Throughout Beowulf, there are numerous narrative digressions or flashbacks within the story such as "Unferth's challenge to Beowulf, the fight at Finnsburg and Hrothulf's treachery." These interruptions serve actually serve a purpose; these flashbacks are meant to enhance Beowulf's character. They give the audience deeper insight into who Beowulf is and inform us of his history that we are unaware of. They usually signify important events that have occurred and remind the audience of Beowulf's heroism. One of the more crucial flashbacks is Unferth's challenge to Beowulf. This provides insight to the unknowing reader. "Are you that Beowulf/who with Breca strove,/on the open sea/over a swimming match,/where you two out of pride/tempted the floods/for this doltish boasting. . . . (ll. 506-509)" In this particular digression, Unferth means to challenge Beowulf's might and smarts as Unferth believes that he is stronger than he. This challenge is done through a swimming contest which neither of them won (Breca was the winner as he came ashore first). Unferth believes that Beowulf is incapable of defeating Grendel and meant to prove that through this contest. But as we all know Beowulf is successful in his brawl with the vicious Grendel. In Beowulf's telling of this same flashback, he deems himself winner as he completed heroic deeds. Beowulf tells the story stating that he had to battle serpents and sea creatures within this contest while the other two stood idly by. Flashbacks told by different people are recounted in different ways. This is seen in everyday life one friend may recount an experience in a positive manner while the other friend recounts the same experience in a pessimistic way. This is proven with the two different version and the two different winners told by Unferth and Beowulf.
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http://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-significance-digressions-beowulf-367420
Sources Used:
http://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-significance-digressions-beowulf-367420