Summary
Wiglaf ventures into the dragon's treasure-filled den, finding ancient gold, cups, helmets, and weapons scattered throughout the cavern. The dragon is dead, killed by Beowulf's final blow. Wiglaf gathers as much treasure as he can carry and rushes back to his dying king. He finds Beowulf barely alive, blood flowing from his wounds. When Beowulf sees the treasure, his face lights up with joy—not from greed, but from knowing his people will be provided for after his death. In his final moments, Beowulf gives Wiglaf specific instructions: build a great burial mound on the coast that sailors can see from far away, so his name and deeds will be remembered. He removes his golden ring, helmet, and armor, passing them to Wiglaf as symbols of leadership. With his last breath, Beowulf tells Wiglaf he is the final survivor of their royal bloodline and that fate has called all his kinsmen to glory. This isn't just a death scene—it's a masterclass in how to face your end with dignity and purpose. Beowulf transforms his death from a tragedy into a victory by ensuring his sacrifice has meaning. He secures treasure for his people, establishes his legacy, and passes leadership to someone worthy. His final act shows that true heroism isn't about living forever, but about making your life count for something bigger than yourself.
Coming Up in Chapter 39
With Beowulf dead and the treasure secured, Wiglaf must now face the hardest task of all—returning to tell the Geats that their great king is gone. How do you deliver news that will change everything?
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An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 736 words)
WIGLAF PLUNDERS THE DRAGON'S DEN.--BEOWULF'S DEATH.
{Wiglaf fulfils his lord's behest.}
Then heard I that Wihstan's son very quickly,
These words being uttered, heeded his liegelord
Wounded and war-sick, went in his armor,
His well-woven ring-mail, 'neath the roof of the barrow.
5 Then the trusty retainer treasure-gems many
{The dragon's den.}
Victorious saw, when the seat he came near to,
Gold-treasure sparkling spread on the bottom,
Wonder on the wall, and the worm-creature's cavern,
The ancient dawn-flier's, vessels a-standing,
10 Cups of the ancients of cleansers bereavèd,
Robbed of their ornaments: there were helmets in numbers,
Old and rust-eaten, arm-bracelets many,
Artfully woven. Wealth can easily,
Gold on the sea-bottom, turn into vanity[1]
15 Each one of earthmen, arm him who pleaseth!
And he saw there lying an all-golden banner
High o'er the hoard, of hand-wonders greatest,
Linkèd with lacets: a light from it sparkled,
That the floor of the cavern he was able to look on,
{The dragon is not there.}
20 To examine the jewels. Sight of the dragon
[94] Not any was offered, but edge offcarried him.
{Wiglaf bears the hoard away.}
Then I heard that the hero the hoard-treasure plundered,
The giant-work ancient reaved in the cavern,
Bare on his bosom the beakers and platters,
25 As himself would fain have it, and took off the standard,
The brightest of beacons;[2] the bill had erst injured
(Its edge was of iron), the old-ruler's weapon,
Him who long had watched as ward of the jewels,
Who fire-terror carried hot for the treasure,
30 Rolling in battle, in middlemost darkness,
Till murdered he perished. The messenger hastened,
Not loth to return, hurried by jewels:
Curiosity urged him if, excellent-mooded,
Alive he should find the lord of the Weders
35 Mortally wounded, at the place where he left him.
'Mid the jewels he found then the famous old chieftain,
His liegelord belovèd, at his life's-end gory:
He thereupon 'gan to lave him with water,
Till the point of his word piercèd his breast-hoard.
40 Beowulf spake (the gold-gems he noticed),
{Beowulf is rejoiced to see the jewels.}
The old one in sorrow: "For the jewels I look on
Thanks do I utter for all to the Ruler,
Wielder of Worship, with words of devotion,
The Lord everlasting, that He let me such treasures
45 Gain for my people ere death overtook me.
Since I've bartered the agèd life to me granted
For treasure of jewels, attend ye henceforward
{He desires to be held in memory by his people.}
The wants of the war-thanes; I can wait here no longer.
