The short digressions in the poem, describing many good or bad leaders (mostly kings) and their behavior toward their people, helps represent what was expected of a leader. The Lay of Finn, sung at Heorot between the Grendel and Grendel's Mother episodes, deals with people who change their loyalty to a king who kills the previous one. When all of Beowulf's men panic and run at the approach of the dragon, Wiglaf thinks about all the good things Beowulf has done for him and then rushes into the lair, yelling and cursing the others for not helping their king. Then afterward, when they have failed to help and Beowulf is dead, Wiglaf yells at them for running away and their failure to live up to their promises to their king. Finally, at Beowulf's funeral, the mourners once again sum up his legacy and all the great things he has done for…
Beowulf’s strength was not enough to kill the Dragon. Beowulf’s courage and selflessness was what ultimately defeated the Dragon. Beowulf needs the aid of Wiglaf to defeat the Dragon, because the Dragon was too powerful. In the beginning of the poem Beowulf’s definitive heroic characteristic is his strength. However in his battle with the Dragon he displays other characteristics. If Beowulf’s sole heroic quality was his strength than when he discovered he was not as strong as the Dragon he would…
events. Wiglaf is a epic hero because Wiglaf was the only one who was willing to support Beowulf against the dragon. Wiglaf conforms to the heroic code and is willing to die to draft the opponent. Wiglaf is an great character fro an epic hero because he is fearless, valiant, and caring. Wiglaf is fearless because he was the only one that was willing to risk his life to help and protect Beowulf during the battle against the dragon. Wiglaf was willing to die to protect his lord. “ We are the…
In my opinion, Wiglaf is a huge role model in the book, “Beowulf”. He is a follower of our hero, Beowulf, and is undoubtedly his most faithful warrior. Wiglaf is honorable, courageous, and as selfless as can be. Wiglaf has proven all of this in this story. There are many words that can describe Wiglaf, but I feel as though these words give the strongest adjectives that apply to this character. Wiglaf obviously has an amazing amount of courage. In line 773 – 774 of the book, this is what is…
In the final battle of the epic narrative Beowulf, Beowulf slays the dragon, but not before the dragon poisons him with his venom. When Beowulf becomes aware that he is dying, he passes off his necklace, golden helmet, rings and mail shirt to Wiglaf, who has come to his aid. By passing off his gear to Wiglaf, Beowulf is both physically and symbolically passing off his leadership role to Wiglaf. Beowulf does not just pass his role of king onto any person, but specifically Wiglaf because he would…
poem is Beowulf , Hrothgar , Grendel , and wiglaf. In this epic poem there is a brave , loyal leader name Beowulf. Beowulf who slays many monsters arrived at the Herot to defeat a monster name Grendel. Beowulf many obstacles during his journey. The major theme in the epic poem Beowulf that makes up the character is loyalty. There are many literary elements that shows loyalty in Beowulf. One of the elements was plot. In the event of The coming of Beowulf , Beowulf heard about Grendel and quickly…
with their lives. They honored their new king, Wiglaf, because it was Beowulf’s order. All was well. At dawn there was a wail. A cry so resounding, it woke all of Geatland and was heard across the ocean. Wiglaf was startled from his slumber, and he grabbed the nearest item, which happened to be a water pitcher. He rushed out of the castle unprepared, without his loyal retainers. Moaning on the step of Beowulf’s Barrow was a Geat woman known as Hildegard, she sat whimpering lost in thought,…
The death of the dragon by the hand of Beowulf and Wiglaf was justified and was for the greater good. Although many people would consider it as being a “wrong action”, he was doing it for the better being of his people and the financial state of his country. Back then it was important for the King to leave his people with some sort of financial stability and it also determined whether or not he was a good King. Beowulf was entitled to kill the dragon because he wanted to leave his country…
his tribe. During the battle with the dragon, Wiglaf calls for the other ten thanes to help Beowulf fight. Although Beowulf has protected them throughout the poem, the thanes return…
Somto Okpalor Curtis High School English 3 SIS Beowulf - Essay In epic poems, the aged hero is mostly replaced by a more youthful hero. Occasionally the two heroes battle each other instead of a mutual antagonist. In Beowulf, the writer takes Beowulf from his youthful years through adulthood and then his final encounter and the introduction of a new protagonist, Wiglaf. Wiglaf is a new protagonist who appears in the epic poem Beowulf, and is a likely successor to his king…