Figurative Language In Unferth's Challenge

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The author’s purpose of Unferth’s Challenge is to prove to the people of Herot Hall that Beowulf isn’t the hero they think he is. The author of Unferth’s Challenge uses figurative language to express his purpose. Using Foreshadowing, Personification and Metaphors to expand the meaning of what he is trying to say. When Beowulf arrives at Herot Hall he is greeted by a huge feast and celebrations. The Danes are happy to see Beowulf because they know he is the end to their treachery. However Unferth isn’t very pleased by his arrival. Unferth was determined to make Beowulf look as if he wasn’t the hero the Danes needed. A prime example of that is said in the first paragraph, “By their visitor’s courage, and angery that anyone in Denmark or anywhere on earth had ever acquired more glory and fame greater than his own.” This Quote explains to the reader that Unferth has a covetous mindset and strongly dislikes Beowulf.…show more content…
Hrothgar, King of the Danes, gives a perfect example of foreshadowing the battle with Grendel. For example the king had a feeling Grendel was going to attack, when it says “As the sun had gone, he knew that Grendel would come to Herot, would visit that hall when night had covered the earth with its net and shapes of darkness moved black and silent through the world.” The author put this quote in Unferth’s Challenge to subtly hint at the fact Grendel was going to come that night after everyone had gone to sleep. Foreshadowing is important to the Epic because it lets the reader get a better understanding of what is going to happen later in the

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