Grey-haired Soldier Character Analysis in The Buried Giant

A soldier of Lord Brennus who is sent to look for Wistan and kill him. When he does find Wistan, the soldier does not recognize him at first and Wistan is able to get away. However, the soldier soon remembers and follows him. When he finds Wistan the second time, they get in an argument and he and Wistan duel. Wistan slays him, and Sir Gawain buries his body.

Grey-haired Soldier Character Timeline in The Buried Giant

The timeline below shows where the character Grey-haired Soldier appears in The Buried Giant. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

War, Peace, Vengeance, and Forgiveness Theme Icon

Although they’re not wearing chainmail, it is obvious that the three men are trained soldiers, and one of them, the grey-haired soldier, is apparently in charge. Walking up to them,... (full context)

Axl comments that the soldiers must be busy and again tells them that he and his group just want to... (full context)

...Edwin calling to them from the road and then they hear hooves approaching. The grey-haired soldier from the bridge appears and greets Sir Gawain. Wistan resumes acting like a mute and... (full context)

Axl explains to the grey-haired soldier that he doesn’t think the Saxons he’s traveling with are the ones the soldier is... (full context)

The grey-haired soldier tells Sir Gawain that Wistan is here to slay Querig, which alarms Sir Gawain. Wistan... (full context)

Turning away from the dead soldier, Wistan tells Sir Gawain that the Saxon king has also received word that Lord Brennus... (full context)

Lying in the dark in the monastery, Axl feels sorry for the grey-haired soldier and suddenly remembers being on horseback behind a man named Harvey, whose entire posture “announced... (full context)