Characters in Beowulf (beowulf, Unferth & Grendel)

The epic of Beowulf is host to a number of different characters, all led by differing morals and opposing codes of conduct. The poem’s characters of Beowulf, Unferth and Grendel manage to illustrate the outcome and consequences of these variations of character, and it is said by many scholars that they are presented to the audience to be moral examples (Ogilvy, 40). To indicate exactly what kinds of characters these three are and the roles they are positioned to play, it is important to consider the ways in which other characters respond to their presence and the actions they undertake as well as the way in which the character is portrayed spiritually.

Most of the insight into Beowulf can be gathered by looking at the way in which others react and respond to his presence. The first introduction to Beowulf is when his boat lands ashore to assist the Danes in ridding them of the monster Grendel. When his boat lands, Beowulf and his men encounter a coast-guard where his appearance is met with remarks of surprise. The guard exclaims that he has not seen:

‘…a mightier man-at-arms on this earth than the one standing here: unless I am mistaken, he is truly noble’ (247-49).’

His evident impressiveness manages to win the trust and help of the coast-guard who already even titles him a ‘hero’ (298) while granting his request to be led to the king. As Beowulf prepares himself, the poem illustrates that:

“The hero arose,