Wiglaf. Wiglaf Character Analysis in Beowulf 2022-12-11
Wiglaf Rating:
6,7/10
489
reviews
Wiglaf is a character in the epic poem "Beowulf," which was written in Old English and is one of the oldest surviving pieces of literature in the English language. In the poem, Wiglaf is a young warrior who is loyal to the hero Beowulf and is one of the few people who stands by him when he fights the dragon that ultimately kills him.
Wiglaf is first introduced in the poem as a member of Beowulf's warrior band, known as the Geats. He is described as being brave and loyal, and he is highly respected by Beowulf and the other members of the band. When Beowulf decides to fight the dragon, he chooses Wiglaf as one of the warriors who will accompany him.
During the fight with the dragon, Beowulf is severely injured and is no longer able to defend himself. Wiglaf bravely comes to his aid and helps him defeat the dragon, but at great cost to himself. He is also injured in the battle and is left weakened and unable to continue fighting.
Despite his injuries, Wiglaf remains loyal to Beowulf and helps him in his final moments. He brings him water and tends to his wounds, and he even offers to give up his own life in exchange for Beowulf's. In the end, Beowulf dies, but he is able to do so with dignity and honor, thanks in part to the loyalty and bravery of Wiglaf.
Wiglaf's loyalty and bravery make him an important and memorable character in "Beowulf." He is a testament to the virtues of loyalty and self-sacrifice, and he serves as a role model for readers of the poem. His actions in the face of great danger and adversity demonstrate the strength of character that is possible when one is truly committed to a cause or a person.
Wiglaf As An Epic Hero In The Epic Of Beowulf
Beowulf's Loyalty 595 Words 3 Pages Now there is a way we view everyone when we first are introduced to them or when we first meet them. Beowulf shows bravery throughout the book Beowulf. Cousin to …show more content… Yet all that time he had still been a loyal follower and leader in the making. Whether good or evil, the audience sympathize with the protagonist and understands the motif of the character. These men showed humbleness, loyalty, and honor which are all attributes of a brave warrior, but the bravest warrior in medieval literature is definitely Wiglaf from the story Being humble is one aspect of a brave warrior.
In Beowulf, Wiglaf proves the trait of loyalty is an archetype that fails to fade as time passes. Ecgberht's influence was certainly reduced after 830, but Mercia never recovered control of the south-east, except possibly for Essex, and East Anglia remained independent. There are many differences, but at the same time there are many similarities. Let the bier be prepared, quickly made ready, when we come out of the hoard, and then bear away our beloved chieftain, our dear king and comrade, where he will long remain In the protection of the all-powerful Ruler. Wiglaf first appears in Beowulf at line 2602, as a member of the band of mæg ælfheres, "kinsman of Ælfhere.
Beowulf represents a quintessential Anglo-Saxon hero through his confident poise, his willingness for self-sacrifice, and his tenacity through near-impossible odds. He attempts to shame them into action, but no one returns. Was it purely out of divine law? He declares that he would rather be burned to death than to abandon his king, and he rushes to Beowulf's defense. It is an epic of a hero who embodies the honor of the Anglo-Saxon culture and tradition. In his time, only to later be named as a kind, gentle and generous king. Wiglaf acts because he follows the warrior code of loyalty to his lord. And join us for Wednesday, February 8th, 2023!! He recounts the Geats' old feuds with the Frisians, Franks, and Swedes, and predicts that without Beowulf to protect them, those feuds will erupt again into war.
He attempts to shame them into action, but no one returns. Wiglaf is the only one willing to risk his life to help his ruler. The messenger proclaims Beowulf's death to the people, and foresees a bleak future for the Geats. All the character archetypes in Beowulf allow the reader to have a deeper understanding on all the characters and what their role is in their society. Because of his courageous and selfless decision, Wiglaf embodies Anglo-Saxon heroism by showing bravery, keeping his oath of loyal service to Beowulf, and providing justice.
Wiglaf in Beowulf: Character Traits of the Most Loyal Character
I envisage during all his battles he possesses all the traits of an epic hero. You are the last of us, the only one left. Beowulf is a protagonist whose encounters with evil proves him to be a strong heroic warrior. Retrieved October 26, 2007. Beowulf decides to wait for the creature, and Wiglaf is told by Unferth to check the upper portion of the hall, having opened a window so that the creature will kill Wiglaf.
Mercia, an Anglo-Saxon kingdom in Europe. While in the service of the Scylfing Onela, king of the Swedes, Weohstan killed the rebel prince Eanmund and took his sword as a trophy; Wiglaf later inherited it. Wiglaf has a counterpart in Scandinavian sources named Hjalti who serves as a side-kick to Beowulf's counterpart Beowulf. He is the son of Weohstan, a Swede of the Wægmunding clan who had entered the service of Beowulf, king of the Geats. Wiglaf is a young warrior in the service of his king, Beowulf.
From fighting Grendel to slaying the dragon, Beowulf only fought because he value the fame and fortune that comes along with those accomplishments. In the Epic poem of Beowulf, there is more than one epic hero. Why is Wiglaf important to the story of Beowulf? The name is composed of two wig fight, battle, war and laf what or who is left. He is not just respected by Beowulf but also by the author of the poem. He cannot defeat the powerful dragon without losing his life. He gives Wiglaf the gold necklace he wears and his armor, and dies. In a way, his valor only serves to underscore just how weak in general and dependent on Beowulf the other Geats have become.
Beowulf showcases good versus evil, which we still see everyday. Lumiansky notes that while a common interpretation is that Wiglaf is the only one of Beowulf's companions who does not flee, Wiglaf actually flees along with the cowardly companions, as he must be far away from the fight when he addresses the cowards. His generosity is one of the virtues for which he is admired. Only fleetingly will the populace favor material objects, but they will forever look towards their instinctual emotions. How and why would Antigone go against the governing body of her homeland? Beowulf bestows armor on Wiglaf, just as the aging Hrothgar once bestowed armor on him.
Although re-written in the eleventh century, Anglo-Saxon themes represented the ideals of Christianity in a more virtuous, and outright manner. He was called Wiglaf, son of Weohstan, A valued shied-warrior, and man of the Scylfings, A kinsman of Aelfhere. Wiglaf is the only one willing to risk his life to help his ruler. Who Is Wiglaf in Beowulf? His bravery and solid bearing provide the single glint of optimism in the final part of the story, which, for the most part, is dominated by a tone of despair at what the future holds. So, Beowulf, travels from Geatland to save Herot from the demons that lurk about. Ceolwulf may also, or instead, have been a member of the putative C-dynasty of Ceolwulf I. We do know the latter committed treason.
