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Critical appreciation of beowulf
Critical analysis of beowulf
Critical analysis of beowulf
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More handpicked essays just for you.
Critical appreciation of beowulf
Critical analysis of beowulf
Critical analysis of beowulf
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Rory Martin Mr. Arnold English 4, A period 9 September, 2015 Comitatus in Beowulf With in Beowulf the comitatus was not like any other viking or norse hierarchy. When Beowulf is struck down and killed by the mighty dragon his comitatus should have gone to the son, like any viking or norse kingdom would but seeing as he did not have any children let alone a son he passed on his throne of power onto his most trusted and bravest warrior Wiglaf. For in Beowulf's final moments before his death he passed on all that he had to Wiglaf because he come to and deffened the aged heroic king know to all by Beowulf. Beowulf gave Wiglaf all of his rings and gold during his giving of riches of power for none of his other brave and cowardly warrior
Over fifty years go by and he still stands out to protect the people of the land by going alone to fight a dragon that attacks with the aid of his friend Wiglaf who also displays loyalty even when the flames were causing a deterrence. They both reflect the theme loyalty even when there was a lack of defense. This is asserted by the quote, “flames lapped the shield, charred it to the boss, and the body armor on the young warrior was useless to him” (2672-2674). Wiglaf demonstrates loyalty by not abandoning his friend in a war when others flee and try to save their lives. He asserts his loyalty by saying “I would rather my body were robbed in the same burning blaze as my gold-giver’s body than go back home bearing arms” (2651-2653).
In beowulf’s culture loyalty, true friendship and companionship were all very important, especially to beowulf who was always in the danger zone. In case of one's death the other would stay behind to let the world know of the others greatness and achievements in
Jake Christensen Teacher British Lit 6/22/17 Wiglaf Character Analysis There are many brave warriors in medieval literature. Some of these warriors included Sir Gawain and Sir Galahad who were members of the knights of the round table. 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 Beowulf. Wiglaf is the embodiment of bravery because he shows humbleness, loyalty, and honor of the highest scale; Wiglaf is Beowulf’s bravest warrior.
Everyone has a perspective on good and evil; the battle line between good and even runs through the heart. “Beowulf” illuminates characters that come from dark and deep backgrounds that construct their dauntless actions. In the heroic tale “Beowulf,” the author’s tones strongly demonstrates themes of loyalty, honor, and courage. Raffel’s tones remotely displays the act of loyalty within multiple characters. “Hail to these who will rise to God, drop off their dead bodies” (101).
In the image, Wiglaf responds to the warriors who abandoned Beowulf in his fight against the dragon. He says, “A true warrior prefers death over a life of shame”. This is an example of the warrior code, which is a very evident theme all throughout Beowulf. Also, the image shows that the warriors are now left vulnerable to the Swedes, because of Beowulf’s
When going into war you want the best men, you want the meanest and toughest guys, you want the men that won’t give up no matter how bad or one sided things may get. For Beowulf, Wiglaf was that man, he fought with great heart and tons of passion. He had Beowulf’s back and Beowulf had his, they counted on one another when times of war got tough. Wiglaf was the only man out of many to help Beowulf defeat the dragon, proving to Beowulf that he was a good successor. Wiglaf was no doubt our favorite character other than Beowulf for many reasons in our eyes this man was just a great as Beowulf, because just because he wasn’t the leader or warrior that Beowulf was but the reason we think he is so great is because his heart is so big, and
The biggest theme in Beowulf is loyalty. This is especially prominent when we look at the character Wiglaf. Wiglaf has made a commitment to fight alongside Beowulf, even if his life was at risk. We see this in action when Beowulf tries to fight and fire breathing dragon and gets injured. The rest of his followers run away while Wiglaf helps Beowulf defeat the dragon.
After Beowulf’s army abandons him in his time of need against the dragon, Wiglaf addresses them, stating, “Everyone of you… our whole nation will be dispossessed, once princes from beyond get tidings of how you turned and fled and disgraced yourselves. A warrior will sooner die than live a life of shame” (Heaney 195). Beowulf’s people prize the integrity and courage of a warrior above all else because it is the only way to keep a society safe and stable against enemies. Wiglaf’s accusations show that not only will the warriors lose respect and pay the price for their cowardice, but so will the entire kingdom, as foreign invaders will prey on their weakness.
Men would risk their lives for treasure and honor. “Each man, who had sailed with Beowulf and risk the voyage received a bounty” (lines beowulf (1050-1052)). In other words, the men risked their lives on the voyage to receive gold and honor. The Anglo Saxon culture valued gold and treasure more than their own lives. At the end of the poem, while Beowulf was dying he requested that Wiglaf retrieve the gold he had just “won”.
Cousin to Beowulf, he always kept in mind the good thing he’d given him such as armor, gold and the great estates the Wexstans now owned. A good man from the start with good morals. This shaped him to be the follower he was and now the leader he is. Wiglaf, as I just mentioned, is a good man. One of simple proud qualities.
Wiglaf holds fast to the courageous code superior to anything Beowulf's different retainers, along these lines substantiating himself an appropriate successor to Beowulf. But with the help of Wiglaf, he tries his best to defeat the dragon. Although going after the dragon knowing he is going to die, he is still fighting for his people. He wants them to be safe and he would risk his life to make sure of that. In lines 2331-2332 it shows how Beowulf was grieving before going into a battle and had never felt that way before.
Many know of heroic king, how he showed no fear towards any battle. King Beowulf showed his braveness one last time to defeat the dragon, with the hope that his men would stand once more beside him. Unfortunately, this was not how it played out as his men deserted him. One man, stayed to fight by the side of his king as a loyal kinsman and thane, this man’s name is
Wiglaf knows his place as warriors and the rules that come with it. He sets foot into the Dragons’ lair and starts battling with the dragon. Wiglaf fearless and courageous, just as young and even old Beowulf, defeated the dragon and avenged his king. The relation between young Beowulf and young Wiglaf is that they both share the same aspects such as being fearless, having courage, and being selfless. They’re mentality is of protecting their king rather than themselves and of avenging their kings death no matter the situation.
Wiglaf showed the great Kinship between him and his king by staying by Beowulf’s side on a crisis, killed the dragon with Beowulf and watched him died with glory. However, those tribes who ran away came back after the end of the battle and felt ashamed for Beowulf’s death. In Beowulf, courage creates kinship. “Remembering everything his lord and cousin had given him, armor and gold and the great estates Wexstan’s