How does unferth challenge Beowulf?

How does unferth challenge Beowulf?

When Beowulf arrives at Heorot Hall, Unferth challenges him by telling the story of a swimming contest that Beowulf once lost to a man named Breka. However, Beowulf says that he only lost because he had to fight nine sea monsters after five days in icy water.

Who is unferth Why does he challenge Beowulf?

Unferth challenges Beowulf because of Beowulf’s boasts about his abilities as a warrior. Unferth boasts, too, as is common behavior for men in the Old…

Why does unferth believe that Beowulf Cannot defeat Grendel?

What does Unferth say about Beowulf’s chances to defeat Grendel? He doesn’t believe that he will be able to kill him. He says that no one has ever lasted a night with Grendel. He thinks that Beowulf will die.

How does Unferth’s challenge build suspense in the story?

How does Unferth’s challenge build suspense? It build suspense by raising the question in the reader’s mind about Beowulf’s ability to defeat Grendel.

What does the challenge tell the reader about unferth?

Unferth’s challenge to Beowulf’s honor differentiates him from Beowulf and helps to reveal some of the subtleties of the heroic code that the warriors must follow. Unferth is presented as a lesser man, a foil for the near-perfect Beowulf.

What is the purpose of Hrothgar’s promise to Beowulf What does Hrothgar’s speech tell us about him?

King Hrothgar foreshadows Beowulf`s death. Beowulf and Hrothgar share many qualities, but Hrothgar’s speech in the Hall of Heorot warns him of his excessive pride, called hubris, which Hrothgar recognizes as Beowulf`s fatal flaw.

Who does unferth kill?

Hrothgar

What happens to Beowulf after the fight with Grendel’s mother?

Beowulf strikes Grendel’s mother with the sword slicing her in two and splitting her collarbones. After the attack, a light illuminates the cave, “just as from the sky heaven’s candle shines clear.” (Norton 47) Beowulf notices Grendel’s body and he instantaneously cuts off the monster’s head to present it to Hrothgar.

What stops Grendel’s mother’s blade from killing Beowulf?

Beowulf sees Grendel’s mother in a cave. He tries to hit her with his sword, Unferth’s Hrunting, but it fails to pierce her skin. So he throws the sword away and attacks the mother with his bare hands. She tries to kill him with a dagger, but Beowulf’s armor protects him this time.

What happens to the sword that Beowulf uses to kill Grendel’s mother?

Although his sword, Hrunting, loaned to him by Unferth, fails to penetrate the mother’s hide, Beowulf discovers a giant magic sword in the cave and is able to kill the mother with it. The sword melts to its hilt after Beowulf uses it to decapitate the corpse of Grendel, which lies nearby.