Summary
Wiglaf proves his loyalty by fighting alongside Beowulf, striking the dragon lower while Beowulf's sword finds its mark in the beast's middle. Together, they kill the monster, but victory comes at a terrible cost. The dragon's poison courses through Beowulf's veins, and he knows his death is near. Exhausted, he sits against the ancient stone wall while Wiglaf tends to his wounds, removing his helmet and cooling his fevered face. In these final moments, Beowulf reflects on his fifty-year reign with satisfaction. He has no son to inherit his armor and weapons, but he takes comfort in knowing he ruled justly. He never sought unnecessary conflict, kept his word, and avoided the treachery that destroys so many leaders. Most importantly, he can face death knowing he never killed his own kinsmen—a source of deep pride in a world where family betrayal is common. As the poison spreads, Beowulf makes one final request: he wants to see the dragon's treasure hoard before he dies. He asks Wiglaf to hurry to the cave and bring back the gold and jewels so his dying eyes can gaze upon the wealth he has won for his people. This isn't greed—it's a warrior's need to see the tangible proof that his sacrifice has meaning. The chapter captures the bittersweet nature of heroic achievement: great victories often require great sacrifice, and the measure of a leader isn't just in their triumphs, but in how they face their final moments.
Coming Up in Chapter 38
Wiglaf races into the dragon's lair to retrieve the glittering treasure hoard. What he finds in that ancient cave will both fulfill and break his dying lord's heart.
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An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 689 words)
THE FATAL STRUGGLE.--BEOWULF'S LAST MOMENTS.
{Wiglaf defends Beowulf.}
Then I heard that at need of the king of the people
The upstanding earlman exhibited prowess,
Vigor and courage, as suited his nature;
[1]He his head did not guard, but the high-minded liegeman's
5 Hand was consumed, when he succored his kinsman,
So he struck the strife-bringing strange-comer lower,
Earl-thane in armor, that _in_ went the weapon
Gleaming and plated, that 'gan then the fire[2]
{Beowulf draws his knife,}
Later to lessen. The liegelord himself then
10 Retained his consciousness, brandished his war-knife,
Battle-sharp, bitter, that he bare on his armor:
{and cuts the dragon.}
The Weder-lord cut the worm in the middle.
They had felled the enemy (life drove out then[3]
Puissant prowess), the pair had destroyed him,
15 Land-chiefs related: so a liegeman should prove him,
A thaneman when needed. To the prince 'twas the last of
His era of conquest by his own great achievements,
[92]
{Beowulf's wound swells and burns.}
The latest of world-deeds. The wound then began
Which the earth-dwelling dragon erstwhile had wrought him
20 To burn and to swell. He soon then discovered
That bitterest bale-woe in his bosom was raging,
Poison within. The atheling advanced then,
{He sits down exhausted.}
That along by the wall, he prudent of spirit
Might sit on a settle; he saw the giant-work,
25 How arches of stone strengthened with pillars
The earth-hall eternal inward supported.
Then the long-worthy liegeman laved with his hand the
{Wiglaf bathes his lord's head.}
Far-famous chieftain, gory from sword-edge,
Refreshing the face of his friend-lord and ruler,
30 Sated with battle, unbinding his helmet.
Beowulf answered, of his injury spake he,
His wound that was fatal (he was fully aware
He had lived his allotted life-days enjoying
The pleasures of earth; then past was entirely
35 His measure of days, death very near):
{Beowulf regrets that he has no son.}
"My son I would give now my battle-equipments,
Had any of heirs been after me granted,
Along of my body. This people I governed
Fifty of winters: no king 'mong my neighbors
40 Dared to encounter me with comrades-in-battle,
Try me with terror. The time to me ordered
I bided at home, mine own kept fitly,
Sought me no snares, swore me not many
{I can rejoice in a well-spent life.}
Oaths in injustice. Joy over all this
45 I'm able to have, though ill with my death-wounds;
Hence the Ruler of Earthmen need not charge me
With the killing of kinsmen, when cometh my life out
Forth from my body. Fare thou with haste now
{Bring me the hoard, Wiglaf, that my dying eyes may be refreshed by a
sight of it.}
To behold the hoard 'neath the hoar-grayish stone,
50 Well-lovèd Wiglaf, now the worm is a-lying,
Sore-wounded sleepeth, disseized of his treasure.
