The world of Beowulf is one built on
oral tradition. In the poem, this is reflected in the importance the characters assign
to being remembered (after they die gloriously in battle, presumably). The importance
of reputation surfaces throughout the poem, but it is when Beowulf arrival at the hall
at Heorot and in his conversation with Unferth that the importance of reputation is
established.
When Beowulf arrives, he does not present
himself as if his being respected is a foregone conclusion. He introduces himself not
by simply stating his name and his place of origin, but by providing a kind of resume of
his exploits. Unferth, hearing what Beowulf says and the reactions of those around him
to Beowulf's words, challenges his reputation. He
says:
Beowulf's quest,
sturdy
seafarer's, sorely galled him;
ever he envied that other
men
should more achieve in
middle-earth
of fame under heaven than he himself.
-
"Art thou that Beowulf, Breca's
rival,
who emulous swam on the open
sea,
when for pride the pair of you proved the
floods,
and wantonly dared in waters
deep
to risk your lives? No living
man,
or lief or loath, from your labor
dire
could you dissuade, from swimming the
main.
Ocean-tides with your arms ye
covered,
with strenuous hands the sea-streets
measured,
swam o'er the waters. Winter's
storm
rolled the rough waves. In realm of
sea
a sennight strove ye. In swimming he topped
thee,
had more of
main!
Unferth actually has the nerve to challenge Beowulf's
account of his exploits. Unferth questions Beowulf's reputation, something that must be
addressed immediately and decisively by Beowulf. To this end, he responds to this
challenge, saying:
"What a deal hast uttered, dear my
Unferth,
drunken with beer, of Breca
now,
told of his triumph! Truth I claim
it,
that I had more of might in the
sea
than any man else, more
ocean-endurance.
[...]Together we twain on the tides
abode
five nights full till the flood divided
us,
churning waves and chillest
weather,
darkling night, and the northern
wind
ruthless rushed on us: rough was the
surge.
Now the wrath of the sea-fish rose
apace;
yet me 'gainst the monsters my mailed
coat,
hard and hand-linked, help afforded,
-
battle-sark braided my breast to
ward,
garnished with gold. There grasped me
firm
and haled me to bottom the hated
foe,
with grimmest gripe. 'Twas granted me,
though,
to pierce the monster with point of
sword,
with blade of battle: huge beast of the
sea
was whelmed by the hurly through hand of
mine.
Beowulf is determined to set the record straight,
because any threat to his reputation would be disastrous. He cannot fathom being
remembered for being a liar or as someone who accomplished nothing honorable in life.
Throughout the poem, Beowulf and the other characters continue to acknowledge the
importance of reputation to their own lives but also to those of their families.
Similar examples can be found throughout the poem.
