The Role of Wiglaf in Beowulf Essay -- Beowulf Wiglaf Essays

The Role of Wiglaf in Beowulf Seemingly minor character Wiglaf plays a central role in the conclusion of Beowulf. A young knight who has never before seen battle, Wiglaf steps forward to help his lord, hero, and cousin Beowulf in a time of peril. With his failure in battle and resulting death, the narrator shows that Beowulf is, after all, a prideful and mortal being; thus begins the transfer of heroic status from the old king to the young knight. The narrator argues that Wiglaf is worthy of his abruptly acquired status even though his intentions may seem questionable. The end of the poem devotes a significant amount of lines to dialogue spoken by Wiglaf, signifying his newly crucial role in his kingdom and in the story. Inevitably, the noble youth progresses to a position of epic heroism, continuing Beowulf’s legacy and fulfilling his figurative role as the â€Å"treasure†¦won,/ bought and paid for by Beowulf’s death† (2843-2844). Beowulf’s strength fails him for the first time when he confronts the dragon. As he loses the futile battle that he pridefully insists on fighting alone, the narrative breaks from Beowulf’s peril and focuses on Wiglaf. With â€Å"wise and fluent words,† (2632) Wiglaf delivers a monologue in the poem rivaled in length and power by Beowulf alone. Clearly, Wiglaf has something profound to add to the story as the narrator spends considerable time quoting his sentiments while Beowulf is trying to slay an angry dragon in the background. Like the knight in The Wanderer, Wiglaf recounts the happy days in the mead hall with longing, and wishes to serve his lord with all his strength. Without Beowulf, the knights would be displaced, lonely, and without purpose. To inspire his comra... ...m â€Å"big and brave† (2837). Wiglaf has truly lived up to the poet’s and to Beowulf’s expectations. Upon Beowulf’s death, he says, â€Å"I give thanks / that I behold this treasure here in front of me, / that I have been allowed to leave my people / so well endowed† (2795-2798). As most of the gold ends up burning on the king’s funeral pyre, it is likely that the treasure Beowulf speaks of is Wiglaf, himself. The young knight has proven his abilities and will certainly serve his people well. The poet explains that â€Å"the treasure had been won, / bought and paid for by Beowulf’s death† (2843-2844). Wiglaf rises to the most significant role in the poem, as he achieves a level of heroism matched only by Beowulf in his younger years. He proves to be the treasure that compensates the king’s death, filling the resulting void in his kingdom and in the narrative.

The Wealth Beneath Your Feet

SOIL LAB: The Wealth Beneath Your Feet Purpose: To determine potential growth based on tests of physical characteristics such as pH, fertility and consistency. Pre-Lab: TO start off our investigation, we had to gather soil. Our group decided to get it from below a tree, right next to the trunk. In terms on fertility, we rated our soil to be a 4 (1 being the least fertile, 10 being the most). We rated it rather high because it was in a place where it had not been tampered with making it better than others. Also, it was quite dark and matched up very well with diagrams online of fertile soil. (http://www. enchantedlearning. com/geology/soil/) TEST ONE: Collection of Soil and Observation of Soil Profile The first layer (O) we observed is the top layer, a layer of organic soil. It is made up of humus and leaf sediment. Below that (A) comes the topsoil. This is where seeds sprout and other plants roots grow. This layer is also made up of humus, but here are other mineral particles as well. Next is the eluviation layer (E). This layer contains mostly sand and silt. It is the eluviation layer because of the process that takes place here where minerals are lost as well as clay because of water dripping through the soil. The subsoil layer is next (B). This layer is made up of clay and mineral substances, it receives from the eater being dripped during the form the eluviation process eluviation process. ,Regoliath (C) lies beneath and is mostly just broken up bedrock. Lastly is the actual bedrock layer (R), essentially just unweathered rock.

Racial Disparity in Native Son and Go Tell It on the Mountain

Racial Disparity in Native Son and Go Tell It on the Mountain Native Son and Go Tell It on the Mountain are clearly social critiques of the black experience in conflicts with white dominated society. They are powerful works of literature; media formulated to spark social awareness and illuminate the racial disparity in American society. Both pieces present the necessity for change not only in the African-American community but also in all of society in hopes to end racial prejudice and inequality. Although Baldwin and Wrights messages of reform are similar, each presents differing avenues for achieving that change. They deliver significantly opposing messages of dealing with the rage that oppression and hate generates. James†¦show more content†¦It is a message about changing the individuals heart before attempting to change others. Baldwin saw that it was impossible to the overcome hate with more hate. It was his own belief that his #8230;real life, was in danger, and not from anything other people might do but from the hatred that [he] carried in [his] own heart. The choices are simple: either attempt to change the world or change the individual. In Native Son, Bigger is so lost in his own rage that it allows him to commit horrible crimes without remorse. It is not Richard Wrights intention to create a hero in Bigger Thomas but a sympathetic character trapped by white society into committing his acts of violence. Wright wants the reader to understand that in a world of injustice it may take that same injustice to open peoples narrow minds. Bigger and the society that he lives in, allots him few options for progress. Like many in the real world, Bigger chooses to break through white structured choices with violence. He finds an empowerment like never experienced. 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