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Theme Of Kinship In Beowulf

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An important aspect of the story of Beowulf is the value of kinship. During Beowulf’s final battle against the dragon, all but one of his once faithful followers abandon him. Wiglaf, his nephew, stays to protect the king from the beast because Beowulf had been kind and given Wiglaf many gifts and honors. Devoted to his king, Wiglaf risks his own life to save his king, his shield burning in the flames, no doubt injuring him, too, in the process. He bares the pain of the fire until his king can regain himself. In order to protect his king, Wiglaf risks his entire being. The noble altruism he performs signifies his true faithfulness to King Beowulf and places emphasis on the value of kinship in the Anglo-Saxon

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