The epic poem Beowulf is famous for many reasons. Among the top reasons is that it is a perfect example of the Hero’s Journey, a story structure that is common in many other well-known stories across the globe. It follows a series of plot points to create an interesting and suspenseful journey that the readers take. The poem follows these plot points almost exactly. Another reason it is famous is because the hero of the story, Beowulf, exemplifies all the characteristics of an ideal hero and king. He is a strong, selfless, and honorable warrior and continues these traits even as an old man, king of his people. He proves his worth throughout the poem, following the guideline of the Hero’s Journey. The first plot point of the story is the …show more content…
After the call to action and crossing the threshold, Beowulf greets new people at the palace and prepares for his ordeal. He is taunted by Unferth and makes friends with Hrothgar. (Beowulf 13-24). These are his tests, allies and enemies that he must encounter. This follows the Hero’s Journey because meeting these people and getting accustomed to the new world is the next important plot point of the Hero’s Journey, occurring after arriving in the new world. (McBirney 2). Later, Beowulf faces his ordeal, which is encountering the monster Grendel. The ordeal is the next component of the Hero’s Journey, where the hero faces their hardest obstacle yet. They often have a brush with death, but overcome it and find new hope. Through this battle, he demonstrates his great bravery and strength. He manages to wound the monster and kill him after grappling with him (Beowulf 26-30). He is a hero to the king and to the kingdom, saving many lives. As you can see, the ordeal follows the Hero’s Journey as well as shows Beowulf’s great heroism. The next component of the Hero’s Journey is the supreme ordeal- the final battle that is the climax of the story. The supreme ordeal is where the hero faces their final test to accomplish their goal. In Beowulf’s case, his supreme ordeal is Grendel’s mother, who has come to seek revenge against the …show more content…
The poem goes on to explain how he rules his kingdom for 50 years after defeating Grendel and Grendel’s mother and returning home. As an old man, even after his previous battles, he continues to be a good king of his people. He soon learns of the havoc that a dragon is bringing to his kingdom in his late years (Beowulf 79-80). He chooses to protect his kingdom and go to fight the dragon, even though he is not physically strong anymore. This is an important point in the story for Beowulf’s character- even as a weak old man, he chooses to be selfless. He could have just been satisfied with his success in his older battles, but he picks honor over comfort. Beowulf knew that he probably wouldn’t make it after this battle, but he was content with his achievements for his people. He left to face the dragon, and when they arrived, his men betrayed him. (Beowulf 87-88). This could have also swayed Beowulf to leave and give up, but he kept going. His great courage and selflessness really shine in these moments. With no support except for Wiglaf, Beowulf continued to the dragon’s lair. After a crucial battle with the dragon, it is vanquished, but Beowulf is injured. He dies an honorable death, having spared his kingdom of the dragon. He is content with his accomplishments in the past, and in killing the dragon. In this, the Hero’s Journey is complete, and Beowulf’s incredible legacy as a hero and king
In lines 2369-2376, upon the death of king Hygelac, Beowulf is offered the throne, but the poem says, “ …there was no way the weakened nation could get Beowulf to give in and agree to be elevated over Heardred as his lord or to take office of his kingship.” Instead Beowulf continued to support the Crown without carrying the responsibilities that comes with it. When Heardred dies, Beowulf is forced to step into the role of a heroic king, rather than a warrior. His transition from warrior to king, and, in particular, his final battle with the dragon, kings show the contrast between the duties of a heroic warrior and those of a heroic king. While Beowulf is a great and respected king, he is questionably too much of a hero.
He says that their lives are guided by the heroic code. Then Beowulf proclaims that he will go fight Grendel's mother and Grendel in an underwater battle and then he sets off. On his way, he is captured by Grendel’s mom and taken. But, when he tries to fight back with his sword the sword does nothing to her causing him to start fighting with his bare hands. Then he discovers a weapon that could help him defeat his enemy and it is a great sword.
He is the ruler of his own kingdom now. One day a thief tries to steal gold from within a cave. Little does he know that a fierce dragon guards this gold filled treasure trove. Once again, and for the last time, Beowulf is charged with a quest. Beowulf shows no fear in saying “I’ve never known fear, as a youth I fought in endless battles” (607-608) as well as stating, “I will fight again, and seek fame still” (609-610).
Beowulf will always be remembered as an epic hero and a good man. His abilities with a sword, were known to the Geats and his bravery unwavering. Truly a great king to the Geats protecting them till his last dying breath. Beowulf stood fifty winters as king and was still the strongest fighter in Geatland. His power was god given and his victories decided by fate.
