What is the theme of the poem Tollund Man?

“The Tollund Man” is Irish poet Seamus Heaney’s reflection on human nature, religion, and the history of violence.

What type of poem is the Tollund Man?

‘The Tollund Man’ by Seamus Heaney was published in his collection Wintering Out. It is a three-part poem divided into a total of eleven stanzas, all of which contain four lines. Heaney did not choose to give this poem a specific rhyme scheme, but the lines are all of similar lengths.

Why is Tollund Man so important?

The Tollund Man is probably the most well-preserved body from pre-historic times in the world. The head was almost shockingly well-preserved. The eyes were closed and so was the mouth – the look on his face was calm and solemn as if he was just sleeping….

What is the Tollund Man in Springtime about?

Heaney reintroduces his iron-age hero, whose sacrificially murdered body had been miraculously preserved in a Jutland peat-bog since the 4th century BC, recovered in 1950 and exhibited in Silkeborg, Denmark.

How does the poet describe the punishment of the girl in the poem punishment?

She alone is punished for her sin, she became a scapegoat. The poet feels that the girl may have been in love with a British soldier. The poet makes it clear that she was killed on the charge of adultery, but this adultery for doing “love” is not a crime. In the poem, the poet claims to be in love with that girl.

How did the Tollund Man get his name?

P. V. Glob was consulted and he was probably the one who came up with the name Tollund Man. It was an obvious choice seeing that the two finders came from the small village of Tollund located close to the bog. The very next day they started preparing for the excavation of Tollund Man.

Why was the Tollund Man hanged?

Archaeologists generally agree that Tollund Man was a victim of human sacrifice, perhaps a ritual killing to ensure fertility, per Smithsonian.

Why does the poet feel guilty at the end of the poem Punishment?

Tenth Stanza This stanza is a critical part of the poem as the lyrical voice admits his/her feeling of guilt (“I who have stood dumb”). The lyrical voice feels guilty because he/she didn’t do anything and watched the girl being punished.

What does brain Firkin mean?

A firkin is a small cask with a specific measurement by volume for ale or beer. So the bog-girl being dup up has a brain that reminds the speaker of this wooden cask.

Why was Tollund Man hanged?