Natalie Matos
Mr. Pollock
CP English
25 September 2014
Beowulf Essay Fame and reputation were both very important in Beowulf. Both fame and reputation were shown in the epic poem several times. One way this was shown was through the argument between Unferth and Beowulf. The next way was by Beowulf bragging about everything he has accomplished throughout his life. A final way that both fame and reputation were shown was in the way Beowulf was laid to rest, what he did before laid to rest, and where he was laid to rest. In Unferth’s Challenge lines 239 through 260, Unferth starts off talking about Beowulf. Unferth is stating things that people know Beowulf for. To Unferth, Beowulf has a good reputation for stupid things he has done. Unferth calls Beowulf a “boastful fool who fought a swimming match with Brecca…” In the opinion of Unferth, Beowulf is stupid for the things he has done. He thinks that Beowulf has risked his life for no reason, which he has but that to Beowulf is an accomplishment. Unferth states Beowulf’s reason for fame. …show more content…
I swam in the blackness of night, hunting monsters out of the ocean, and killing them one by one; death was my errand and the fate they had earned.” (The Arrival of the Hero lines 153-159) This paragraph is a very good example of Beowulf showing his pride in the things he has done. Beowulf wants to have a reputation of the toughest warrior that did all these things. By saying this Beowulf is telling all his greatest accomplishments that he is very proud of. Saying he drove five giants into chains tells everyone how strong he is. Swimming through the blackness of night proves his fearlessness. Beowulf brags about all of his
Mr. Pollock
CP English
25 September 2014
Beowulf Essay Fame and reputation were both very important in Beowulf. Both fame and reputation were shown in the epic poem several times. One way this was shown was through the argument between Unferth and Beowulf. The next way was by Beowulf bragging about everything he has accomplished throughout his life. A final way that both fame and reputation were shown was in the way Beowulf was laid to rest, what he did before laid to rest, and where he was laid to rest. In Unferth’s Challenge lines 239 through 260, Unferth starts off talking about Beowulf. Unferth is stating things that people know Beowulf for. To Unferth, Beowulf has a good reputation for stupid things he has done. Unferth calls Beowulf a “boastful fool who fought a swimming match with Brecca…” In the opinion of Unferth, Beowulf is stupid for the things he has done. He thinks that Beowulf has risked his life for no reason, which he has but that to Beowulf is an accomplishment. Unferth states Beowulf’s reason for fame. …show more content…
I swam in the blackness of night, hunting monsters out of the ocean, and killing them one by one; death was my errand and the fate they had earned.” (The Arrival of the Hero lines 153-159) This paragraph is a very good example of Beowulf showing his pride in the things he has done. Beowulf wants to have a reputation of the toughest warrior that did all these things. By saying this Beowulf is telling all his greatest accomplishments that he is very proud of. Saying he drove five giants into chains tells everyone how strong he is. Swimming through the blackness of night proves his fearlessness. Beowulf brags about all of his