Lines 500-600



Unferth, son of Ecglaf

 (500-510) Unferth, a son of Ecglaf becomes jealous of Beowulf and begins to try to show that Beowulf is not as splendid as he boasts being. Unferth begins to tell about a swimming contest that took place between Breca and Beowulf
(511-520) Unferth mocks Beowulf's performance in the swimming contest, calling him vain and a weak competitor.
(521-530) Unferth continues to talk about the swimming contest. He then tells Beowulf that there was no way that he would be able to defeat Grendel and that he would be destroyed when he attempted to fight him.
(531-540) Beowulf beings to tell about what actually happened during the swimming contest between himself and Breca. Beowulf points out that Unferth is rather drunk and the others should not pay any mind to his false retelling of the event.
(541-550) Beowulf continues to tell the about the swimming contest. He describes how Breca was not able to move any faster or farther than he was, but at one point, Beowulf was able pull ahead. He also talked about how they had to go against "whale beasts" and other "sea brutes".
(551-560) Beowulf continues on to tell about the epic swim contest that he was in. He tells that near the end of the swim contest, he was attacked by a sea beast. He was dragged under the water, but he used his sword to stab the monster and complete the competition.
(561-570) Beowulf continues to tell about all the various sea creatures that attacked him during his journey. He bravely boasts about all of the monsters that he killed during the time that he was at sea.
(571-580) Beowulf finishes his tale about the swimming contest and the nine sea monsters that he killed. He recalled being rather worn out, but he was still able to survive and complete the contest.
(581-590) Beowulf rebukes Unferth and tells him that he is not at all able to boast, because he has not done anything to get him glory, and neither has Breca. Beowulf tells Unferth that he has not accomplished anything in the field of swordsmanship or on the battle field. Beowulf also reaffirms his resolve to defeat Grendel.
(591-600) Beowulf continues on to tell how he, a Geat, will be able to defeat Grendel unlike any of the Danes, who have all been crushed when try to defeat the demon.