Each individual provide written answer to question.
Tessa, Adam--Why does Unferth criticize Beowulf at their first meeting? What explains his change of heart towards Beowulf?
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Unferth is seen as a man that has a lower social status than Beowulf. He is a foil for the almost perfect hero. When Unferth shows bitterness of Beowulf's story of his swimming match with Breca, this proves his jealousy of the attention that Beowulf is recieving. He calls Beowulf a "boastful fool" on line 507. Unferth is convinced that Beowulf has only been lucky in the past, but that his luck will change. he is also humiliated at being unable to protect Herot himself and that he won't be the great warrior of which legend will recall. Once Unferth gives hrunting to Beowulf before the battle with Grendel's mother, his hospitality is healed. He "asked him to accept" the sword in line 1807. He is not only asking for Beowulf's acceptance of the weapon, but also for him to accept his apology. Unferth realizes that he is afraid to fight the monster himself, unlike Beowulf, and begins to respect Beowulf for his heroism in Herot. --Tessa
Unferth first criticizes Beowulf at the opening celebration in Herot. He challenges Beowulf’s reputation out of extreme jealousy. When Beowulf was young, he engaged in a swimming match against Brecca that almost took his life. Unferth asserts that Beowulf was vain and foolish to enter such a dangerous challenge and questions his wisdom. Then he brings up the fact that Beowulf even lost to Brecca. Unferth concludes that if Beowulf could not win a swimming match, he is surely no match for the great Grendel: “You’ve been lucky in your battles, Beowulf, but I think your luck may change if you challenge Grendel” (524-26).
Beowulf returns the argument to Unferth, describing his swimming match where he and Brecca were separated out at sea and how he had to kill nine sea monsters to return to Geatland. Also Beowulf questions Unferth’s strength by asking him why he has not attempted to take out Grendel: “if your hands were as hard, your heart as fierce as you think it, no fool would dare to raid you hall, ruin Herot and oppress its prince, as Grendel has done” (591-94). Finally, Beowulf’s last point describes how Unferth is not as equal of a man as he. Unferth is condemned to hell for killing his own brothers, as Cain was in the Bible.
Unferth had a change of heart and attitude towards Beowulf once Beowulf defeats Grendel with such ease. After such a great battle, no one questions Beowulf’s strength and confidence. Unferth eventually plays a key role in a future battle, where he lends Beowulf his trusty sword, Hrunting, against Grenma.
The author of Beowulf includes the character of Unferth to act as another “bump in the road” for Beowulf. Beowulf’s argument with Unferth proves his confidence within himself and his ability to reason. Beowulf proves himself many times throughout the book of his ability to eventually become a successful and feared king. --Adam
2 comments:
Unferth is seen as a man that has a lower social status than Beowulf. He is a foil for the almost perfect hero. When Unferth shows bitterness of Beowulf's story of his swimming match with Breca, this proves his jealousy of the attention that Beowulf is recieving. He calls Beowulf a "boastful fool" on line 507. Unferth is convinced that Beowulf has only been lucky in the past, but that his luck will change. he is also humiliated at being unable to protect Herot himself and that he won't be the great warrior of which legend will recall. Once Unferth gives hrunting to Beowulf before the battle with Grendel's mother, his hospitality is healed. He "asked him to accept" the sword in line 1807. He is not only asking for Beowulf's acceptance of the weapon, but also for him to accept his apology. Unferth realizes that he is afraid to fight the monster himself, unlike Beowulf, and begins to respect Beowulf for his heroism in Herot. --Tessa
Unferth first criticizes Beowulf at the opening celebration in Herot. He challenges Beowulf’s reputation out of extreme jealousy. When Beowulf was young, he engaged in a swimming match against Brecca that almost took his life. Unferth asserts that Beowulf was vain and foolish to enter such a dangerous challenge and questions his wisdom. Then he brings up the fact that Beowulf even lost to Brecca. Unferth concludes that if Beowulf could not win a swimming match, he is surely no match for the great Grendel: “You’ve been lucky in your battles, Beowulf, but I think your luck may change if you challenge Grendel” (524-26).
Beowulf returns the argument to Unferth, describing his swimming match where he and Brecca were separated out at sea and how he had to kill nine sea monsters to return to Geatland. Also Beowulf questions Unferth’s strength by asking him why he has not attempted to take out Grendel: “if your hands were as hard, your heart as fierce as you think it, no fool would dare to raid you hall, ruin Herot and oppress its prince, as Grendel has done” (591-94). Finally, Beowulf’s last point describes how Unferth is not as equal of a man as he. Unferth is condemned to hell for killing his own brothers, as Cain was in the Bible.
Unferth had a change of heart and attitude towards Beowulf once Beowulf defeats Grendel with such ease. After such a great battle, no one questions Beowulf’s strength and confidence. Unferth eventually plays a key role in a future battle, where he lends Beowulf his trusty sword, Hrunting, against Grenma.
The author of Beowulf includes the character of Unferth to act as another “bump in the road” for Beowulf. Beowulf’s argument with Unferth proves his confidence within himself and his ability to reason. Beowulf proves himself many times throughout the book of his ability to eventually become a successful and feared king. --Adam
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