Wiglaf

Wiglaf is a character in the Old English epic poem Beowulf, a young Geat warrior who serves as Beowulf’s loyal thane and relative (the son of Weohstan). In the narrative he stands alongside Beowulf as a trusted follower and ally during Beowulf’s rise to fame.

In Beowulf’s final battle, a dragon threatens the Geats. When the other thanes flee in fear, Wiglaf remains at Beowulf’s side, helps fight the dragon, and is one of the few who battles the beast. After the dragon is slain, Beowulf dies of his wounds. Wiglaf then rebukes the fleeing warriors for their cowardice and reminds the Geats of the duty owed to their lord.

After Beowulf’s death, Wiglaf takes on leadership duties. He helps oversee Beowulf’s funeral and mourns the fallen king, and the poem implies that he succeeds Beowulf as king of the Geats and guides the people through a new era, though the poem provides limited detail about his reign.

Scholarly and literary significance: Wiglaf is widely interpreted as a figure embodying steadfast loyalty and fealty, contrasting with the cowardice of the other warriors. His intervention in Beowulf’s final battle highlights themes of loyalty, leadership, and the responsibilities of rulers. Across adaptations and analysis, Wiglaf is often cited as a key example of the ideal thane who remains true to his lord even in the face of danger.