The Treasure
Is Wiglaf right or wrong to bury the dragon's treasure with Beowulf? Why?
posted by Natalie Grinnell @ 7:45 AM
12 comments
English Literature to 1800
This weblog is part of Natalie Grinnell's English 201: English Literature to 1800 course at Wofford College.
12 Comments:
I feel that Wiglaf was right to bury the treasure with Beowulf. Beowulf attempted to fight the dragon, the protector of the treasure, by himself and failed. In lines 3051 to 3057 the poet tells the reader that the treasure is enchanted and only God can give someone the permission to take the treasure. Wiglaf, believing that the treasure is enchanted and that God did not approve of Beowulf taking the treasure believes that it should not be taken. I feel that he buries it with Beowulf in order to stop anyone one else from attempting to steal it, the very action that caused the fight in the first place.
I think that Wiglaf did the wrong thing in burying the treasure with Beowulf. Surely burying some with him would have honored his spirit, but Wiglaf himself deserved some. Still, I wasn't sure what my answer would be until I read line 3058-3060:
'Then it was plain that the journey did not profit the one who had wrongfully hidden under a wall that great treasure.'
The one who they're talking about there is the dragon, but to bury Beowulf with all of the treasure seems, in my mind, very similar to what the Dragon did in his cave. He did not flaunt it, or spend it, or even enjoy it. It was hidden in a hole in the ground, just like it would be with Beowulf, and if I read the passage right, then the Geats did not approve of what the dragon was doing. (That may have even been one of the motivations for killing it, not just the fact that it had treasure but the fact that it was hordeing it and doing nothing with it.) If that's the case, then they shouldn't agree with Wiglaf's descision either.
I think that Wiglaf was right to bury the treasure. Beowulf lived in a society in which there was a greater emphasis placed on Christian virtues rather than materialism. Beowulf acted heroically, and I think that Wiglaf wanted people to pay more attention to his virtuous acts, rather than to the treasure. Also, earlier in the poem, the poet expresses concern that the issue of the treasure could ignite yet another feud. Perhaps Wiglaf recognized this and felt that burying the treasure was a good way to avoid more fighting.
I think that Wiglaf was right to bury the treasure with Beowulf because he had done so many good deeds for the Geats. He defeated many foes and always survived. This time, in the fight with the dragon, he perished; but not before he killed the one with the hoard of treasure. The kinsmen's deaths were avenged and Beowulf never stopped giving of his strength for his people. Since the fight with the dragon killed him, he deserves the spoils of the defeat.
the decision by wiglaf to bury beowolf with the dragon's treasures was the right thing to do. it showed the respect and loyalty that beowolf's people had for him and that he should be burried with the riches that were entitled to him. another example that is similar to this is the egyptians. they would burry their kings with riches and food and other luxuries. they did this for another reason but this proves that this was not the only time when a king was burried with riches.
Instinctiviely I want to say that Wiglaf was right to bury the treasure with Beowulf, because he was one of the few men to fight the dragon, and he won the treasure, but when he is dying he says that he wants his people to have the treasure. He has to know that his people didn't help him, but he still wants them to have the treasure. Wiglaf should have acknowledged Beowulf's wishes.
Beowulf had a great love for his people and I believe that he would have wanted them to take part in the treasure that came as spoils for his death. However, Wiglaf recognized the greed of the people and realized that dispersing the treasure amongst them may actually cause more problems than good. The greed of the dragon in some ways parallels the greed of the people; in burying the enchanted goods along with Beowulf, Wiglaf is attempting to save his people from the repercussions of greed. I believe he was correct in his decision.
I think that Wiglaf was wrong to bury the treasure with Beowulf. He fought the dragon to rid his people of the danger, but also to free the treasure. It is easier for him to die seeing the treasure he has bought with his life. I think Beowulf would rather the treasure be shared with his people and contributed to the wealth of his country.
During this time fighters, like Beowulf, were driven by the words of the Gods and by the desire to be remembered. In explaining his reasons to take on this task of the dragon, he describes in XXXIII that he holds the battle-armor of thirty other men, whom he has defeated already. Beowulf is not driven by greed or selfishness to want to take the treasure from the people. He is proud of his men that fight by his side and would want the treasure to be with his people. The success he has had as a warrior, having the thirty other men's armor and for his memory to go on is all he desires.
Wiglaf, I think, acted out of order. With many threats from other groups to his people, the treasure was the possibility o favoiding extinction. With Beowulf dead, fear of attacking disappears. Burying it is against the wishes of Beowulf, and a pending doom for the Geats. Beowulf seemed happy to know that he had freed the hoard, so to bury it again is against the will of a dying king. He died to save his people, having already earned himself glory and a name that would last, and this protection, Beowulf's last "gift" to his people is rejected by Wiglaf.
I think that Wiglaf is correct in burying the treasure with Beowulf. The treasure is a representation of Bowulf's glory and is a tribute to his ability to lead the people for 50 years. The treasure does not deserve to go to the cowards who ran when Beowulf needed their help.
By staying by Beowulf's side in battle against the dragon, Wiglaf displays the same courage that Beowulf displays. Though not asked, he fights until the end and risks his life, just as Beowulf did for Hrothgar. Because he is so virtuous, I trust Wiglaf's decision to bury the treasure. If he does not want the treasure, then no one else deserves it.
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