The Husband's Message and The Wife's Lament Analysis: Love and Separation

The Old English Poems The Husband's Message and The Wife's Lament have come from what is called the Exeter Book, a collection of Anglo Saxon poems collected around the first part of 100 AD by monks. There is an argument if the Riddle 60 is its own poem or related to The Husband’s message as they have similarities about writing on wood. The first part of The Husband’s message has been lost to time, and therefore the speculation that Riddle 60 is the true preamble. Both poems talk about a tree or wood conveying a message between two people. It most likely is a secret code, as only the two intended are supposed to understand the conversation. This theory of secrets might be contradicted by The Husband’s message where it has been delivered by a messenger, depending on how personified one interprets the wood in that poem. A person could have read to the wife or simply delivered the wood that holds the writing.

The Husband wants to know if the wife has been loyal to him, as he is to her. He continually reminds her of the many oaths they made to bind them in love. He insists that everything would be normal for them if he wasn’t exiled because of a feud with powerful people. He calls her “The bracelet-adorned one,” to bring to mind a physical representation of the love vows. This is probably similar to a wedding ring that is used for the same, although far more official, purpose. Those who wear a ring are promised exclusively to love one individual. Of course, that doesn’t mean the relationships remain strong or permanent. He goes further by setting up a kind of long term test, almost begging her to travel when the cuckoo bird signals the season to go by sea. He wants her to leave the safety of shore and find him on a trip in the open waters. It is the ultimate test to determine if the love of his life is still true to him.

After all he has done, there is no reason for her to doubt the love he holds for her after all these years. That is, if what the message says can be believed. There are a few hints that his own loyalty and love for her is in doubt. Nothing of personal property, other than the wood message, has been sent to her as a token of continued love. Perhaps he thought sending anything of value would get lost or stolen after a long voyage. He claims the reason to send for her after all this time is how rich he has become. They can now as a couple do anything together, including buy off friends and loyal supporters. He tells her that, even with all the wealth amassed after all these years by fighting his enemies and winning, that riches don’t matter, He says only her love and loyalty, matched by his own for her, are what matters. Perhaps it was not safe for him to send for her before, but he could have asked her to travel much sooner if the love was that strong. Even the message bearer hints at the questionable nature of his reason to send for her with the words “he instructs me to say,” how much he wants and loves her. Obviously the husband instructs the messenger to say a lot of things, but that moment of most emotional pleading is what stands out as needing instructed. He ends in an oath using a code of letters to once again provide evidence his love was never broken. Yet, the husband left his wife behind and didn’t seek her for long enough that he created a new life. Perhaps his loneliness or a marriage requisite for greater power is what drives him to send for her over what has to be treacherous waters for uncertain love.

The place of The Wife’s Lament in the Exeter Book gives no hint any real relationship between the two poems exist, but many critics do see familiarity between them. They both talk about a husband that leaves a wife for distant lands, and the impact it has on the relationship. There are strong differences, but mostly because of the point of view. The husbands was him having left the wife alone. The wife is the one who was left behind to fend for herself. From the start of the wife’s poem, “Sorrowfully I sing the song of woe,” there is a different mood and set of emotions from the other one. She isn’t begging for his return, giving in to the fact he has left her for good. There is no hope of reuniting.

She too is in exile, the same as her husband. The difference is her exile is not just geographical, but social and emotional. His leaving was not an adventure and treasure seeking outcome for her, but isolation and perhaps doom. She is stuck in a land, by the husband’s command, where she has very few family and friends. Worse yet, his own family members are not happy about the union. They seek to split them apart as a couple, and more than likely succeeding.

Here is where the ambiguity of her condition really shows up, because her exile might be more than based on where she lives. She could even be a ghost, having been murdered. The love of the husband is more specifically, instead of hinted at like the other poem, pointed out to have been lost. At first the love was promised that it would never be broken “nothing less end our love,” than death. That didn’t turn out that way as “Alas all is changed.” Later on in the poem we learn that her relationship to the husband is as if it never existed. He is described as angry and filled with murderous thoughts. Did he kill her in the end and force her to wander the world? She is living in a cave to look out into the world of the living, only to ponder under a tree. Perhaps under a tree is where her body has been hastily buried, leaving her with no true home. Caves have also since ancient times been considered the entrance to the afterlife where the dead go for final rest. But the murdered cannot rest, and the wife states she wanders the world looking for her love, then always return to the tree and the cave.

