Beowulf · Chapter
XLII: Wiglaf’s Sad Story—The Hoard Carried Off explained
Wiglaf mourns Beowulf's death and recounts how the king insisted on fighting the dragon despite counsel to let it be.
What happens
Wiglaf mourns Beowulf's death and recounts how the king insisted on fighting the dragon despite counsel to let it be. He describes entering the hoard, retrieving treasures, and Beowulf's final wishes for a burial barrow. Wiglaf then organizes the retrieval of the remaining treasure, the disposal of the dragon's body, and the transport of Beowulf to Whale's-Ness for his funeral.
Themes in this chapter
Mortality and Legacy
Beowulf's death and the construction of his burial barrow emphasize the theme of mortality and the desire for a lasting legacy.
Loyalty and Kingship
Wiglaf's loyalty to Beowulf is highlighted as he carries out the king's final commands and organizes the funeral.
Fate and Divine Providence
The narrative reflects on the inevitability of fate, as Beowulf's death is seen as a destiny that could not be avoided.
Characters to notice
- Wiglaf
Wiglaf sorrowfully recounts Beowulf's death and the retrieval of the hoard, and commands the building of the funeral pyre.
- Beowulf
Beowulf is deceased; his final words and wishes are relayed by Wiglaf, and his body is carried to Whale's-Ness.
- Wihstan
Wiglaf is identified as the son of Wihstan, who is mentioned in the lineage.
Key passages
“Then ’twas seen that the journey prospered him little Who wrongly within had the ornaments hidden Down ’neath the wall.”
It became clear that the one who had hidden the treasure in the barrow gained little from it.
Reflects on the futility of hoarding treasure, as the dragon's guardian role led to destruction.
“The liegelord belovèd we could little prevail on, Kingdom’s keeper, counsel to follow, Not to go to the guardian of the gold-hoard, but let him Lie where he long was, live in his dwelling Till the end of the world.”
We could not persuade our beloved king to heed our advice and leave the dragon alone in its lair.
Wiglaf laments that Beowulf ignored counsel and insisted on facing the dragon.
“Bade that remembering the deeds of your friend-lord Ye build on the fire-hill of corpses a lofty Burial-barrow, broad and far-famous.”
He commanded that you build a great and famous burial mound on the site of the funeral pyre, in memory of your lord's deeds.
Beowulf's final wish for a visible monument to his legacy.
“The flame shall now swallow (The wan fire shall wax) the warriors’ leader Who the rain of the iron often abided.”
The fire will consume the warrior leader who so often endured the storm of battle.
Wiglaf orders the pyre, acknowledging Beowulf's heroic endurance in war.