Beowulf

While Beowulf is waiting to fight the monster, Unferth appears and challenges Beowulf. Unferth taunts Beowulf about losing past battles in his life, which only provokes Beowulf to brag and boast even more. Beowulf tells Unferth the story of the swimming match and explains that he killed nine sea monsters while out at sea. He also conveniently mentions that he has never heard any stories of Unferth's bravery. Chase Colins writes about how this instance of Beowulf's bragging could be conceived as over kill, however he thinks Beowulf is only standing up for himself in the manner that any man would. The fact that Beowulf hasn't heard any stories of Unferth is a symbol that Unferth was not a loyal man, argues Colins. Which in this society was quite a slap in the face. Beowulf finishes by telling Unferth that, if he were as brave as he claims to be, Grendel would be dead already. This is another instance that Lawrence claims Beowulf is way to prideful. He is basically claiming that he already knows he will kill Grendel without any help. But again, I would argue along with Colins that Beowulf is only defending himself, for being the loyal man that he is to his society. Another critic by the name of James Feldman argues that this section is a test for Beowulf being a newcomer. Feldman writes that he thinks Beowulf did a wonderful job of proving himself in this test. Unferth was taunting Beowulf to see if he was as quick of a thinker as he was a fighter, claims Feldman. If Beowulf would have backed down for some reason, his reputation as a good warrior and loyal man, would have dwindled a lot. Beowulf's boasting is also an encourager and reminder while he is in battle with Grendel. When Grendel comes to the mead-hall thinking he will enjoy yet another great feast of humans, he finds Beowulf. Realizing that Beowulf was stronger than any other man Grendel tries to flee from him but cannot. At this point in the battle Beowulf remembers what he had said to Unferth and the others in the mead-hall, and continues to hold on tightly to Grendel's arm.