The hero’s journey is a narrative pattern that is found in a great deal of media across various cultures. Joshua Campbell made this idea come to life. The hero’s journey is also known and interchangeable with the monomyth. This formula for writing was developed based on seventeen stages Campbell noticed in many heroes’ journeys to heroism. As this style of writing has spread, many characters have formed with it. The poem Beowulf fits the characteristics of Joseph Campbell's monomyth pattern. Joseph Campbell detected commonalities in stories in many parts of cultures, which led him to develop the concept of the "monomyth" or "hero's journey." This narrative unfolds in three principal stages: Departure, Initiation, and Return. Each stage is saturated …show more content…
Which then leads Hrothgar to ask for help. Beowulf, a young German warrior known for his great deal of strength, readily accepted the challenge. He willfully voyages across the sea to Denmark, leaving a safe place in the unknown. These two actions, the call to adventure and crossing the threshold, both correspond to the monomyth's first stage: the departure. The second stage of the monomyth is the initiation. In this phase, the hero faces challenges and tests, undergoes transformation, and acquires knowledge or treasure. In the poem, Beowulf faces a series of challenges and tests throughout his journey. He first confronts Grendel in a vicious battle, where his strength and resilience lead to Grendel’s defeat. He then dives into the dark deep sea to confront Grendel's mother and her sea monster. This underwater battle tests his courage and resourcefulness, ultimately leading to his victory. He is rewarded with everyone considering him a savior of the kingdom. Beowulf returns home to Geatland, which corresponds to the third and final stage of the monomyth; the …show more content…
This completes the monomyth transformation. The story of Beowulf does not perfectly fulfill all the characteristics of the monomyth. In the poem, Beowulf readily accepts the challenge of fighting Grendel. This goes against one of the characteristics of the monomyth, the refusal to accept the call. In modern hero stories, the hero called upon displays some initial reluctance or fear. However, Beowulf’s deviation from the monomyth can be explained by the Anglo-Saxon period when this poem was written. This shows his strong heroism, which was very important to Anglo-Saxons, a culture starting in the year 450. Beowulf is a Geatish warrior, he follows the path, from answering the call to adventure, facing fearsome battles, and returning a victorious hero. Being that the poem is from the Anglo-Saxon period it has a unique cultural context, but follows the stages of the monomyth. The poem has many of the characteristics that are part of the monomyth’s main stages of Departure, Initiation, and Return. The poem’s Anglo-Saxon period influence enhances Beowulf as a hero while still fitting the
In Beowulf, the protagonist Beowulf is shown as a hero with extrodinary strength. This is not what makes him a hero. By definition, a hero is a man of exceptional quality. However this term does not do Beowulf justice. His self-imposed purpose in life is to help others, and eventually sacrifices his own life in doing so. Beowulf’s battle with the dragon serves as a critique of the notion that Beowulf is a hero. The Dragon section displays many of Beowulf’s heoric characteristics. Beowulf establishes himself as a hero by fighting the dragon, exemplifing strength and courage when fighting the dragon, and sacrificing himself so that others can live.
When deciphering between what it considered to be heroic or monstrous, it is important to keep in mind the angle in which a story is being told. While reading Beowulf, the protagonist of the epic poem could be considered either heroic or monstrous through the eyes of different characters. Beowulf can be classified as a hero according to The Hero’s Journey through the eyes of Hrothgar and Hygelac. On the other hand, Beowulf could be viewed as being monstrous according to Monster Theory through the eyes of Unferth and Grendel’s Mother.
He is known as the son of “ A noble warrior- lord name Ecgtheow” or as “The Great leader”. Beowulf saying in a boastful manner to king Hrothgar of Denmark,“Because all knew of my awesome strength. They had see me bolstered in the blood of enemies when I battled and bound five beasts, Raided a troll-nest and in the night-sea slaughtered sea-brutes” (lines 417-421) from Beowulf: A New Verse Translation by Seamus Heaney. From this quote you see what Beowulf is know for. Which is being a archetypical hero. The archetypal hero usually has some form of journey known as the Hero’s Journey. Beowulf from Geatland is an archetypical hero because his story follows the steps of the Hero’s Journey.
Early in the poem, Beowulf hears accounts of Grendel’s destruction of Herot, Hrothgar’s majestic mead hall. Knowing his strength and military prowess, Beowulf immediately devises a plan, recruits men, and orders boats, thrusting himself into a battle that was not necessarily his to fight. Beowulf felt obligated to end Grendel’s reign of terror. Though he knew the death of Grendel would bring him fame and honor, the idealized Beowulf was able to set aside personal ambition in order to end the suffering of the Danes. Shortly after slaying Grendel, Beowulf again displays an awareness of duty when Grendel’s mother extracts revenge upon Herot, killing one of Hrothgar’s best men, Aeshere. Instead of leaving Herot in a state of frenzy, Beowulf comes to King Hrothgar’s side, pledging allegiance and service. Bolstering the defeated king’s moral, Beowulf boldly addresses the older King Hrothgar saying, “So arise, my lord, and let us immediately set forth on the trail of this troll-dam. I guarantee you: she will not get away, not to dens under ground nor upland groves nor the ocean floor. She’ll have nowhere to fall to. Endure your troubles to-day. Bear up and be the man I expect you to be.” Beowulf could not set aside his duty and obligation, though he knew full well the suffering and pain that might result from his actions. Thus, Beowulf is a portrait of
This demonstrates his boldness since he was the set out man toward the Geats. By picking the most grounded and boldest individuals, Beowulf mirrors that he himself more likely than not been considerably more valiant with a specific end goal to have the capacity to lead his honorable individuals. Thusly in picking the overcome men he did, not just did he demonstrate the amount more overcome he was, Beowulf additionally demonstrated that he was by a wide margin and epic saint. Beowulf had three huge phases of his life. The real battles changed his life until the end of time. Grendel, Grendel 's mother, and the mythical beast was the hardest adversaries, he ever needed to battle. The New York Times states "Beowulf" was an early love, and a sort of Rosetta Stone for his imaginative work. His investigation of the ballad, which he called "this most noteworthy of the surviving works of old English lovely workmanship," educated his reasoning about myth and dialect. I trust that Beowulf will never be overlooked in light of the fact that regardless it demonstrates the distinction amongst immaturity and senior
In Beowulf the poem, Beowulf is considered to be an epic hero, he is different than just a regular hero. At the time, except for the King, warriors were the most honored and respected. Throughout this poem the author expresses that Beowulf is a true epic hero. What makes an epic hero? An epic hero must undertake a quest to achieve something tremendous value to his nation, must be super-human, and protects his people and their ideals. Beowulf is one of the greatest warriors of all time to protect his nation and people, he is a perfect candidate of an epic hero.
