How does the reader know that her husband betrayed her in The Wife's Lament?

In "The Wife's Lament," the reader can infer that the wife has been betrayed by her husband through several clues in the text.

1. The wife's isolation: The poem begins with the wife in a state of extreme isolation, living under an oak tree in a desolate landscape. This suggests that she has been cast out or abandoned, which is a form of betrayal.

2. The wife's sorrow: The wife expresses deep sorrow and longing for her husband, indicating that she still loves him despite his betrayal. She speaks of her "woeful experiences" and "troubles," which suggest that she has been wronged.

3. The wife's references to her husband: The wife refers to her husband as her "lord" and says that they are "widely separated." She also says that he is "cheerful at heart," while she is in a state of misery. This contrast suggests that he has left her and is indifferent to her suffering, which is another form of betrayal.

4. The wife's references to her friends: The wife says that her friends are "in the earth," which suggests that they are dead. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for her husband's betrayal, as he was supposed to be her friend and protector but has instead left her alone and vulnerable.

5. The wife's curse: Towards the end of the poem, the wife pronounces a curse on her husband, wishing that he be as miserable as she is. This is a clear indication of her feelings of betrayal.

In conclusion, while the poem does not explicitly state that the husband betrayed the wife, the reader can infer this from the wife's isolation, sorrow, references to her husband and friends, and her curse.