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. It starts with the Call to Adventure when Beowulf hears about how Hrothgar has trouble with Grendel. This moment is similar to when Harry Potter gets his letter to Hogwarts and discovers he’s a wizard. …show more content…
Beowulf's decision to help Hrothgar marks his Crossing of the First Threshold, similar to Harry Potter accepting the letter and going to Hogwarts, showing that they are ready to become heroes. The Tests, Allies, and Enemies part of Beowulf’s journey happens when he fights Grendel and their mother. These battles test his strength and bravery. In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the turtles face similar tests when they fight enemies like the Shredder. These challenges are important because they help the heroes grow and prepare them for even bigger battles ahead. The climax of Beowulf’s journey is his fight with the dragon, which is the Ordeal stage where the hero faces their biggest challenge. This is Harry Potter’s final battle with Voldemort, where Harry has to use all his courage and skills to win. Both Beowulf and Harry face huge dangers, and their victories come at great cost. Beowulf dies from his wounds, and Harry nearly dies before defeating Voldemort. These moments highlight the hero’s selflessness and the importance of sacrifice. So why is the hero’s journey so common in
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.
The Beowulf and 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.
“For a brief while your strength is in bloom/ but it fades quickly; and soon there will follow/ illness or the sword to lay you low… and death will arrive, dear warrior, to sweep you away”(1761-8). Hrothgar bestows his wisdom onto Beowulf after Beowulf has defeated Grendel and his mother. Hrothgar reminds him not to let pride overcome him for everything is eventually defeated due to the power of fate. This exemplifies a theme woven throughout the story of Beowulf. Beowulf is presented as a valiant hero, slaying beasts with his mighty strength and demonstrating the importance of the balance between wisdom and strength, but as the story unfolds Beowulf slowly loses his vitality until eventually he is defeated. This shows the power of fate has on everyone; no exceptions. This paper will demonstrate the heroic qualities of Beowulf and show his gradual decline through the approaches and outcomes of his three battles with the monsters.
Beowulf, translated by Burton Raffel, is an old English epic that reflects the Anglo-Saxon culture. This epic is the story of a hero, Beowulf, who goes on several journeys to battle evil. Throughout his journey the reader discovers Beowulf’s strength and courage as he faces his many battles. Beowulf exemplifies archetypes that can be connected to other literature across cultures such as a hero as a warrior, the task, and the shadow.
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 ...
Beowulf was one of the first great literary pieces ever told. Not only was it one of the first great orally told stories, it also was one of the first heroic tales. Beowulf was a great warrior who risked his own life to save a village from a savage monster, so when I was asked if Beowulf was a hero or not, I didn’t have to think twice of my answer. Beowulf showed many characteristics of being a hero, although there were a multitude of evil monsters who were attempting to contravene with his heroic actions. The battle of good and evil with forever be an essential part of literature and also real life!
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
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.
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.
Beowulf is a poem based on heroism. It tells such a great story that it was able to live on for over five hundred years before it was ever written down. Till this day the author is still unknown. It comes from the Old English or the Anglo-Saxon literary and historical period of time. Beowulf holds many characteristics that classify him as an epic hero; inhuman strength, loyalty, and courage