Wiglaf

I'm sure everyone remembers Wiglaf the white knight from Final Fantasy Tactics. However, he is originally from the epic poem Beowulf. At the very end of the poem, Beowulf decides (in his advanced age) to battle a dragon that burned down his castle and terrorized his subjects. The dragon proves to be a much more worthy opponent than Beowulf intended. It makes matters worse thatBeowulf's sword breaks when he jabs the dragon's head with it. The dragon bites Beowulf in the neck, and the venom begins to course through his body.

Essentialy, the dragon produces a mighty stream of fire which Beowulf is stuck deflecting with his shield. Beowulf's men flee into the woods, leaving him for dead. However, Wiglaf does not run away, and dives into the battle. He thrusts his sword into the dragon's stomach, which ceases the stream of fire. At this point in the poem, Beowulf delivers the fatal blow with his dagger. Beowulf then dies of the wounds he suffered from the dragon.

Wiglaf wins fame and fortune for standing by his doomed king. In a sense, Beowulf's legacy is passed on to Wiglaf.

Wiglaf is a very good representative of Anglo-Saxon ideals. In "Beowulf", he is shown to be respectful, courageous and brave, boastful, a soldier, loyal, trusting, and he drinks.

Wiglaf respects and honors the gift of the armor and sword given to him by his father. It is with these inherited treasures that Beowulf leads him into battle with.

"The Dragon discovered his courage…When the rush of battle brought them together." (28-29) The Dragon is also Beowulf, who witnessed Wiglaf's courage on the battlefield. Courage is a very predominant characteristic of Anglo-Saxon men. This trait is needed to stand up to whatever marauding peoples happen by the house that day, to assault as well as defend. Battles large and small need men to fight them; the courageous followed their leaders to their victory, defeat, or death.

"I remember how we sat in the mead-hall, drinking/And boasting of how brave we'd been…" (32-33) Drinking was a common way for the typical Anglo-Saxon to relax with friends and reminisce about how great and brave (and mighty and fearless and spectacular) he had been in various battles. They enjoy their boasting, a verbal trophy for their commendable actions.

Loyalty to Beowulf is the driving force behind Wilglaf following him into battle. People do not blindly follow the instructions of someone they do not know and trust with their lives. Once that trust is established, men die for one another, their loyalty stronger than any foe they encounter.

These characteristics are the backbone of the Anglo-Saxon ideals.