Beowulf Hero's Journey Essay

The Anglo-Saxon Beowulf and Dante Alighieri's Dante's Inferno are both epic poems which are still widely read, and in both works, the protagonist experiences a journey. In most ways, however, these two poems and these two journeys are nothing alike. These to text are based on a hero’s journey but they have a couple of things that aren’t the same. A hero’s journey describes the typical adventure of the archetype known as The Hero, the person who goes out and achieves great deeds on behalf of the group, tribe, or civilization. Both Poems are very alike but there is things in their journey that set them apart.
Through both poems the basic difference between the hero’s journeys is very evident that these two characters- Beowulf and Dante- are

vastly different in both physical and mental characteristics. Beowulf is portrayed as a blood-thirsty warrior determined to kill all who cross his path. It is evident through his life that Beowulf focus himself mostly with issues regarding strength and bravery as he makes his way through towns slaying monsters and demons. Beowulf regales the Danes with the story of his swimming race with Brecca. Within this single time Beowulf not only swims hundreds of miles in the ocean in full armor, but also survives countless attacks by sea monsters- probably in the form of sea lions. The more obvious of Beowulf’s violent accomplishments are, of course, the killing of Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and finally a dragon. Considering all of these “altercations,” it is easy to see why Beowulf may have lacked more theoretical knowledge.
Dante, on the other hand, is a complete opposite of Beowulf. Within the first one hundred lines of The Inferno Dante has already “swooned” multiple times because of some unpleasant thought or sight. Dante is also lacking in terms of physical stature, but what he does not possess in the way of strength or athleticism he compensates for with his intelligence. As a poet- both in the poem and in his own life- Dante possesses a tremendous wealth of knowledge but is quite deficient in his physical capability and must rely on his spiritual guide- Virgil- to help him circumvent any dangers. (Cassell, Anthony K.)Dante's Inferno revolves entirely around his journey to be with God, while Beowulf already sees himself as in the favor of God. While on his journey through hell, Dante toughens up from his bleeding-heart to arguing and fighting against souls in hell.
These two poems hero’s journey aren’t only different in the fact that the main characters are complete opposite but also the journey itself.

Beowulf hears about Grendel and all the trouble he is creating. So he gathered his best men and decides to cross the sea to fight the monster. Beowulf knew that he was the only hope for hrothgar because of the history he has of fighting monsters. While Dante’s journey is to save his soul from a fate similar to those that Dante pilgrim witnesses in hell. The journey is supposed to prove what Christians would have been taught on earth: that this life and its decisions have to do with the afterlife. Dante solidifies this fact by including famous people in the Divine Comedy. Another thing is Dante’s journey is one of moral exploration and enlightenment rather than Beowulf's purposeful journey to slay a monster and save a people. On the other hand, Dante learns something about himself and the nature and consequences of sin, while Beowulf is morally unmoved by his

journey.
Through both journeys Dante and Beowulf must face different creatures. This is one of the most common things in a hero’s journey but they must face them for different reasons. On one hand we have Beowulf who must face Grendel because of the chaos he is creating. He then also faces Grendel’s mother for the fact that is furious because Beowulf killed her son. On the other hand Dante faces a leopard that comes in he’s path throughout he’s journey. Even do both faces someone Beowulf does it for the reason of proving himself and defending the people while Dante does it for the fact of defending himself and he must continue he’s journey.
Although most themes and symbols within Beowulf and The Inferno are different due to the changes between the two, some remain unchanged which is a testament to their validity in literature.

Both texts contain a literal descent into the underworld which not only correlates with the hero’s journey, but also serves as a setting for the introduction of monsters. Beowulf’s descent comes when he must dive into the boiling lake in order to slay Grendel’s mother. Dante’s descent lasts much longer- throughout the entire epic- as he makes his way through the nine circles of Hell. The various monsters that each protagonist faces function as more than simple plot points. Both Beowulf and The Inferno use monsters as a examples of good and evil. In Beowulf, Grendel, his mother, and the dragon are monsters which represent malevolence. These monsters are destroyed throughout the epic in order to depict the triumph of good over evil. The Inferno also contains a multitude of monsters which depict the badness present in Hell. One distinguishing feature present with the monsters of Hell is the specificity of the characteristics each monster possesses with regard to their respective

sins.
One of the major’s differences is how both of these heroes are awarded due to their tremendous work and fights. On one hand we have Beowulf who gets all these riches and everything he ever wanted for killing Grendel and he’s mother. While Dante gets awarded with more knowledge and a better understanding of how hell is but also to be able to tell all these Christian’s of what they shouldn’t do in order to end up in any of these circles of hell. Also while Dante does this for all the people on earth, Beowulf does it for himself and to prove he’s bravery and strength.
By viewing the progression and evolution of the major themes and symbols present in Beowulf and The Inferno, it is possible to see information regarding the simultaneous development within society over the same time period. The differences between these texts offer not only a basis for literary comparison, but also for an evaluation of the values and characteristics most important to the individuals for which each epic was written. Not only has that but also difference between the hero’s journeys.