Wiglaf

Wiglaf is a very compelling character in the story of Beowulf because he represents at the same time a man less than Beowulf, a man equal in stature and bravery to Beowulf, and a man with qualities that transcend Beowulf, or at least the character described in the epic.

We meet Wiglaf when he joins the fight against the dragon to defend Beowulf. We first see him as a man less than Beowulf, a thane of the great king who is subordinate and therefore presumably less skilled or less influential than Beowulf. He remains the only thane to back Beowulf in the fight, and yet he is still the subordinate of the King and so is seen as a lesser man.

During the fight, Wiglaf holds his own and is able to strike the dragon and dull its fiery breath’s potency. Here we see Wiglaf as Beowulf’s equal, a man brave in combat and equally skilled with the blade. While Beowulf strikes the killing blow, it is clear that the battle would have been lost without the assistance of Wiglaf and the two men seem to share in the burden and honor of slaying the beast.

After the fight we see Wiglaf as a man that transcends, or at least breaks apart from, the hero that is Beowulf. Wiglaf is respectful and diligent towards his dying king, following orders to the end and attempting to save Beowulf from the poison that consumes him. He fetches treasure for Beowulf, showing his ability to be both a messenger and slayer of dragons, a dual role that Beowulf would never be capable of. Wiglaf also assures that Beowulf’s final demands are met after his death, showing his utmost respect for tradition and for the king that just recently ruled over him. The multiple roles Wiglaf is allowed to and is capable of playing show that he has heroic qualities that are at the very least different from those displayed in the protagonist Beowulf.