Beowulf · Chapter
X: Beowulf Silences Unferth—Glee Is High explained
Beowulf responds to Unferth's taunts by recounting his swimming contest with Breca and his victory over nine sea-monsters, then rebukes Unferth for killing his own brothers.
What happens
Beowulf responds to Unferth's taunts by recounting his swimming contest with Breca and his victory over nine sea-monsters, then rebukes Unferth for killing his own brothers. He asserts that Grendel would not have caused such havoc if Unferth were as brave as he claims. Hrothgar is overjoyed at Beowulf's resolve, and Wealhtheow presents Beowulf with a cup, thanking God for his arrival. Beowulf vows to defeat Grendel or die trying. As night falls, Hrothgar entrusts Heorot to Beowulf's care.
Themes in this chapter
Heroism and Valor
Beowulf boasts of his sea-monster fight and vows to defeat Grendel, embodying heroic courage.
Pride and Arrogance
Unferth's taunt and Beowulf's counter-boast highlight the tension between pride and true valor.
Fate and Divine Providence
Beowulf states 'Weird often saveth the undoomed hero if doughty his valor,' linking fate with personal courage.
Characters to notice
- Beowulf
Silences Unferth with his tale of sea-monsters, rebukes Unferth for fratricide, and vows to defeat Grendel.
- Unferth
Taunted Beowulf but is silenced; accused by Beowulf of killing his own brothers.
- Hrothgar
Joyful at Beowulf's bold words; entrusts Heorot to Beowulf's keeping for the night.
- Wealhtheow
Circulates with the cup, thanks God for Beowulf's arrival, and presents Beowulf with a beaker.
- Ecgtheow
Mentioned as Beowulf's father when Beowulf is called 'offspring of Ecgtheow'.
- Ecglaf
Mentioned as Unferth's father when Beowulf addresses 'offspring of Ecglaf'.
- Healfdene
Mentioned as Hrothgar's father when Hrothgar is called 'Healfdene's son'.
Key passages
“Weird often saveth / The undoomed hero if doughty his valor!”
Fate often spares the hero who is not yet doomed, provided his courage is strong.
Beowulf expresses the interplay of fate and personal bravery.
“Though with cold-blooded cruelty thou killedst thy brothers, / Thy nearest of kin; thou needs must in hell get / Direful damnation, though doughty thy wisdom.”
Even though you killed your own brothers, you will be damned to hell despite your cleverness.
Beowulf condemns Unferth's fratricide, contrasting wisdom with moral corruption.
“I purposed in spirit when I mounted the ocean, / When I boarded my boat with a band of my liegemen, / I would work to the fullest the will of your people / Or in foe's-clutches fastened fall in the battle.”
I intended when I set sail with my men to fulfill your people's wish or die in combat.
Beowulf declares his commitment to victory or death.