Epic of Beowulf Essay - Wiglaf :: Epic of Beowulf Essay

Beowulf Wiglaf Wiglaf, along with Beowulfs other warriors, watches Beowulf insertion his battle against the dragon. When the fight seems to be turning against Beowulf, however, all of the warriors except Wiglaf -flee. Wiglafs purpose in the poem, however , is more than simply someone to dish Beowulf. Wiglaf is the model of a computable warrior, and as a good warrior, Wiglaf demonstrates the richness of heroism to society and the necessity of loyalty to ones kinsman and overlord. He is willing to saccrifice his life to reciprocate the gifts which he received from his lord, but hitherto more important, he symbolizes the need for cooperation between warrior and lord in separate to preserve society against overwhelming odds Wiglaf also demonstrates the responsibility of the good warrior, a contrast to the cowardly warriors, who represent all that sciet shoud not emulate. later on Beowulfs Battle with the dragon, Wiglaf reprimands the warrioirs who fled. Such cowardice, he says, reveals a national helplessness and is an invitation for their enemies to attack. Wiglaf reminds them that the loss of Beowulf means no more gifts, a loss of place down rights and everything that makes life joyous. Wiglaf emphasizes that death is preferable to a life without a lord without a lord, man is adrift in a hostile world. During Beowulfs battle with the dragon, the poet tells us that Beowulf is not "un goddamn", and after the battle during Wiglafs flack to revive the old Warrioir, the poet reminds us that God not only has the baron to preserve heroes in battle, but also to take life from them. He is saying at times, God dispenses victories, and at other times heroes recidivate their lives. Here, Beowulf loses his life. God allows Beowulf to avenge himself against the dragon and fight the good fight, but we mustiness always remember a key idea of the heroic tag a hero mustfight- even thoughhe knows that he fights against fate. Although Wiglaf is only a youngish warrior when he inherits the kingdom, heknows that the cowardice of the Geats will lead to their downfall. Other tribes who hear most the warriors failure to protect their king will surely covey down upon them, hoping to take revenge for past hostilities. In short, Wiglaf is a doomed man. Hw has inherited a longstanding feud, and he must lead a people who seem inable or unwillingly to fight.