The Archetypal Hero's Quest In Beowulf

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Beowulf is the oldest known work of literature in the English language. Told around the middle of the seventh century and recorded on paper hundreds of years later, the tale is of a hero, who saves a hopeless people in their time of greatest need. Beowulf, the hero, is a seemingly superhuman individual. He confronts various monsters and mythical creatures throughout his life, always performing his duty to protect his own people or another. While Beowulf is over one thousand years old, it is not the first of its kind. Throughout history, stories about heroes have been repeatedly told, encompassing many of the same themes and symbols found in Beowulf. Because of these symbols, Beowulf follows the archetypal hero quest.
There are several archetypes …show more content…

In the battle with Grendel, one of Beowulf’s Geat warriors is killed while he is asleep. This is a sad moment, but the warrior’s death is avenged just a few minutes later when Beowulf rips the arm off of Grendel, sending him running to his death. The fight with Grendel’s mother has the most obstacles to confront of any of the battles in the story. Before this battle, Hrothgar’s highest ranking advisor, Aeschere, is killed by Grendel’s mother. While this is a setback, it is overcome. As Beowulf tells a mourning Hrothgar, “‘We sir, do not grieve. It is always better to avenge dear ones than to indulge in mourning...Bear up and be the man I expect you to be’” (lns. 1384-1396). The next obstacle of the Battle with Grendel’s mother is searching for the hidden, haunted mere. The warriors do so, but take time to do so. Then, during the actual battle, Beowulf faces obstacles. After a day of swimming in the mere, Beowulf is caught by Grendel’s mother. As she drags him along, Beowulf is prodded by other monsters of the mere. In addition to this, the sword given to him by Unferth, Hrunting, breaks when he wields it against the monster. Beowulf eventually overcomes these obstacles, however, and defeats Grendel’s mother in a hard-fought battle. Before Beowulf’s final fight, with the dragon, much of his kingdom is destroyed by the rampaging dragon, searching for the thief …show more content…

With the symbolic return of a hero, the hero returns a changed person. For Beowulf, he has matured in mind and spirit during his time with the Shieldings. King Hrothgar even tells him he is very mature in his young age. Also, with Beowulf’s return, he gains much respect from his superiors in his own society. King Hygelac himself had doubts Beowulf would be successful. However, the young warrior’s success in Denmark and the treasure he brings back to his king helps him to earn more respect and honor. As a reward to Beowulf, Hygelac gives him large tracts of land and a special sword. In addition to this, after Hygelac and his son died, Beowulf was deemed the rightful person to lead the Geats. For 50 years Beowulf would lead his people, defending them to the very end of his

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