The epic is named for Beowulf, its dominant figure, who is portrayed at two distinct periods of his life. He first appears as an ambitious young warrior eager to test his courage and skills against the might of Grendel. He recounts an earlier adventure with a youth named Breca that foreshadows his heroic potential. At the same time, Beowulf is contrasted with Unferth, a character who talks about performing heroic deeds but fails to back up his words with actions. Beowulf's proud boast to King Hrothgar—"[I will] rid you of the Brute/ That nightly robs you of rest. I am no weakling."—represents not idle boasting but a commitment to fulfill the deed or to die trying. Later, a tired and aged King Beowulf faces another monstrous foe, which he vanquishes to save his people but only at the cost of his own...