Wiglaf's Character

1. Comment on Wiglaf’s character throughout the end of the book. Is he honorable or heroic like Beowulf or does he display an additional set of values?
Wiglaf was a longtime servant to Beowulf. At the end of the novel, Wiglaf is the only one of Beowulf’s kinsman to stand by his side and fight the dragon. Not only is Wiglaf honorable and heroic like Beowulf, but he also displays his own heroic characteristics.
While in the process of trying to sleigh the dragon, Beowulf gets hurt. Beowulf sticks his sword into the dragon and the dragon sinks its’ teeth into Beowulf. Beowulf’s entire kinsman fled the scene, but Wiglaf. He stood strong to his morals and did what he was set out to do. Kill the dragon. On page 181, starting at line 2690, it says, “He caught the hero in a rush of flame and clamped sharp fangs into his neck…[he] saw the king in danger at his side and displayed his inborn bravery and strength…he lunged at the enemy lower down so that his decorated sword sank into his belly and the flames grew weaker.” This short excerpt displays that Beowulf must have been a pretty fantastic king because Wiglaf was so loyal to him. Wiglaf was on a mission with Beowulf to sleigh the dragon. When the dragon killed Beowulf, Wiglaf knew it was his duty to honor Beowulf and finish the dragon off for good.
Also, Wiglaf displays his own heroic characteristics that set him apart from Beowulf. One, Wiglaf is brave, trustworthy and loyal. Before Beowulf dies, he thinks back on his life. He tells Wiglaf not to worry and gives him a list of things to do. He wants him to enter the dragon’s barrow and return home with treasure. Wiglaf enters the barrow and comes out with treasure hoping to find Beowulf alive so he can show him his goods. Beowulf is on his deathbed and commissions Wiglaf to construct a barrow in remembrance of him. Wiglaf follows through and Beowulf will always be remembered as a hero.
Beowulf and Wiglaf are alike in many ways. They are both heroes who fight to keep their people safe. They are brave, loyal to their people and themselves and very trustworthy. Just knowing the Wiglaf didn’t leave Beowulf’s side while he was sleighing the dragon is a true side of a hero. Wiglaf is a hero because he sticks with the situation no matter how bad it gets.