An anti Hero, a perfectly clear defined Villain is created to build a contrast with the main positive Character. But sometimes the Villain is depicted to be more graceful than the true Hero of the story .
In Beowulf, both Grendel and Unferth occupy similar roles as anti-Heroes, heightening the qualities of and giving purpose to Beowulf. The monster is an outside torment representing the faults within Anglo-Saxon culture, and the man is the embodiment of defects within Danish society. Grendel, of course, is a foe which Beowulf can battle to earn glory, riches, and allies. Unferth, a brave, noble man like Beowulf, but who los t his standing as a Heroic man by killing his brother, serves as a contrast making the latter appear more valiant. Had Unferth successfully rid the Danes of their tormenter, there would have been no need of help from the Geats. He also provides Beowulf with an opportunity to boast prior to his battle with Grendel, heartening the men for their dangerous night ahead.
Apart from this, many Characteristics of Grendel and Unferth mirror each other. Most obviously, they are tarnished by acts of fratricide which make them social outcasts. Unferth is never given the opportunity to explain his action, and Grendel himself did not physically commit Cain's crime, yet both are punished. Beowulf tells that It harrowed him to hear the din of the loud banquet every day in the hall, until Grendel came to Heorot for the purpose of joining the crowd.
Also, a significant component of each of their downfalls was pride. Grendel, greedily lusting for human blood, was too proud for caut ion in his last deadly fight. Unferth, too, became the target of Grendel's malice in Gardner's novel through his self-righteous pride. Desirous of a glorious death in defense of his country, Unferth assumed his opponent to be very primitive. He was instead rewarded with public humiliation and the disgrace of being continually spared from harm.
Both were required to set great stakes on each fight or encounter because of the reputations they had to fulfill. Although neither was accepted by society, they were nevertheless part of it, and without maintaining their roles very precisely, they might lose their place - a great fear for beings hanging on the cusp of the populace already. Grendel, once forced into the role, must remain the Destroyer, killing sometimes reluctantly so wouldn't be misunderstood. Every human creature has a basic need for purpose and activity. As the dragon points out, Grendel is not only defined by his role to the Danes, but he helps define them a s well. Men are constantly being defined by something, and if Grendel refuses to be man's condition, then he will be replaced.
Unferth tells Grendel that all a Hero asks for is a chance. For this reason as well, Grendel comes across as the anti-Hero because he had chances to achieve his goal of befriending men and failed. Whilst stuck in the tree, they initially planned to feed him, but ended up hurling an axe towards him. When he approached the men with his offering of friendship, it was not accepted and his life was again threatened. He has either run out of chances or given up trying. Unferth, on the other hand, is taking his chance to redeem himself from his murderous deeds. Nor does he cease taking these chances, and his determination through increasingly bad odds marks him as Heroic when compared to Grendel's defeatist behavior.
Thus, a Character primarily created as a foil for a Hero can, when compared to a more Villainous anti-Hero, be seen as honorable and worthy. Although Unferth's act of fratricide justly marks him as a detestable person, the cold, spiteful destruction of Grendel creates a side of Unferth that people relate to. People, like Grendel, want to make the best of others. Therefore, a scoundrel such as Unferth can be made Heroic when contrasted to a true anti-Hero.
The article was produced by the member of masterpapers.com. Sharon White is a senior writer and writers consultant at term papers. Get some useful tips for thesis and term paper writing .
Author:: Sharon White
Keywords:: Character, Hero, Villain
Post by History of the Computer | Computer safety tips
No comments:
Post a Comment