Poems that are written in the epic tradition and contain an epic hero almost always involve the transition from an older hero to a newer younger hero. This aspect of epic poetry is very common and there is a great example found in the passages of Beowulf that we read. The author takes Beowulf through his life up until his tragic end when he is defeated by the dragon and at that point in the …
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…many virtues of character with Beowulf which made him a worthy and distinguished successor of Beowulf. Wiglaf proves himself for the most part in the one scene when Beowulf fights the dragon because that is the first and only scene that Wiglaf is mentioned. Throughout that scene though Wiglaf proves himself as being the only acceptable replacement as an epic hero and he displays how many characteristics he shares with Beowulf as an epic hero.