Go thou in haste that treasures of old I,
Gold-wealth may gaze on, together see lying
[93] The ether-bright jewels, be easier able,
55 Having the heap of hoard-gems, to yield my
Life and the land-folk whom long I have governed."
[1] B. renders: _He_ (_W_.) did not regard his (_the dragon's_) _head_
(since Beowulf had struck it without effect), _but struck the dragon a
little lower down.--_One crux is to find out _whose head_ is meant;
another is to bring out the antithesis between 'head' and 'hand.'
[2] 'Þæt þæt fýr' (2702), S. emends to 'þá þæt fýr' = _when the fire
began to grow less intense afterward_. This emendation relieves the
passage of a plethora of conjunctive _þæt_'s.
[3] For 'gefyldan' (2707), S. proposes 'gefylde.' The passage would
read: _He felled the foe (life drove out strength), and they then both
had destroyed him, chieftains related_. This gives Beowulf the credit
of having felled the dragon; then they combine to annihilate him.--For
'ellen' (2707), Kl. suggests 'e(a)llne.'--The reading '_life drove out
strength_' is very unsatisfactory and very peculiar. I would suggest
as follows: Adopt S.'s emendation, remove H.'s parenthesis, read
'ferh-ellen wræc,' and translate: _He felled the foe, drove out his
life-strength_ (that is, made him _hors de combat_), _and then they
both, etc_.Master this chapter. Complete your experience
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Legacy Accounting - How Leaders Face Their Final Scorecard
The instinctive review of character and integrity that occurs when facing endings or consequences, measuring ourselves by how we treated others rather than what we achieved.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to evaluate decisions based on long-term character impact rather than short-term gain.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when facing difficult choices, ask yourself: 'In ten years, looking back, will I be proud of how I handled this situation?'
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Liegeman
A warrior bound by oath to serve and protect his lord, even unto death. This wasn't just a job - it was a sacred bond that defined a man's honor and identity in Anglo-Saxon society.
Modern Usage:
We see this loyalty in military units, police partnerships, or any workplace where people truly have each other's backs when things get dangerous.
Wergild
The blood-price paid to avoid a blood feud when someone was killed. It was a legal system that tried to stop endless cycles of revenge by putting a monetary value on human life.
Modern Usage:
Today's wrongful death lawsuits and insurance settlements serve the same purpose - money to settle grievances instead of violence.
Kinsman-slaying
The ultimate sin in Anglo-Saxon culture - killing your own family members. This was considered worse than any other crime because family bonds were sacred and killing kin destroyed the social fabric.
Modern Usage:
We still see this as the worst betrayal - family members who steal from elderly parents or abuse children are viewed with special disgust.
Death-song
A warrior's final words or reflection before death, meant to summarize their life and ensure their reputation lived on. It was their last chance to control how they'd be remembered.
Modern Usage:
Like final interviews, deathbed confessions, or social media posts from terminally ill people - the human need to have the last word on our own story.
Treasure-hoard
Not just wealth, but the physical proof of a king's success and his ability to reward followers. Gold meant security, loyalty, and legacy in a world without banks or pensions.
Modern Usage:
Like a CEO's stock options or a retiree's 401k - tangible proof that all the work and sacrifice actually led to something valuable.
Battle-sharp
Weapons kept razor-sharp and ready for combat. In a world where your life depended on your blade, weapon maintenance was literally a matter of life and death.
Modern Usage:
Like keeping your skills sharp in a competitive job market, or maintaining your car so it won't break down when you need it most.
Characters in This Chapter
Wiglaf
Loyal warrior and heir
The only warrior brave enough to help Beowulf fight the dragon. He proves his worth through action, not words, and becomes the bridge between Beowulf's legacy and the future of the Geats.
Modern Equivalent:
The one coworker who actually stays late to help when everyone else makes excuses
Beowulf
Dying hero-king
Faces his final moments with dignity, reflecting on a life lived honorably. Even as poison courses through him, he thinks of his people's welfare and wants to see the treasure he's won for them.
Modern Equivalent:
The retiring boss who still worries about whether the company will be okay after they're gone
The Dragon
Deadly adversary
Represents the final, fatal challenge that tests Beowulf's courage one last time. Even in death, the dragon's poison ensures that victory comes at the ultimate cost.
