The Green-Eyed Monster

What happens when boastful confident men, alcohol and a desperate desire for justice intersect?  Fights ensue; in this case, it was a verbal war between Beowulf and a new character, Unferth.  (I don't like that name, Unferth...sounds too close to uncouth).  Anyway, Beowulf is welcomed into Herot and a feast is thrown in his honor to toast his victories and speak of the future.

Apparently Unferth imbibes a bit too much and speaks "harshly and sharp, vexed by Beowulf's adventure, courage and acquired glory and fame greater than his own."  Essentially, Unferth sticks his foot in his mouth and makes Beowulf shine even brighter (if that is at all possible at this point of the story).  Unferth calls him a "boastful fool, daring, young and proud, risking his life for no reason but danger" (looks like someone else thinks Beowulf may be bordering on extreme confidence). 

Beowulf takes this insult in stride, allowing Unferth to bury himself in his mead-influenced verbiage and then defends himself, "your face is hot with ale and your tongue has tried...but the truth is simple..."  What simple truth is this?  Only that Beowulf is the only man who can slay multiple sea-monsters with little resources and stay alive.  Yes, by Beowulf's own admittance, he is the only man that "can swim in the sea as I can, no strength is a match for mine." 

Beowulf states to Unferth and all feasting that he is not boasting, he is simply telling the truth.  He unnerves Unferth all the more by stating that he's never heard any impressive stories about him and that no man can match him.  We then learn that Unferth is probably a sore loser since he's apparently murdered his own brothers.  Beowulf lands a final pride-deafening blow by suggesting that the horror Grendel has inflicted upon Herot is due to a lack of action and strength from Unferth and other "quiet Danes."  Burn.

Hrothgar must approve because he offers wine to all present at the feast and his wife, Welthow, passes the goblet round and personally offers Beowulf a drink.  King Hrothgar announces that he is glad the Geats have come to save the day and turns over Herot to the visitors (which he's never done).   Beowulf, as expected, announces that he knew his purpose "was this:  to win the good will of your people or die in battle.  Let me live in greatness and courage, or here in this hall welcome my death!" 

Hrothgar ends the feasting with these words: "Purge Herot (of Grendel) and your ship will sail home with its treasure-holds full."