoughts bound in order to preserve it('guard his wealth-chamber,'). The reason behind this action could be that he is so deeply engrossed in sorrow, that he has no courage left to share his thoughts to unreliable people('Weary mind never withstands fate,') and this helps him develop the 'truth' and gain 'wisdom'('glory-seekers, oft bind fast').

User Harry F
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