In the epic poem Beowulf, Wiglaf is the only one of Beowulf's men who stands by him in the battle against the dragon, while the other warriors flee out of fear. Wiglaf's loyalty and bravery are highlighted in this scene.
Beowulf's men are initially scared and abandon him in fear, except for one loyal warrior named Wiglaf who stays by Beowulf's side to help him fight the dragon.
He got killed
Beowulf's loyal thane is Wiglaf. He is the only warrior who stays by Beowulf's side during the battle with the dragon and ultimately helps him defeat the monster. Wiglaf displays unwavering loyalty and bravery in supporting Beowulf until the very end.
They cremate Beowulf's body on a funeral pyre as per his request. Beowulf had asked to have his remains burned and be placed in a tower by the sea as a memorial for his people to remember him.
Beowulf's followers are called traitors and cowards because they abandoned him in his moment of need when he faced the dragon alone. They acted out of fear and self-preservation rather than standing by their leader, which was seen as a betrayal of their loyalty and bravery.
Beowulf becomes king of the Geats and rules for fifty years before facing his final battle against a dragon. Despite his age and the challenges he faces, Beowulf ultimately emerges victorious but is mortally wounded in the process. He dies shortly after, leaving his kingdom in the hands of Wiglaf.
Beowulf was helped by several individuals, including Wiglaf, the last surviving warrior who aided him in defeating the dragon. Additionally, his loyal followers and fellow Geats supported him in his quest to rid the land of monsters.
Beowulf`s fatal flaw is hubris. Without such excessive pride, he would not have recognized his old age and not fought the dragon on his own. See the related links section below for more about his hubris.
Beowulf's victories in battle against monstrous adversaries like Grendel and the dragon symbolize his extraordinary prowess, skill, and courage. His willingness to face these challenges head-on, as well as his physical strength and strategic thinking, further demonstrate his exceptional abilities as a warrior.
The significance of Beowulf's last fight with the dragon was that he knew of is impending death. He kills the dragon and realized the bite he received in battle is also fatal. He passes the torch of his warrior legacy to Wiglaf. The knowledge of the existence of the treasure to be passed on to his people also eases his passage to the other world.
Beowulf's men deserted him when he faced the dragon because they were overcome by fear. The dragon was a formidable opponent and they likely felt powerless against it. Additionally, they may have believed that Beowulf was doomed in the fight and chose to save their own lives instead.