Examples Of Unferth In Beowulf
In Beowulf, Unferth portrays a condescending, jealous man with an arrogant, self- righteous attitude. In other words Unferth believes no one in the kingdom qualifies to receive anymore glory or honor than he, himself has: “And sharp (vexed by Beowulf’s adventure,/ By their visitor’s courage, and angry that anyone/ In Denmark or anywhere on earth had ever/ Acquired glory and fame greater/ Than his own)” (Beowulf 235). Unferth continues to patronize Beowulf in a condescending manner.”You’re Beowulf, are you—the same/ Boastful fool who fought a swimming/ Match with Brecca” (Beowulf 240). As the conversation between the two progresses, Unferth states “You’ve been lucky in your battles, Beowulf, but I think/ Your luck may change if you challenge Grendel” (Beowulf 258). In the novel, the author places Unferth only briefly in the story, however the reader manages to make assumptions as to what character Unferth truly is, an arrogant self righteous man. In Grendel, Unferth characterizes a snivelling, cowardly, bitter man driven by the idea of heroism. In the beginning, as Grendel introduces Unferth, he demonstrates the actions of a child getting angry at Grendel for not killing him. The novel states “he lives on
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bitter, feebly, challenging my midnight raids from time to time, crazy with shame that he is always spared, and furiously jealous of the dead” (Gardener 90).
Unferth is so concerned with the idea of heroism he goes to extreme measures to obtain it any way he can : “You think I came without a hope of winning-- came to escape indignity by suicide!
I didn’t know how deep the pool was. I had a chance. I knew I had no more than that. It’s all a hero asks for” (Gardener 89). Unferth talks with Beowulf towards the end, although it does not work out for Unferth the way he hopes “He took a deep breath. He would try to be a better person, yes. He forced a smile, but it was twisted out of his control. Tears! He got up suddenly and, without a word, walked out” (Gardner 164). In Grendel, John Gardner weaves Unferth throughout the novel a great deal more the reader manages see just how cowardly and driven by the idea of
heroism.
bitter, feebly, challenging my midnight raids from time to time, crazy with shame that he is always spared, and furiously jealous of the dead” (Gardener 90).
Unferth is so concerned with the idea of heroism he goes to extreme measures to obtain it any way he can : “You think I came without a hope of winning-- came to escape indignity by suicide!
I didn’t know how deep the pool was. I had a chance. I knew I had no more than that. It’s all a hero asks for” (Gardener 89). Unferth talks with Beowulf towards the end, although it does not work out for Unferth the way he hopes “He took a deep breath. He would try to be a better person, yes. He forced a smile, but it was twisted out of his control. Tears! He got up suddenly and, without a word, walked out” (Gardner 164). In Grendel, John Gardner weaves Unferth throughout the novel a great deal more the reader manages see just how cowardly and driven by the idea of
heroism.