Beowulf 2

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 showed many similar heroic characteristics as Beowulf towards the end of the book. Wiglaf showed bravery, honor, wisdom and strength, all characteristics Beowulf showed through out the poem. Wiglaf showed bravery and strength when he was the only one of Beowulf’s men that stayed to help Beowulf fight the dragon; the rest ran away in fear. But before he ran into the fight, he made a speech to his men telling them they are cowards if they go home instead of staying and fighting, which showed his honor towards his king. Beowulf was known to give a speech before a major battle, which shows their similarities. Though Wiglaf was not able to save Beowulf, he was there to help him defeat the dragon. He comforted Bewoulf as he was dying. Beowulf did not have to die alone since Wiglaf was there and he was able to die knowing that he has won the treasures for his people and a worthy man will be able to take care of the Geats. From what Wiglaf has shown, he could be a potential leader of the Geats and the troops.

Beowulf and Unferth

Unferth is the local hero of the Danes, who does not like Beowulf’s presence in his town because of jealousy. Unferth brings up the swimming race between Beowulf and Breca, which Beowulf lost. Unferth says to Beowulf how do you expect to win against Grendel if you have lost once before. No one has ever been able to defeat Grendel before, why do you believe you are going to be different. Beowulf being the better man, does not immediately come out and say no you are wrong. Instead he defends himself, saying that he lost because he other’s safety before his glory. He is a hero because he bought others before himself. As he was racing he came across sea monsters that he had to kill in order to protect the sailors. While Breca, simply swam on only thinking about himself to win the race. So Breca might have been the winner, but Beowulf was the better man. Then Beowulf throws in an insult hurting Unferth’s honor. He says that he should not have had to come, that Unferth being the local hero should have stepped up and taken care of Grendel, instead of being a coward and letting Grendel kill all these innocent people. Beowulf is a better man and a better hero than Unferth. Unferth let’s his jealousy take over and he tries to humiliate Beowulf, which ends up backfiring on him.