Final answer:
Sailors historically returned to the sea for a variety of reasons including adventure, wealth, and the intrinsic pull of destiny as sailors. The thrill of discovery and the alluring unknown often outweighed the dangers of the ocean.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question regarding why the seafarer returns to the ocean time after time reflects a complex mix of motivational factors. Historically, motivations to venture onto uncharted seas included the thrill of adventure, the promise of wealth and treasures, and the yearning for glory and discovery. This was evident in the motivations of explorers like Columbus, who set sail partly due to the inspiration from the fantastical tales of Marco Polo, as well as prisoners who preferred the risk of the unknown over life in a dungeon.
Furthermore, the poetry line 'I must go down to the sea again to the lonely sea and sky' captures this intrinsic call of destiny and the allure of the ocean depths. It suggests a deeper, perhaps spiritual or personal, pull to the sea—beyond just material gain or escapism. This sentiment aligns with the reality that many sailors felt a sense of destiny as sailors, drawn to the sea out of a passion for navigation, exploration, and the unique freedom found in the vast openness of the ocean.