The battle-famed bid ye to build them a grave-hill,
50 Bright when I'm burned, at the brim-current's limit;
As a memory-mark to the men I have governed,
[95] Aloft it shall tower on Whale's-Ness uprising,
That earls of the ocean hereafter may call it
Beowulf's barrow, those who barks ever-dashing
55 From a distance shall drive o'er the darkness of waters."
{The hero's last gift}
The bold-mooded troop-lord took from his neck then
The ring that was golden, gave to his liegeman,
The youthful war-hero, his gold-flashing helmet,
His collar and war-mail, bade him well to enjoy them:
{and last words.}
60 "Thou art latest left of the line of our kindred,
Of Wægmunding people: Weird hath offcarried
All of my kinsmen to the Creator's glory,
Earls in their vigor: I shall after them fare."
'Twas the aged liegelord's last-spoken word in
65 His musings of spirit, ere he mounted the fire,
The battle-waves burning: from his bosom departed
His soul to seek the sainted ones' glory.
[1] The word 'oferhígian' (2767) being vague and little understood,
two quite distinct translations of this passage have arisen. One takes
'oferhígian' as meaning 'to exceed,' and, inserting 'hord' after
'gehwone,' renders: _The treasure may easily, the gold in the ground,
exceed in value every hoard of man, hide it who will._ The other takes
'oferhígian' as meaning 'to render arrogant,' and, giving the sentence
a moralizing tone, renders substantially as in the body of this work.
(Cf. 28_13 et seq.)
[2] The passage beginning here is very much disputed. 'The bill of the
old lord' is by some regarded as Beowulf's sword; by others, as that
of the ancient possessor of the hoard. 'Ær gescód' (2778), translated
in this work as verb and adverb, is by some regarded as a compound
participial adj. = _sheathed in brass_.Master this chapter. Complete your experience
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Legacy Leadership
Effective leaders use transitions and endings to deliberately empower successors rather than clinging to control.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when leadership transitions will succeed or fail based on how power is transferred.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when someone leaves a position—do they hoard knowledge or share it, badmouth their replacement or endorse them, focus on their grievances or their successor's needs?
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Retainer
A loyal follower bound by oath to serve a lord or king, usually a warrior who fights alongside their leader. In Anglo-Saxon society, this relationship was sacred - retainers were expected to die before abandoning their lord.
Modern Usage:
We see this loyalty in close-knit work teams, military units, or anyone who stands by their boss or friend through thick and thin.
Hoard
A treasure collection accumulated over time, often guarded fiercely. In this story, the dragon's hoard represents both material wealth and the power that comes with it.
Modern Usage:
People still hoard things they think will give them security - money, possessions, even information or social connections.
Legacy
What you leave behind after you're gone - your reputation, achievements, and impact on others. For Anglo-Saxon warriors, legacy was more important than life itself.
Modern Usage:
We all want to be remembered for something meaningful, whether it's the kids we raised, the work we did, or how we treated people.
Succession
The process of passing power or responsibility from one leader to the next. Beowulf formally passes his authority to Wiglaf through symbols and spoken commands.
Modern Usage:
This happens in family businesses, when managers retire, or when parents teach their kids to take over responsibilities.
Blood-price
The idea that a life lost must be paid for, either through revenge or compensation. Beowulf's death fighting the dragon pays the price for his people's safety.
Modern Usage:
We still believe some sacrifices are worth it - parents working dangerous jobs to provide for kids, or soldiers risking their lives for their country.
Burial mound
A raised earthwork built over a grave to mark an important person's resting place and keep their memory alive. These were landmarks that told stories to future generations.
Modern Usage:
We do this with monuments, named buildings, or even social media profiles that stay up after someone dies.
Characters in This Chapter
Wiglaf
Loyal retainer and heir
The only warrior who stayed to help Beowulf fight the dragon. Now he's gathering treasure and preparing to lead the people after his king dies.
