I am no longer the Dane’s strongest warrior because Beowulf has come to town to prove himself better. For years I was the man that was called upon in times of danger or havoc. I also have this evil demeanor about myself that doesn’t seem to care for him or anything else. And in my opinion how can a man just come to my country and be so confident that he will take care of my unfinished business. Beowulf speaks to me, as I am wimp that hasn’t accomplished anything when he says, “if you were truly keen or courageous as you claim to be Grendel would never have got away with such unchecked atrocity, attacks on your king, havoc in Heorot and horrors everywhere” (41). I assume that I am so jealous that my role as been replaced by the ever so strong, unstoppable, and Godlike person known as Beowulf. Beowulf finds himself to be a little too confident for my liking as he tells me “but he [Grendel] will find me different” (41). Ever since he arrived I refuse to treat him with the respect and honor like the rest of my people seem so foresee in him.
I tried to worn Beowulf of the almighty Grendel that he was the evil monster that murdered many Danish people, but he was not concerned. Beowulf did the unthinkable and defeated the evil monster with his bare hands! Beowulf received so many gifts from Hrothgar and was truly taken in by the Danish community. I really thought I would never see him again, as he would die in battle. I just couldn’t wait for my opportunity to laugh at the mistake Hrothgar had made bringing in Beowulf. But he proved me wrong and I was in shock of the feat that he had conquered. I was left embarrassed, as I was never going to be the man I once was. Beowulf was right when he told me that my only fame lies in the fact that I had killed my brothers. I am the forgotten soul within this community as Beowulf has taken all my pride.
Even though I hate to say it, but I feel as if I have come to terms with reality and have finally seen that I was not thinking clearly before. I am not able to fight as well I allege that King Hrothgar might not of had a problem with Grendel if I were able to back my talking up. I now realize that I am in no ways able to compete with the all so powerful Beowulf. Beowulf was once again called upon to defeat Grendel’s mother. So I decided to lend him my ancient sword name Hrunting. At this point in time I realized “I lost my fame and repute” (103). I finally had given up my reputation to the man I couldn’t be and I knew that he could fight and hold his own.
I feel as though I should help this man taking on yet another such feat. Hrunting has never came across anything that it cannot destroy. Beowulf is defiantly in good hands with the “sharp-hone, wave-sheened wonderblade” (103). Beowulf dove into the depths of the water and took out Grendel’s mother and resurfaced through the bloody waters of hell and yet to prove a victor again. With Grendel’s head and sword in hand Beowulf appeared to be the Godlike man that Hrothgar had called upon. I do not feel that I have turned into a true fan of Beowulf, but I am able to see a new look upon myself that may help me for the better. I may have shied a little away from my evil demeanor, which will allow me to embrace Beowulf as a fellow companion.
Unferth
I thought you did a good job of recounting the events that took place in Beowulf from the perspective of Unferth. I did think it was a little didactic however, but that seems to be an unavoidable aspect of the assignment. I also thought you used quotes from the text well; they didn’t seem forced in anyway. One thing I would say that you could improve is delving deeper into Unferth’s psyche. A deeper analysis of Unferth’s jealousy towards Beowulf’s heroism in the earlier scenes would have expanded the reader’s knowledge of the play and mindsets in ancient Anglo-Saxon society. You could have also explained how Unferth’s attitude changed after Beowulf defeated Grendel for the same reason.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything that Joe says (although I don't agree that this assignment *requires* someone to be didactic, it does leave the doorway open).
ReplyDeleteTo expand on his points - the "deeper analysis of Unferth's jealousy" or "psyche" is the notable absence here. You use your citations well, but toward what end? You don't seem to go much beyond summarizing what happens and what was said about these events in class. What is *adding* to the discussion here (other than the fact that you're using quotes well, which is very good).
I think a big problem here is actually your style. Each paragraph reads as if it was written at a different time - so you describe U. at one moment, then at another moment, then at another. There is no real reflective voice here - an Unferth who looks back after the fact (maybe after Beowulf is gone - or maybe after Heorot has been destroyed from within?) and meditates on the *sequence* of his actions.
What's absent here is depth - the most obvious place to look for that is in an overall voice or analysis, which your style almost precluded you from doing.
Also, your proofreading was terrible. Do better next time!