Where the husband’s message ends with an oath to demonstrate loyalty, the wife’s lament ends in a curse. She wants him to remember her for his whole life. It doesn’t matter if his behavior is careless about her departure and separation. She wants him to wander the world alone and never be happy. He can remember when life was much better, but cannot have that same peace ever again. She wants him to wander the earth, feel sorrow, remember better times, and have loneliness the same as herself. Assuming she has been murdered and is dead, her cures could imply wanting him dead in the same manner.

Long distance relationships are hard to maintain even in the modern era. Imagine what it would be like when it took months or years to travel from one place to another.  For most people they lived and died within a few hundred miles distance, leaving for longer trips only as soldiers or by command of a Lordship. What these poems reflect is the burden of love, or the loss of it, when the couple cannot be together for any reasons. The saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder” is refuted by writers of these two poems. When two people are away from each other, and the longer they are gone, the harder it is to maintain emotional bonds. Modern technology helps bridge that gap to a degree.

Comment if you believe the wife was murdered, or is that too literal a reading?

Did the husband’s message have any truth that he still loved and was loyal to the woman he left behind?

Is it easier to have long distance relationships in the modern world?

A Science Fiction Book to Read

The publishing world can be hard, and most people today go with self-publishing their work. The following book "Icarus Falling" followed that path. From the blog site Parking Orbit Publishing, here are few statements about the process:

This last week the book proof for Icarus Falling  arrived for preview. . . Most of the edits are word choices, grammar errors, and missed paragraph indention. After the book proof has been read and adjusted then a more solid date of publication can be announced. 

 Layout is complete and with final editing still to be done.

After the book proof has been read and adjusted then a more solid date of publication can be announced. 

Because of unforeseen circumstances the release date has been temporarily postponed. This is to give a chance to improve on the customer satisfaction in the ordering processes. Changes will include how the product can be obtained, an easier check out process, and improvement to the text for an even better reading experience. An online book trailer and added online content is also in the works.

Icarus Falling was prepared almost entirely with open source software. . . Open Office . . . Scribus  . . . Gimp . . . Inkscape . . .  PDF Shuffler . . . In any event Amazon makes the process look very simple and it isn't really. At least if you want something that looks good and is easy to read.

 Of Course, that last statement is where NDM Writing Service can come in to help with the publishing process. Having already had experience getting a book ready for publication, it is a job that we can do for those needing the help.

You can also order the book at the Parking Orbit Publishing website or click the book cover to order directly at Amazon.



A simple video Youtube trailer was made for the book's release, but it is dated. Another one was created to update the feel and the acceptable quality:

Keep watching the skies! Don't forget to ask for NDM Writing Service for help with your writing and editing needs.

Online Reading and Comprehension Series

A new online learning series by NDM Writingservice is now available to follow. Enjoy the readings of classic English-language literature, and then listen to brief analysis. Each era and period of the literature will be explored over time, so make sure not to miss any installments.

Here are links to the first vidoes:

How to Write a Youtube Script

Just like mentioned in the last post, very few are successful by looking into a camera and becoming Youtube famous. It takes careful and deliberate work with some planning. After deciding what topic to cover (and there should be a focus), the next step is writing a script. Both stories and documentaries require writing down what words will be used to convey a message. Despite what might be believed, even "reality shows" are carefully crafted for maximum entertainment possibility. At the least there should be an outline to shape what goes into a video.

There might be a question of why a script needs to be written instead of staring into a camera and saying what is on your mind. It is assumed all this will be edited, cut down, clips added, and all will be fine. For a daily life "vlog" this might be acceptable, but it is also time consuming. Putting down what will be said saves a lot of time in the post-production stage. Why go through hours of tape when less can mean more time for other final touches? Having pre-made scripts can also sharpen the message by thinking about what is really essential. It smooths the edges, streamlines the presentation, and shapes into a story structure.

Start by making an outline of the topic or write down some questions that will be answered. At this point you are trying to create a focus. What exactly do you want to talk about? How are you going to present the information on video to the desired audience? How much do you actually know or might need to research some more? It is better to have everything mapped out rather than discover serious problems later. Casual video making is the only exception to this step. A serious Youtuber will not allow chance and hope for the best.