Their fight brought other monsters that beat and stab Beowulf. Beowulf only wanted fame and glory so he hopped back into battle. “Then Beowulf rose, still brave, still strong” He believed that no coward could walk there and that he was the only one that could defeat the dragon since no other man has been able
In the story of Beowulf, the hero, Beowulf, does not know about the issue until the call. In Beowulf the call is the acts of Grendel. Grendel is a descendant of the cursed son of Adam and Eve, Caine. In the bible, Caine kills his brother resulting in a curse brought upon by God. Due to this, Grendel lives a life of seclusion and rejection.
Beowulf took on both Grendel and his mother with the intentions of saving the Danes, whether he survived or
Beowulf vs Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon all represent a creature from hell and Beowulf is a god-like warrior who ends up slaying evil. “Like a man outlawed/for wickedness, he must await/the mighty judgement of God in majesty” (Beowulf 976 - 978). This quote talks about Grendel and his demonic soul. Beowulf points out that he is an evil creature and no creature ever to exist is powerful enough to smite God. Once Grendel dies, Grendel will be in God’s hands and Grendel will regret ever being evil or committing any evil action to anyone or anything on Earth.
Beowulf is a historical poem that was made in the 8th century. Beowulf has taught many people in the world that we should always fight and succeed when it comes to our obstacles. Beowulf is a story that is mostly fighting the people that Beowulf fights for is his king and allies after all he is a strong warrior.he fights lot in the story and someone he fight is grendel a evil monster he fights and dies as a loyal soldier. Beowulf is a wonderful book that poems admiration and loyalty in every way possible. Beowulf was a strong warrior to show how he was i have this quote directly said by beowulf himself”If death does take me send the hammered mail to Higlac and return the inheritance i had from hrethel l and he from wayland fate will unwind
“Then an extraordinary wail arose, and bewildering fear came over the Danes. Everyone felt it who heard that cry as it echoed off the wall, a God-cursed scream, and strain of catastrophe, the howl of the loser, the lament of the hell-serf, keening his wound. He was overwhelmed, manacled tight by the man who of all men was foremost and strongest in the days of this life.” (781-789). The next battle, Beowulf vs Grendel's mother, is driven this time by revenge and more glory seeking.
Beowulf is willing to risk his life to protect others. He demonstrates his strength and his braveness when he battles Grendel, Grendel is a monster who has been terrorizing all the Danish people. Beowulf will be able to defeat Grendel by his bare hands, which shows that he is not afraid to confront the monster face to face. The author uses Beowulf’s victory over Grendel to show the power that Good will always be more powerful than evil. When Grendel and Beowulf were battling, Grendel was thinking of running away from Beowulf and hide because Beowulf was known to beat anyone that would stand from him and protecting his community safe “Grendel's one thought was to run from Beowulf, flee back to his marsh and hide there.”
Once upon a time, there was a marvelous warrior that was a hero to so many and king to some. In the story of Beowulf, the hero, Beowulf, must follow and go through the hero’s journey. The hero’s journey has twelve stages, or three acts. The stages go in the order: 1) The Call to Adventure, 2) Assistance, 3) Departure, 4) Trials, 5) Approach to the Inmost Cave, 6) Crisis, 7) Treasure, 8) Result, 9) Return, 10) New Life, 11) Resolution, and 12) Status Quo (Winkler). Since Beowulf is facing three different monsters, there is not only the story’s significant journey, but also multiple inside it.
But he knew the greatest threat came knocking at his door for a fight that will live on being told for eternity. Beowulf sacrificed his own life for those around him, “Quickly, the dragon cam at him, encouraged as Beowulf as Beowulf fell back; its breath fared, and he suffered, wrapped around in swirling flames- a king, before, but now a Beaton warrior” (lines 687-691). In the end Beowulf fought till the end fighting not only for himself but for his people. He fought like a king until his death. Beowulf gave the ultimate sacrifice to save his people.
As a payment to the king of the Danes, he decides to fight the dragon, just as he fought Grendel. Then he was a warrior and now he is a king responsible for his people. Beowulf’s decision is courageous but inappropriate for a king. His foolish but courageous decision causes him to die in the end. Before he fought the mighty dragon, he said “I’ve never known fear; as a youth I fought in endless battles.
Beowulf is one of the oldest and most well-known epic stories throughout the world. The main character in this story is Beowulf himself. Beowulf is a true and epic hero, who ultimately loses his life while trying to protect the he cared for. Beowulf was a man of great strength, which allowed him to defeat monster and make him the hero that he was. He did not have this strength on his own accord, but was assisted with some divine intervention.