What would you do if you saw a black object in the sky? Would you dismiss it? Think it was just a cloud? Now let me ask you, what if you were looking from the perspective of that. “Cloud”? This is what happened to Edmund when he was on the Spearwa ship in The Coming of Dragons. He didn’t dismiss it from his mind. Would you? This is what an archetypal hero would do which leads me to believe that in The Coming of Dragons, Elspeth and Edmund(the main characters) are both similar and different to the archetypal characteristics found in books and mythology because of the fact that Elspeth and Edmund have special weapons, an initiating event and they are mighty warriors. But they also do not have any unusual birth circumstances, an epic quest or help from people with special powers.
In The Coming of
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Dragons Elspeth is like a mighty warrior because she kills the wild boar in the town they come across. ‘He felt the boars fear as it whirled around to face the Shining white light. This is not an enemy it understood, but it would fight to the death…. He Jerked forward as the death-blow struck his neck’(171). Elspeth was the one who struck the boar's neck, killing it, which shows she is a mighty warrior. Elspeth and Edmund also have special abilities/weapons. Edmund has the ability to look through peoples minds and Elspeth can make a sword appear in her hands at will. Finally, Edmund and Elspeth have an initiating event that thrusts them into the action. Right at the beginning of the book, they are on the Spearwa ship as it is sinking because of the dragon. After this they wash up on shore, meet Aagard, and their journey begins. Even though they have similarities to an archetypal hero they also have differences.
They do not have any unusual birth circumstances, for example. Edmund was born the son of a king.’Edmund wondered how long it would take for news of the shipwreck to reach his father’s kingdom fifty leagues away(15).’ Nothing unusual there, and Elspeth is merely a daughter of a sailor. Also, they do not have any partners with special abilities or in a place of power. They do have a partner, Cluaran, but he is only a huntsman that is a friend of Aagard. Finally, they do not truly have an epic quest because Aagard tells them to slay the dragon but Elspeth and Edmund never agree and they go on their own. Although they do meet orgim and defeat them they never agreed to do that specifically.
So in conclusion, we have figured out that Elspeth and Edmund can be like an archetypal hero but they also can differ from an archetypal hero. Although they do have the characteristics of a mighty warrior, they have an initiating event and special weapons/abilities. But they do not have any unusual birth circumstances, help from people with special powers or a true epic
quest.
What is a hero? The book Mythology by Edith Hamilton has a lot of heroes and most of them have 2 things in common. The heroes are in their own ways superior whether it be strength, intelligence, and/or courage. The second thing they have in common is a quest that establishes their greatness and proving that they are good enough to be called heroes. The catch is that even though they may have the characteristics of a hero, not all of them are epic heroes.
Odysseus and Ullysseus Everett McGill are similar characters because of their perseverance, cleverness, and their leadership abilities.
The heroes also possess uncommon powers of the body and mind. They are described as being the utmost in clever and crafty doings but...
Archetypes can be enforced by using symbols, a pattern, a characteristic, a certain idea or theme, or an image of some kind. They can also be conveyed in dreams, literature, religion, folklore, fantasies, and myths. There are a total of six archetypal groups including: symbolic, character, situational, heroic, and characteristics of the hero’s journey. Within the epic poem, a lengthy poem that portrays a story of a certain hero’s tasks, of Beowulf, originally written by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet and translated by R.M Liuzza, effectively portrays many differing archetypal groups. Furthermore, the work of the anonymous poet who created the marvelous epic poem by the name of Beowulf illustrates broadened examples of
So, in conclusion, they are the typical heroes who always accomplish their goals in saving citizens and defeating a foe. They do have some differences, such as their quests, characteristics, names, and other minor details. In the end, Beowulf and Perseus both defeat the dragon, monster or whatever it is they have to defeat and get gold, girl or whatever makes it a happy
The following analysis of Beowulf discusses these archetypes: the hero, the outcast, the task, the initiation and the scapegoat.
