Beowulf- l. 499-1018

Unferth tried to tarnish Beowulf’s reputation because he was jealous of Beowulf and didn’t want anyone to outshine himself. Unferth wanted to be the hero and the one to destroy the beast and didn’t want Beowulf coming in to take that spot from him. Unferth tried to make Beowulf look like a bad guy for telling the story of how he and a buddy had a swimming contest and Beowulf came out alright but lost his friend who they found later. Beowulf’s response though was that he told the truth and told how he himself had to battle sea monsters and how it was a horrible ordeal and that he and his buddy were just being friends and having a good swim contest. Then he goes on to kind of attack Unferth and say well if you are so strong and such a hero then this monster should be gone by now but no. Beowulf reinforced the fact that he wanted to be there and wanted to get rid of the beast and protect the kingdom. He was strong in his answer and didn’t cower down to Unferth but came back with a good response and showed how willing he was. It showed him as a good hero who wanted to get things done and was strong and willing to do what it took. He went back on Unferth and made him think twice of trying to question Beowulf. Beowulf talked of how strong he was and that he was better than Unferth who so far has done nothing.