There are at least four parts to a good video script, similar to the five part paragraph taught in school when writing papers:

The Hook: This is where you attract attention and get people watching. It might start with bringing up a question needing an answer. There might be a shocking or startling revelation about you or your topic. A joke gets laughs that make a positive connection. Be sure the hook is equal to the whole presentation or the audience might feel cheated.

The Introduction: Some Youtubers have one and others don't, but if chosen it acts as a type of branding. Use it to tell your name, the company affiliation, the general channel topic, and any call to action such as subscribe. Most importantly is to keep it short. Even a majority of modern television shows barely use this anymore.

Body: Here is where the meat of the video comes in, of course. Take the outline or list of questions and expand on them. Keep the words at a minimum, saying only what is needed to avoid boring the viewers with rambling. Don't forget this is a visual medium. Storyboard what will be seen and edited in with or without using pictures. Think of it as a play with stage directions; something like exists and entrances, and scene changes.

Finale: This is the wrap up. Give final thoughts. Remind the viewers of the main points. Have a "call to action" inviting the audience to do something: subscribe, buy, comment below, etc. For an ongoing series, tease the next video by explaining what to expect.

Once finished, put the words in a teleprompter format to read off  into the camera. Maintain a consistent voice throughout the whole script. A serious topic might require maturity, but that is not a requirement. The script, however, should not sound serious one half and filled with jokes during other parts. Remain true to the created persona. Whatever choices are made, be conversational. Viewers want to feel that the video presentation is talking directly to them. The more that is accomplished in the script, the better a response by those watching.

As a reminder, NDM Writing Service can help polish the script before recording the video. Please leave a request if needing help.

Youtube Channel Startup

The idea of starting a Youtube channel seems so easy in theory. All you need is a computer, a camera, and microphone. Turn them on, look forward and talk. All your thoughts will be presented in video form for the whole world to watch and be inspired. It can be that simple, but doesn't mean an audience will automatically form. A good Youtube channel takes time to grow and develop a following. For all those with a million views, there are a million other people who get anywhere from 100 to a few thousand on good days. According to some experts (and many will claim that title) there are ways to become successful.

Probably the number one suggestion they all can agree on is don't hesitate, just start. Almost all of the big names didn't know exactly what they were doing. They wanted to record themselves and place online for everyone to watch. Many look back at their first recordings and laugh at the embarrassing first efforts. What none of them do is wish they never tried. Take their mistakes and learn a few lessons. Be inspired by where the biggest Youtube stars are today. Be careful not to try and copy what many popular Youtubers are doing without finding a personal touch.

Becoming a Youtube sensation takes more than making a recording and slapping on the Internet for viewership. That is a sure recipe for disaster and limited interest for viewers. Casual research might make it seem that is what everyone is doing, but it isn't true. No matter what magnetic personality comes out when pressing record, there needs to be purpose. All the slick, professional, popular, and viral channels have a particular focus that relates to every created video. Some of the most common subjects are fashion, food, travel, and reviews of products. The voice can be serious to comedy, and anywhere in between.

Think small before hitting big. People are not going to suddenly drop by and subscribe. It takes work forming connections and building up a community. Go to other similar channels and write comments that engage the topics. Pick only a few large Youtubers because hundreds or thousands of other will be trying to get attention. A large portion of interactions should be a number of smaller and relatively unknown personalities. They might return the favor (but never ask to return the favor) by visiting your channel videos. Starting at rock bottom might require asking friends, family, and those from other social media platforms to watch what you have recorded. One of the biggest Youtube sensations, Rhett and Link, failed multiple times until Good Mythical Morning became a hit. The dub-step dancing violin artist Lindsey Stirling lost a nationally broadcast competition in humiliation. the self-made Crystallize video made her a huge star. Failure is part of the equation toward success.

Make sure your productions are consistently made and the channel maintained. Upload once a week at the least, and on a specific time table. Twice a week is common and once a day is best if there is enough to show and say. The more videos made, the greater chances people will find the content. Of course, the content needs to be interesting or it could be viewed and then forgotten. Algorithms count views if a person remains watching for at least three minutes, so it is best to have five to fifteen minutes for each video presentation. Any content on the channel should be named according to top search items when looking for similar topics. Don't forget to add as many labels for search engines as possible with related subjects. Most of all, don't worry about how well they actually do because the best videos are done with passion and fun.

Photo by Gianandrea Villa on Unsplash