Wiglaf versus Unferth in Beowulf In the heroic poem Beowulf, not only does Wiglaf demonstrate the importance of heroism to society and the necessity of loyalty to one's kinsman and lord, but he also sets the context for the last part of the poem. Unferth, on the other hand, presents a brutal challenge to the hero, which is not without precedent in heroic poetry, and thus becomes in the public eye a kind of villainous type. Let us first consider the nobler of the two. As readers of Beowulf, we all know that at the most crucial moment in the story, when the hero's life is endangered by the dragon to such an extent that it has never been threatened before, the A loyal thane who comes to help the hero is Wiglaf. composed of nobles, hand-picked comrades, his troop stands around him with fighting courage: they fled towards the woods to save their lives. Only one felt shame and sorrow. Nothing can ever retain kinship in a right-thinking man. His name was Wiglaf, the son of Weohstan, a worthy shield-bearer, Prince Scylfing, (2593 ff.). Why is Wiglaf called a “Swedish prince” here? George Clark, in his “Traditions and Poems,” says that the Waegmunding, to whom Beowulf and Wiglaf belonged, had both Geatish and Swedish affiliations (35). Beowulf apparently restored Wiglaf's rights and heritage among the Geats. Parent of Aelfhere; saw his lord tortured by the heat behind his battle mask. He remembered the honors he had given him before, the rich farm of the Waegmunding clan, the shares of common land his father had held, and he could not hold back. . His hand grasps the shield made of yellow lime wood; he drew his sword, known to men as the legacy of Enmund, (2604ff.) In "The Old Kings", George Clark explains how Wiglaf makes the scene in Beowulf: Wiglaf emerges from an obscure band of Geatish warriors who accompany Beowulf to the dragon's lair. . . Although he enters the story abruptly, Wiglaf becomes Beowulf's only loyal follower. . . . Wiglaf is described as the son of the famous warrior Weohstan, who played an important role in the dynastic wars of the Swedes and Geats..