Essay - Literature Beowulf - the Jealous Challenge the Purpose of This...

Literature

***** - The Jealous Challenge

The purpose of this paper is to introduce, d*****cuss, and analyze the epic poem "Beowulf" written by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet. Specifically it will discuss Unferth's challenge to Beowulf in ***** land of the Danes and what it means to ***** s*****ry. ***** challenge indicates that he is jealous of Beowulf, ***** cannot stand to see anyone else get attention and support from h***** people. However, his behavior later on shows ***** he is a coward and not as brave as Beowulf, and so, he has reas***** to be jealous.

Beowulf and h***** men enter the l***** ***** ***** Danes, and find themselves welcome, until they meet Unferth, a jealous and manipulative man who taunts Beowulf and questions his **********. He says, "Are you that ***** ***** w*****h Breca strove in swimming on the open sea, when you two for pride tested the tide and for a rash boast risked both *****r lives in deep waters?" (B,54). This shows that ***** is filled with h***** own importance, and yet, he ***** done *****h*****g to fight Grendel and his mother, which shows ***** inside, Unferth is a ***** *****nd a ***** coward at that. Beowulf shows t***** when he says ***** *****, "I've no***** learned of any such contests of skill or combats like t*****se on your part. Neither you nor Breca has yet played in such battle-sport, per*****med such a bold *****nd fearless deed ***** bright swords" (B,56-57). ***** indicates again that Unferth can talk about it and ***** others to fight *****, but he avoids it himself, making him look like a cowardly fool.

*****, Unferth again shows he is afraid to fight Grendel himself when he lends ***** his sword to ***** the monster. The poet writes, "Not the least of mighty aids was lent to him in his need by Hrothgar's thyle, [Unferth] the long-hilted ***** called Hrunting, outstanding among ancient treasures" (B.87). Thus, ***** shows his cowardice when, instead of joining Beowulf or fighting the monster on ***** *****, he merely hands over his sword ***** anot*****r man to fight the ***** and save the people. Unferth is all talk and no action, showing him to be a bo*****stful coward with little real backbone or courage.

These events help show Beowulf for the great hero he *****. He is ********** ***** ***** battle Grendel and his mother; in fact, he seems to welcome t***** challenge. T***** is important ***** the story because it helps back up the poet's tales ***** bravery and courage, and ***** show that Beowulf is in***** an epic hero. A hero has to be brave ***** battle, ***** understanding off the battlefield, and ***** is both. He is not afraid to rise to Unferth's challenge ***** he is sure of himself, and th***** is a characteristic ***** a hero ********** well.

This challenge al***** helps the reader understand the characters even more. Beowulf shows not only that he is **********, ***** ********** that he ***** argue