imming match on the open sea? There out of pride you both tested sea-ways, through foolish boasting risked lives on the deep. None could dissuade you, fiend nor foe, keep either of you from that hapless trip, when you two went swimming out of the bay(Beowulf p79)But in response to Unferths accusations, Beowulf once again proclaims the great deeds he has done. In fact, it appears that he is always looking for an opportunity to boast about the numerous monsters and enemies that he has slaughtered. He is always seeking to help his enrich his image. This flaw in his character, as well as his feeling of invincibility, which was all a result of his untainted record against his enemies, is what leads to his downfall later in his life. Again and again the angry monsters made fierce attacks, I served them well with my noble blade, as was only fitting. Small pleasure they had in such a sword-feast, dark things in the sea that meant to eat me, I had chanced to kill some nine sea-beasts. I never have heard of a harder night-fight under heavens vault, or a man more oppressed on the ocean streams.(Beowulf p83) It is very apparent here that he is extremely proud of what he had accomplished, and was not going to let some other person who had done no major heroic deed try to put him down in front of his fans. In fact, he goes on to say that no one in the world has fought such a hard fight as he did that night. All this shows that he is very egotistical and probably exaggerates his numerous stories in order to astonish his listeners. By doing all this, he is making sure that his name is never forgotten. He knows that all the people will talk about him and spread his fame, so he accomplishes a two-fold purpose by all his boasts. First, he impresses his direct audience and knows that people will revere him. Second, all these people will tell other people and the chain will continue until virtually everyone in the surrounding lands will have heard about him...
