Beowulf is one of the oldest surviving English epic whose author is unknown. Written in England and set in Scandinavia, this epic is dated between the 8th century and 11th century. Today, it has been translated from the old Anglo-Saxon script into several languages including English. In school, I have studied the Burton Raffael version of Beowulf. Beowulf is the king of Geatland and I have written the following letter as if Beowulf is giving it to Wiglaf (his loyal soldier) just before he dies. This writing although not there in the epic was part of our English assignment...
To
Lieutenant Wiglaf
Date
30.08.0747
Dragon
house, Geats,
Scandinavia
Dear Wiglaf,
There
is always difference between a good king and a good warrior. This, you need
to know. A good warrior like you just needs to be brave, strong and smart but a
good king needs to show more qualities like a good leader, loyalty etc. You may be thinking – ‘Is that all?’ But Wiglaf, that’s not all. You
need to practice these, to fill up the little difference and become a good
king. As you know I am on the verge of death but I am still the king and can
still give orders. I can see the qualities in you which is why I order you to
become the king after I die. Take care of my subjects well. “You are the last
of all our far-flung family. Fate has swept our race away, taken warriors in
their strength and led them to the death that was waiting. And now I follow
them” (Raffael Lines 835-838) .
Lead
the Geats well – they are chickens who will follow only the king's orders.
Train them well for any battle ahead. We are the great and most powerful Geats.
You are the best of us all who has learnt true loyalty. I know the thoughts
racing through your mind. This loyalty is what you need to bring into all the
warriors; next is strength. Train them so hard that strength and loyalty fills
them and encompasses their mind and heart.
Always
be confident but never be overconfident. What is happening to me now is nothing
but the punishment for being overconfident. I always thought that no one
can win against me but the dragon proved it wrong. No confidence will get you
no power while confidence will get you required power. Always keep this in
mind.
I always had a habit of boasting which
although gives you confidence may lead to some opposition against you from your
subjects. I always thought “I've never known fear” (Raffael Line
624) , due to which I had this problem of
opposition from Unferth; but I always dealt with it accordingly. Only after I
fought over Grendel did Unferth get trust over me. “No Dane doubted over the
victory” (Raffael Lines 407-408) . We know that only
the best of us Geats will survive the blows to their lives. Train them well as
I told you before because only the strongest and bravest will win the hearts of
theirs subjects as I told you about Unferth. You should never lose your
confidence when opposed. I want the next Beowulf, the next Wiglaf who are
capable enough to handle our kingdom.
Always take the help of your fellow
warriors if they volunteer. I never did; and I missed the opportunity of
killing a beast with a companion until you helped me kill the dragon. I owe you
the little life left in me. I would always say “Wait for me close by” (Raffael Line
641) ,
and shake off all the loyal warriors who did wish to help me. What is happening
to me now is just the punishment for what I did not do.
Wiglaf,
not only strength is important but you need some capabilities in you, which
can win the heart of our subjects. It is not possible by mere strength but by
good use of strength. Never use the strength for evil purposes but only to free
the kingdom of evil monsters and for defence from other kingdoms. I helped the
Danes just because they were very helpless! I “had killed Grendel, ended the
grief, the sorrow, the suffering forced on Hrothgar's helpless people by a
bloodthirsty fiend.” (Raffael Lines 404-407) . I have always
followed this to become a prosperous king and lead a happy life among my
subjects.
Always
be fair whether it is to rage a war or it is to settle peace. I was always fair
and hence fate would always be with me. Do you remember what I said before
fighting with the dragon “I'd use no sword, no weapon, if this beast could be
killed without it, crushed to death like Grendel, gripped in my hands and torn
limb from limb. But his breath will be burning hot, poison will pour from his
tongue. I feel no shame, with shield and sword and armour, against this
monster” (Raffael Lines 630-636) . Believe in fate,
there is no God but at the same time never lose your confidence.
I
am a king and I knew the difficulties I had to handle – the problems of
subjects and personal matters too. Don't think your subjects as unknown and
don't let them down but take care of each and every problem of theirs. Never
take advantage that you hold the great throne of the Geats, instead help your
subjects and give them an equally prosperous life as yours. This is a value of our
culture which you should never forget. At the same time, always be optimistic
and don't just go around trying to kill monsters which I did. It is very dumb
to do that because we would never know how strong our opponent is. They may
look as thin as a stick but may have the power of a dinosaur! But still, good
will always win over evil.
Never
help others for either fame or money. When you help your subjects and other
kingdoms, you will get trust and love and automatically fame. What is important
for a good king is the love and trust of their subjects, which is why I helped
the Danes to become free from the two murderous beasts – Grendel and his awful
mother. Keep reading this point until it gets into your brain. Grendel, his
mother and the dragon were all menaces to some or the other kingdom which is
why they had to be finished.
Bye
Wiglaf! I am going leaving this wonderful kingdom of mine in your hands. It
needs a good leader like you. I have one last wish “Have the brave Geats build
me a tomb, When the funeral flames have burned me, and build it here at the
water's edge, high on this spit of land, so sailors can see this tower, and
remember my name, and call it Beowulf's tower, and boats in the darkness and
mist, crossing the sea, will know it.” (Raffael Lines 823-830) . Never forget me and
my advice. Take care of the kingdom well, I will always guide you...
Your Dear King,
Beowulf
-Suhas
20/3/14
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