Modern Equivalent:
The terminal diagnosis that forces someone to face their mortality with whatever courage they can muster
Key Quotes & Analysis
"So a liegeman should prove him, a thaneman when needed."
Context: After Wiglaf helps Beowulf kill the dragon, risking his own life
This line captures the essence of true loyalty - not just words or promises, but showing up when it actually matters. Wiglaf proves his worth through action when everyone else abandoned their king.
In Today's Words:
That's what real loyalty looks like - being there when it counts, not just when it's easy.
"He never sought unnecessary conflict, kept his word, and avoided treachery."
Context: Beowulf reflecting on his fifty-year reign as he lies dying
This is Beowulf's moral inventory - what matters to him isn't just his victories, but how he conducted himself. He takes pride in being trustworthy and avoiding the backstabbing that destroyed other leaders.
In Today's Words:
I didn't start fights I didn't have to, I kept my promises, and I didn't stab people in the back.
"The wound then began which the earth-dwelling dragon erstwhile had wrought him to burn and to swell."
Context: As Beowulf realizes the dragon's bite is fatal
The poison spreading through Beowulf's body represents how some victories come at costs we only understand later. Sometimes winning still means losing everything.
In Today's Words:
That's when the bite started really hurting, burning and swelling up inside him.
Thematic Threads
Leadership
In This Chapter
Beowulf measures his reign by his character—keeping promises, avoiding unnecessary conflict, protecting his people—rather than by his victories or wealth
Development
Evolution from young warrior seeking glory to mature king focused on integrity and service
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when evaluating your own leadership style at work, in your family, or in your community
Legacy
In This Chapter
Beowulf's final satisfaction comes from knowing he ruled justly and never betrayed those who trusted him, creating a legacy of integrity
Development
Introduced here as the culmination of a lifetime of choices
In Your Life:
You might feel this when considering what you want to be remembered for by your children, coworkers, or community
Sacrifice
In This Chapter
Victory over the dragon costs Beowulf his life, but he finds meaning in knowing his sacrifice protects his people and wins them treasure
Development
Consistent throughout—heroism requires personal cost, but meaning comes from purpose beyond self
In Your Life:
You might face this when choosing between personal comfort and doing what's right for others who depend on you
Loyalty
In This Chapter
Wiglaf's unwavering support in battle and tender care in Beowulf's final moments demonstrates true loyalty beyond convenience
Development
Contrasts with the cowardice of other warriors, highlighting loyalty's rarity and value
In Your Life:
You might recognize this in relationships where people stick by you during difficult times, not just good ones
Identity
In This Chapter
Beowulf's identity as a protector and just ruler remains intact even as his physical strength fails, showing character transcends circumstance
Development
Maturation from identity based on strength to identity based on service and integrity
In Your Life:
You might experience this when your circumstances change but your core values and sense of who you are remains steady
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does Beowulf focus on when he knows he's dying, and what does he NOT talk about?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Beowulf take pride in never killing his kinsmen, and what does this reveal about leadership in his world?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about people you know who are retiring, facing serious illness, or going through major life changes. What do they tend to focus on when reflecting on their lives?
application • medium - 4
If you had to perform your own 'legacy audit' right now, what questions would you ask yourself about how you've treated others?
application • deep - 5
What does Beowulf's final accounting teach us about what humans really value when everything else is stripped away?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Design Your Character Audit
Create your own version of Beowulf's legacy questions. Write 3-5 questions you could ask yourself regularly to check whether you're living with integrity. Focus on how you treat others, keep promises, and handle power or influence in your relationships, work, or community. These should be questions that would matter to you in your final moments.
Consider:
- •What promises or commitments do you make regularly, and how well do you keep them?
- •When you have power or influence over others (as a parent, supervisor, friend), how do you use it?
- •What would the people closest to you say about your character and trustworthiness?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you had to choose between what was easy and what was right. How did you decide, and how do you feel about that choice now? What does this tell you about the kind of person you want to be?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 38: The Final Gift and Last Words
What lies ahead teaches us to find meaning in sacrifice when facing your own mortality, and shows us passing on your values and legacy to the next generation. These patterns appear in literature and life alike.