Since the Anglo-Saxons did not believe in an afterlife, the only way they saw to achieve immortality was, as you said, to achieve fame. This would ensure that their stories of heroism would be sung in the mead halls for future generations--as indeed Beowulf's is, or you wouldn't find his tale in your textbook. This desire is what leads Beowulf to leave his home to challenge Grendel, and it is what leads his fourteen men to accompany him.
In Chapter XXI, Beowulf says, "Each of us must await the end of his path in this world, and he who can, should achieve renown before death! That is the best memorial when life is past and a warrior's days are recounted," reflecting his belief in fate as well as his beliefs about immortality.
Beowulf's vocal joust with Unferth is evidence of his love of boasting. He proves in this section that he is as equally skilled as an orator as he is as a warrior. He exaggerates his feats almost to the point of humor; for example, he claims he swam for many hours under water in chain mail armor. This boasting only adds to Beowulf's mystique and further promotes his legendary status among the Geats and the Danes.
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