Book 3:
1. An aged Beowulf tells his eleven young comrades that he alone will fight the dragon. Gareth Hinds
illustrates the young men looking down from a cliff above as Beowulf first challenges the dragon and
then falls down under the force of its fiery breath. In a wordless exchange, we see a fallen Beowulf look
up as all but one of his men run away. The one unnamed warrior attempts to rally the others and
unflinchingly joins Beowulf with just a wooden shield for defense. Over the next several pages, we see
the positive effects of this brave young man's loyalty and assistance, yet Gareth Hinds does not name
him until after the dragon is dead and Beowulf dying. Why do you think the author-illustrator leaves
Wiglat, whom the childless Beowulf ultimately declares his heir, unnamed until after the main action
has resolved?