Examples Of Archetypes In Beowulf

The story, Beowulf, whose author is unknown, is a timeless story full of lessons people of this day and age can use. Although the story was first told--then written down--thousands of years ago, there are several ideas we, as a civilization, claim to be modern. This reflection of ideas is especially present within the representation of the hero and outcast archetypes within the story. In Beowulf, one sees the hero character, Beowulf, and the outcast character, Grendel, behave in ways that fit their archetypes. However, one also sees a blending of characteristics within the archetypes. One can see how although Beowulf is the hero character, he can also be represented as the outcast character. Likewise, one can also see this blending in the outcast character, Grendel. A good myth, such as Beowulf, must have both archetypes present in the work itself. While these archetypes seem cut and dry, as aforementioned, one can see how characters in each of these archetypes have blending characteristics which draw the reader in. For there to be a well written myth, hero and outcast archetypes must be present. However, a show of blending characteristics within the archetypes must be present for the myth to be relevant in other societies and cultures; the hero and outcast archetypes serve to show

Like Grendel, his mother was also seen as an outcast due to being a descendent of Cain. Whereas she is seen as inherently bad because she does not stop her son from committing heinous crimes, she does show motherly compassion for her son. This is shown when Beowulf goes to finally slay Grendel. When Beowulf enters the marsh, he first encounters Grendel’s mother. Grendel’s mother tries with all her might to defeat Beowulf, but is eventually slain with a sword found in her own dwelling. While Grendel’s mother tried to kill Beowulf, she shows compassion and a sense of protectiveness over her son, which is--and was--relatable to many