Among the waiting eleven men who can all see the progress of the fight, one is a close kinsman of Beowulf. We do not know the exact relationship they have; Wiglaf (wee-lahf) is not of Hrethel’s family, but he is related to Beowulf. He could be two generations younger, related on the side of Beowulf’s father. Perhaps he is a grand-nephew, the grandson of a sister or brother. The sons of a sister had a special relationship to their uncle; Beowulf may have helped raise and educate Wiglaf.
Out of all the fighting men, Wiglaf feels the greatest responsibility toward Beowulf, and although Beowulf’s parting instructions have been enough to keep him sidelined at first, now he stands up to fight. He tells the men around him that they had all taken mead together, and all promised to uphold their King. It was for their extra-hardy loyalty that they were chosen for this last journey! Wiglaf scolds the others for bearing gift-weapons while forgetting, in their panic, the oaths that occasioned the gifts. “I would much prefer,” he says, “that the flames should enfold my body alongside my gift-giving lord.” (2651-2)
The words are no sooner out of his mouth than the other ten have fled to the woods, hoping to hide from the dragon’s eventual wrath. Like the Danes who saw blood in the water and assumed Beowulf’s death, these Geats see him stumbling and assume that he will fail.
Wiglaf is very young, or else the Geats have been at peace for many years, for we learn that this is the first time he has stood up beside his King in battle. In spite of this inexperience, he draws his sword and walks down toward the dragon. His wooden shield is quickly burned up, and his chain-mail is useless (in fact, it is probably worse than useless, since it would become very hot). Wiglaf’s main help seems to be supporting the shield that Beowulf is becoming too weak to hold.
Now Beowulf, encouraged and perhaps physically supported, is able to stand up and deliver the final blow, sending his sword into the dragon’s skull. The dying dragon, however, is able to bite Beowulf’s exposed neck. In spite of their reciprocal wounds, they continue to fight for a few last blows. Wiglaf is able to strike lower, into the dragon’s abdomen, which begins to drain its firepower. Beowulf, weakened from blood-loss but still focusing all his energy and concentration on the fight, is able to stab the dying dragon again, and at last the dragon falls and is still.