The Character archetypes in Beowulf can be seen over and over again through the three battles Beowulf fights in which can also represent good vs evil. Symbolic archetypes represent Light Vs Evil. We can see this with Herot Hall and how it is full of life and energy which represents light and how the rest of the town is darken with fear which represents darkness. As for Character archetypes we can see that all over Beowulf with Beowulf being are shining example of a hero and the Grendel being depicted as the villain and outcast. These three archetypes stood out to me and I hope through my evidence and reasoning you see
Anglo Saxon’s history is well known for their loyalty, courage and bravery. Beowulf our protagonist is symbolized as a hero, who represents the Anglo Saxons at the time. Beowulf earns his fame and respect through battling creatures nobody else would want to face. These creatures symbolize the evil that lurks beyond the dark. Beowulf’s intense battle with these creatures’ symbolizes the epic battle of good versus evil. In the end good triumphs over evil but one cannot avoid death. Beowulf’s death can be symbolized as the death of the Anglo Saxons. Beowulf’s battle through the poem reflects the kind of culture that the Anglo Saxons had. The youth of a warrior to his maturity then the last fight which results in death. Beowulf wanted to be remembered and be told in stories that are passed on from generation to generation after his death. These story tellers relate to the Anglo Saxons time when they told stories about their great heroes.
Epic heroes often have many things in common while also having characteristics unique to the cultures who wrote them. Many people know of the tale of the mighty Beowulf and his battle with the forces of evil, and even more people know of the adventures of Odysseus and his great adventures across the battlefields of Troy and the mythical sea of monsters. Greek and English legends of old have many commonalities, monsters, heroes, adventure, and impressive feats, but also many differences. Despite the huge distance both physically and chronologically, their cultures had many similarities as well as they both possessed technology and knowledge well ahead of their time, with the Greek philosophy and art and norse sailing and knowledge of North America,
Beowulf is an epic hero for many reasons. A few of Beowulf’s characteristics that make him an epic hero are strength, honor, and the ability to rule justly. Beowulf is also an epic hero because, he defeated Grendel, Grendel’s mother and helped defeated the dragon. Last but not least Beowulf is a hero because he is brave/ bold. These are just a few examples of many possessions that Beowulf contains that make him one epic hero.
What do Superman, firefighters, soldiers, doctors, and Caitlyn Jenner all have in common?-- They are heros. The definition of hero is defined differently by each person. It is a common adjective, with a variety of meanings. For one person a hero is one who protects the city from crime such as superman, while another may say a hero is one who saves people from a burning building. In the same way Caitlyn Jenner formerly Bruce Jenner gave the transgender community a stronger voice to allow them to be heard. While the word hero may be given to many and defined differently by each, all these heros display selflessness and bravery. Tom Hanks said it best “A hero is somebody who voluntarily walks into the unknown.” These men and women who are heroes
A hero is someone who goes on distant journeys, goes through life-and-death struggles between good and evil, and embodies the ideals of his people. In the epic poem, Beowulf fights with three different monsters using different techniques and weapons that reward different trophies. Beowulf is a warrior who fights with purpose.
In literature, there are two types of heroes, epic and tragic. An epic hero reflects their society’s values, immortalized in the eyes of their people, and shows courage in the face of adverse situations. Achilles is an epic hero because he embodied the honor that was so highly regarded in Greek society, chose to die early in battle and be remembered gloriously rather than living a long anonymous life in his homeland of Pthia, and avenged Patroclus’s death.
An epic hero is typically described as a larger-than-life character, who displays skill, courage, and virtue against an opposing force. In the English epic Beowulf, the main character, Beowulf, battles three brutally terrifying creatures: Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and a menacing dragon. The large amount of skill, courage, and virtue Beowulf exhibits during these three battles prove he is in fact an epic hero.
An epic hero is a main character who embodies the ideals of a certain culture. The character is named Beowulf and he represents the ideals of the Anglo-Saxon culture which were bravery, skillfulness, and generosity. Beowulf showed his braveness multiple times throughout the story. After he heard of a monster named Grendel who, for twelve years had been attacking King Hrothgar's mead hall Heorot, Beowulf traveled to the Danish islands to defeat him. Even though Beowulf didn't know anything about Grendel he went on a long voyage to reach the islands so that the Hrothgar's people need not live in fear. Then, after Beowulf Grendel, Grendel's mother came after the people of Heorot to avenge her son's death. To reach her, Beowulf had to dive into dark dangerous waters, facing unknown peril. He swam down through the shadowy lake by himself fighting off monsters the whole way. Once he did arrive at her lair a vicious fight ensued, but the courageous Beowulf came out victorious once again. Later in Beowulf's life, a dragon destroys his village and the large mead hall he had built for his men. Even though he knew he was no longer as agile and strong, Beowulf went straight to the dragon and gave a defiant shout of challenge.