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John Gardner introduces the reader of Grendel to an intimate side of Unferth unseen in the epic poem Beowulf. In Grendel we behold what a pathetic, sniveling wimp Unferth has become. In Beowulf all that we see is a jealous bastard. Why did Gardner make the character of Unferth so different from the original depiction? He didn't. The only change in Unferth from Beowulf to Grendel is his realistic characterization in Grendel.



After the drunken Danes give Beowulf his warm welcome, Unferth unleashes his anger in an attack on Beowulf. This petty proclamation which points out Beowulf's not- so triumphant swimming contest with Brecca, shows the reader (or listener) that Unferth is nothing more than a spineless bastard. In Grendel we find that Unferth's bitterness is well founded. John Gardner shows Unferth as the most pathetic man to ever call himself a hero. Unferth is degraded once in the apple battle (he was beat by flying fruit for god's sake!!!) and then again in the cave. In......

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Approximate Pages: 2 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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