Beowulf Unferth - Free Essay Examples and Research Papers.
How does the landscape of the poem (the fens, marches, meres, etc.) contribute to the style and tone? How does Beowulf’s landscape compare to Heaney’s own in Ireland (or the representation he gives us in his poetry)? Does Beowulf glorify violence? Discuss why or why not. How is the wording of line 975 representative of Heaney’s style?
Unferth's challenge to Beowulf—implying that Beowulf has been defeated by his friend Breca—is important because it allows Beowulf to establish his credentials by telling his side of the Breca.
Swimming Contest with Breca. voice came from the mead-benches. Unferth, son of Eglaf, spoke. Unferth was a well-known warrior, an important man among the Danes. He could not bear to think that anyone was braver or could do more famous deeds than he. 'Aren't you the Beowulf who had the swimming contest with Breca?' Unferth asked.
Lines 590-594: Beowulf insults Unferth, who claims to be a heroic character, for not doing battle with Grendel. Being heroic and courageous is very important to the story of Beowulf. Often, for undaunted courage, fate spares the man it has not already marked.
Why does Unferth bring up Beowulf’s swimming match with Brecca? How does Beowulf respond? To undermine Beowulf because he is jealous that somebody is better than him; you are drunk and that he is still the best because he did it when he was young and foolish.
Unferth's slur accuses Beowulf of foolishly engaging in a seven-day swimming contest on the open sea, as a youth, and losing. If Beowulf can't win a match like that, Unferth asserts, he surely can't defeat Grendel. Beowulf defends his reputation with such grace and persuasion that he wins the confidence of King Hrothgar and the rest of the Danes.
Wiglaf vs. Unferth in Beowulf In the heroic poem Beowulf, not only does Wiglaf demonstrate the importance of heroism to society and the necessity of loyalty to one’s kinsman and lord, but he also sets the context of the final part of the poem. Unferth, on the other hand, presents a rude challenge.