Many people say that Beowulf was a great example of the Hero’s Journey, but many people also disagree that Beowulf was a great example of it. The Hero’s Journey consist of different stages the hero should overcome. In Beowulf, Beowulf had to overcome many difficult stages similar to the Hero’s Journey, but not just quite like it. In this essay I am going to discuss Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney and Excepts from Myth and the Movies, Stuart Voytillam Foreword by Christopher Vogler. Beowulf encounters many similar steps to the Hero’s Journey, but he never gets to fully complete the Hero’s Journey due to his failure to achieve peace. In “Beowulf” Beowulf was not able to complete the hero’s journey because of the time period, culture, and ignorant choices Beowulf took. The hero’s journey should help mold the hero who is on the journey by changing the inner character changes throughout the journey because of the surrounding events. Also in the hero’s journey once the hero completes the journey he is supposed to be recognized by the people he helped out and enjoy his life back at home. But in Beowulf this does not take place because once he completes the journey he does not learn from his mistakes, failures, and achievements that he faces while on the journey. The hero’s journey is supposed to teach and change the hero as they go through the adventures. In the hero’s journey the heroes purpose is to serve and sacrifice an answer or remedy that will help and could save one or many people’s lives. In “Beowulf,” Beowulf first receives a call to adventure from King Hrothgar and he agrees to the call of adventure to go to Denmark. When Beowulf accepts the call to adventure he skips a step of the hero’s journey as it is described as the ...
In this poem, Beowulf exhibits the trait of bravery by defeating the monster, Grendel. This monster was a very powerful monster that plagued the town of Herot. “He slipped through the door… Snatched up thirty men, smashed them/ Unknowing in their beds and ran out with their bodies/ The blood dripping behind him, back/ To his liar, delighted with his night’s slaughter. (11)”
There are many things to take into consideration when characterizing a person as a hero. Heros are typically seen as people who accomplish brave deeds and fulfill noble tasks for the greater good of things. In the epic poem Beowulf by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet a hero is revealed. What makes Beowulf a hero is his unbelievable strength and power. He does not get discouraged or let anything stear him away from what he feels needs to be done for the safety of others. In his battles with the monster Grendel, Grendel’s mother and the dragon Beowulf exhibits his strength and will to fight. Beowulf, is loyal to his people and his king. What I feel is the most important quality of Beowulf, though, is his willingness to risk his life for the good
An epic is a long narrative poem on a serious subject. It usually is about
Beowulf is an epic Old English poem from about a thousand year ago. Both the author and the date are left as a mystery (Lapidge, The Origins of Beowulf: From Vergil to Wiglaf). Scholars have been able to make a rough estimate as to when the poem was written, guessing that it was between 700 and 1000 A.D. The story is believed to have been passed down for a couple hundred years before it was written down (Lapidge, The Origins of Beowulf: From Vergil to Wiglaf). Beowulf is a story about one brave man’s journey to defeat a terrifying beast. The angered monster Grendel lives within the swampland of Heorot (Heaney, Beowulf). Heorot was created by King Hrothgar of Denmark, and is a mead hall where his men can relax, drink and celebrate their victories.
What does it mean to be a hero? Like anything else in this world, the definition of the word hero can be argued. Some may say that a hero can be passive, that is if he or she refrains from doing a certain action it makes them heroic. Others would argue that to be truly heroic the character must never turn tail and always face the obstacle head on even though he or she may die in the process. So is Beowulf a hero? Yes, Beowulf is a great epic hero, but his greatness comes only from his sword and not from his mind.
Hero's Journey Analysis The Hero’s Journey, often used by Joseph Campbell, is a common path adventurers take in stories. It shows up in almost every quality tale you see, whether it's from hundreds of years ago or published last month. Beowulf is a great example of this as it implements the hero’s journey into its story, yet it is known as one of the older stories in mythology. This essay will explain why this is true and how other novels and films are similar, such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Harry Potter. Beowulf’s story is a perfect example of the Hero’s Journey.
Day by day, individuals are faced with challenges that lead to extremes. People confront hurdles while achieving everything they are obligated to do. Every day, ordinary people are to some extent heroes. It is normal for people to face obstacles and barriers when performing their duty of duty. But within those people, the ones that do not quit due to their frustration are the real heroes.
Beowulf, written between the 8th and 10th centuries, is an epic poem set in southern Sweden. The poem illustrates the Anglo-Saxon’s strong belief in the heroic code. The loyalty between the warrior and his king bound the culture together. The warrior was the ultimate hero who represented strength and courage. Beowulf, the hero in the poem, illustrates the Germanic principles of the heroic code. Through the battles and character interactions, Beowulf converges loyalty, strength, courage and forgiveness into the hero archetype.