Modern Equivalent:
The reliable second-in-command who steps up when the boss can't
Beowulf
Dying king and hero
In his final moments, he's not thinking about himself but about his people's future. He's making sure they'll be provided for and that leadership passes to someone worthy.
Modern Equivalent:
The family patriarch making sure everything's taken care of before they go
Key Quotes & Analysis
"Wealth can easily, Gold on the sea-bottom, turn into vanity Each one of earthmen"
Context: As Wiglaf sees all the treasure in the dragon's cave
This reminds us that material wealth means nothing if you're dead. The dragon hoarded all this gold but couldn't enjoy it or use it to help anyone.
In Today's Words:
Money's useless if you can't take it with you or do something good with it while you're here
"The brightest of beacons"
Context: Describing the golden banner Wiglaf takes from the hoard
The banner represents hope and victory. Wiglaf isn't just grabbing random treasure - he's taking symbols that will inspire and unite the people.
In Today's Words:
He grabbed the most important symbol of their victory
"As himself would fain have it"
Context: Wiglaf choosing which treasures to bring back to Beowulf
Wiglaf knows his dying king well enough to pick exactly what would matter most to him. This shows the deep bond between them and Wiglaf's wisdom as a future leader.
In Today's Words:
He knew exactly what his boss would want to see
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Beowulf elevates Wiglaf from warrior to king through ceremonial transfer of royal symbols
Development
Throughout the epic, class has been earned through deeds rather than birth—this culminates in merit-based succession
In Your Life:
You might see this when a mentor at work chooses to elevate you based on your actions rather than your credentials
Identity
In This Chapter
Beowulf defines himself not by what he's losing but by what he's leaving behind for his people
Development
His identity has evolved from glory-seeker to protector—now it becomes legacy-builder
In Your Life:
You experience this when you realize your worth isn't just personal achievement but the positive impact you have on others
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Beowulf fulfills the ultimate expectation of a king—ensuring his people's future welfare even in death
Development
The social contract between ruler and ruled reaches its completion through his final sacrifice
In Your Life:
You face this when people depend on you to follow through on commitments even when it costs you personally
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Wiglaf grows from follower to leader through Beowulf's deliberate mentorship in crisis
Development
Growth through trial by fire becomes growth through intentional development
In Your Life:
You experience this when someone trusts you with real responsibility during a difficult situation
Human Relationships
In This Chapter
The bond between Beowulf and Wiglaf transcends death through the transfer of legacy and purpose
Development
Relationships built on mutual respect and shared values prove stronger than blood ties
In Your Life:
You see this in relationships where people invest in your future success even when they won't benefit from it
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What specific actions does Beowulf take in his final moments, and what does each action accomplish for his people?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Beowulf focus on securing treasure and establishing his legacy rather than dwelling on his pain or fear of death?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen someone handle a major transition well by focusing on what they were passing on rather than what they were losing?
application • medium - 4
If you knew you had limited time in your current role or situation, what specific steps would you take to ensure your work or influence continues?
application • deep - 5
What does Beowulf's approach to dying reveal about the difference between holding power and transferring it effectively?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Design Your Handoff Plan
Think of a role, responsibility, or relationship you currently have that you might need to transition away from someday (job, parenting role, community position, etc.). Create a specific plan for how you would transfer your knowledge and authority to ensure continuity and success after you're gone.
Consider:
- •What knowledge or wisdom do you possess that others would need to know?
- •Who would be the right person to receive this responsibility and why?
- •What symbols or actions would signal your endorsement and support of the transition?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone handed something important over to you well, or poorly. What did they do that helped or hindered your success in taking on that responsibility?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 39: Wiglaf's Fury and Coward's Shame
Moving forward, we'll examine loyalty is tested when the stakes are highest, and understand confronting cowardice in others requires courage. These insights bridge the gap between classic literature and modern experience.