# Wiglaf — Beowulf character guide

> Wiglaf in Beowulf by Anonymous.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** XLII Wiglaf

**First appearance:** 0038-xxxvi-wiglaf-the-trusty-beowulf-is-deserted-by-friends-and-by-sword

## Snapshot

The young Geatish thane who alone keeps his vow when Beowulf's other companions flee, standing by his lord in the dragon's fire.

## Who they are

Wiglaf is a kinsman of Beowulf and the one retainer who remembers the oaths sworn over mead, choosing to enter the barrow-fight when the rest of the troop hides in the wood. His loyalty is sharpened by shame: he rebukes the deserters as men bereaved of rights and honor, insisting death is better than an infamous life. His stand marks the poem's turn from heroic triumph to elegy, and his voice carries the warning that a people without loyal men is doomed.

## Relationships

### [Ohthere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/ohthere)

_rivalry_

Ohthere is a Swedish king whose dynasty is opposed by Wiglaf, Beowulf's loyal kinsman and successor.

## In the story

### [Beowulf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/beowulf)

The loyal retainer who aids Beowulf against the dragon and condemns the cowardly warriors.

### [XXXVI: Wiglaf the Trusty—Beowulf Is Deserted by Friends and by Sword](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxxvi-wiglaf-the-trusty-beowulf-is-deserted-by-friends-and-by-sword)

The loyal retainer who remembers his oath and comes to Beowulf's aid, urging the other warriors to fight.

### [XXXVII: The Fatal Struggle—Beowulf’s Last Moments](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-fatal-struggle-beowulf-s-last-moments)

The loyal thane who aids Beowulf in the fatal struggle, succoring his kinsman and later tending to his wounds.

### [XXXVIII: Wiglaf Plunders the Dragon’s Den—Beowulf’s Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxxviii-wiglaf-plunders-the-dragon-s-den-beowulf-s-death)

Wihstan's son, plunders the dragon's den, retrieves treasure, and returns to Beowulf.

### [XXXIX: The Dead Foes—Wiglaf’s Bitter Taunts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xxxix-the-dead-foes-wiglaf-s-bitter-taunts)

The loyal retainer who helped Beowulf slay the dragon; sits exhausted by the king's body and bitterly taunts the cowardly warriors who fled.

### [XL: The Messenger of Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xl-the-messenger-of-death)

Sitting over Beowulf, keeping watch over the slain hero.

### [XLII: Wiglaf’s Sad Story—The Hoard Carried Off](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xlii-wiglaf-s-sad-story-the-hoard-carried-off)

Wiglaf sorrowfully recounts Beowulf's death and the retrieval of the hoard, and commands the building of the funeral pyre.

### [XLIII: The Burning of Beowulf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/chapters/xliii-the-burning-of-beowulf)

Implied among the Geatish warriors who oversee the funeral and barrow construction.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters/wiglaf
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beowulf_se/characters