Wiglaf's Background[]
Wiglaf is a mighty (although secondary) character in the ancient Beowulf epic poem. Wiglaf is first mentioned in line 2602 of the Heaney translation of Beowulf. He is known as a "well-regarded" warrior, although this is the first time he is mentioned going into battle alongside Beowulf. He often gives long speeches to instill courage and boost morale in the men during the final battle against the dragon. Wiglaf is Beowulf's courageous side-kick. The image to the right shows Wiglaf in all his recreated glory, played by Oscar-nominated hottie Brendan Gleeson in the 2007 Beowulf film. [1]
Etymology[2][]
"Wiglaf" is a Germanic name derived from two separate phrases: "Wig" meaning "fight, battle, or war", and "Laf" meaning "who or what is left behind". His name references the fact that Wiglaf is the only character that remains by Beowulf's side in the final battle.
Strengths[]
Wiglaf is portrayed as a very brave warrior. He has a powerful way with words, as shown in his many lines of dialogue throughout the final part of the epic. Beowulf entrusts Wiglaf with the duty of becoming King of the Geats, a huge responsibility, so he must have earned Beowulf's trust. Wiglaf defines the warrior's code of conduct: win the fight or die trying. He makes it clear in his brief appearance that he would give anything (even his life) in battle. Honor and dignity mean everything to him. He lives by the phrase "Death before dishonor."
Weaknesses[]
In the epic Beowulf, Wiglaf shows no weaknesses. However, many scholars debate this.[3] Some argue that another interpretation of the epic poem says that Wiglaf does, in fact, flee from the final battle with the other warriors. Of course, it's assumed that he's far away from the battle when he lectures the other deserters. This could be explained by the alternative translation. In this interpretation, he flees with the other men and then remembers the bravery and kinship of his father, Weohstan. This brings him immense feelings of guilt and remorse, and he tries to convince the other warriors to return to Beowulf's side. When this fails, Wiglaf returns alone. His fleeing can be seen as a weakness, a momentary lapse in bravery. If this interpretation is taken to heart, it is sure to have haunted Wiglaf for the rest of his days. It is certainly a terrible time to have a weakness, as Beowulf is left behind to fight the dragon alone, a battle which would prove fatal.
Role in the Beowulf Epic[]
Wiglaf plays an important role in Beowulf in the final parts. He fights alongside Beowulf to the very end. Beowulf, on his death bed, grants Wiglaf his "collar of gold", his chainmail, and helmet. He asks Wiglaf to construct a pyre and honor Beowulf in his death. He also asks that Wiglaf bring the gold and riches that they fought the dragon over to his side, so that he may see the fruits of his fatal labor before he passes.
Outside of being Beowulf's best friend, Wiglaf also reprimands the men who deserted their king in his hour of need. He calls the weapons bestowed upon the warriors by Beowulf "useless", as they were not used, even to defend the King. He practically banishes the men, saying that "A warrior will sooner die than live a life of shame." (Heaney 2890-2891).
Lines Mentioned in the Beowulf Epic[]
| Modern Translation[4] | Old English Counterpart |
|---|---|
| "But within one heart
sorrow welled up: in a man of worth the claims of kinship cannot be denied. His name was Wiglaf, a son of Weohstan's, a well-regarded Shylfing warrior related to Aelfhere." (Heaney 2599-2604). |
"Hiora in anum weoll
sefa wið sorgum; sibb æfre ne mæg wiht onwendan þam ðe wel þenceð. Wiglaf wæs haten Weoxstanes sunu, leoflic lindwiga, leod Scylfinga, mæg ælfheres;" (2599-2604). |
| "Weohstan kept that war-gear for a lifetime,
the sword and the mail-shirt, until it was the son's turn to follow his father and perform his part. Then, in old age, at the end of his days among the Weather-Geats, he bequeathed to Wiglaf innumerable weapons." (Heaney 2616-2624) |
"þæt him Onela forgeaf,
his gædelinges guðgewædu, fyrdsearo fuslic, no ymbe ða fæhðe spræc, þeah ðe he his broðor bearn abredwade. He frætwe geheold fela missera, bill ond byrnan, oððæt his byre mihte eorlscipe efnan swa his ærfæder; geaf him ða mid Geatum guðgewæda, æghwæs unrim, þa he of ealdre gewat, frod on forðweg." (2615-2624) |
| "Sad at heart, addressing his companions,
Wiglaf spoke wise and fluent words:" (Heaney 2631-2632) |
"Wiglaf maðelode, wordrihta fela
sægde gesiðum (him wæs sefa geomor):" (2631-2632) |
| "But Wiglaf did well under the wide rim
Beowulf shared with him once his own had shattered in sparks and ashes." (Heaney 2675-2677) |
"under his mæges scyld
elne geeode, þa his agen wæs gledum forgrunden." (2675-2677) |
| "Go now quickly,
dearest Wiglaf, under the grey stone where the dragon is laid out, lost to his treasure; hurry to feast your eyes on the hoard." (Heaney 2743-2746) |
"under harne stan,
Wiglaf leofa, nu se wyrm ligeð, swefeð sare wund, since bereafod." (2743-2746) |
| "Wiglaf went quickly, keen to get back,
excited by the treasure." (Heaney 2783-2784) |
"Ar wæs on ofoste, eftsiðes georn,
frætwum gefyrðred;" (2783-2784) |
| "They watched Wiglaf, sitting worn out
a comrade shoulder to shoulder with his lord, trying in vain to bring him round with water." (Heaney 2852-2854) |
"wlitan on Wilaf. He gewergad sæt,
feðecempa, frean eaxlum neah, wehte hyne wætre; him wiht ne speow." (2852-2854) |
| "Wiglaf, son of Weohstan, spoke
disdainfully and in disappointment:" (Heaney 2863-2864) |
"Wiglaf maðelode, Weohstanes sunu,
sec, sarigferð (seah on unleofe):" (2862-2863) |
| "Wiglaf sits
at Beowulf's side, the son of Weohstan, the living warrior watching by the dead, keeping weary vigil, holding a wake for the loved and the loathed." ( Heaney 2906-2910) |
"Wiglaf siteð
ofer Biowulfe, byre Wihstanes, eorl ofer oðrum unlifigendum, healdeð higemæðum heafodwearde leofes ond laðes." (2906-2910) |
| "Wiglaf, son of Weohstan, spoke:" (Heaney 3076) | "Wiglaf maðelode, Wihstanes sunu:" (3076) |
References[]
- ↑ The Guardian Editor. "Gallery: Who's Who in Beowulf." The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 14 Nov. 2007, th.guardian.com/film/gallery/2007/nov/1471.
- ↑ Campbell, Mike. "Wiglaf." Behind the Name - The Etymology and History of First Names, www.behindthename.com/name/wiglaf/submitted.
- ↑ Wikipedia Users. "Wiglaf." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Jan. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiglaf.
- ↑ Heaney, Seamus. Beowulf: English and Old English. W.W. Norton & Company, 2000.