ipl-logo

The Role Of The Hero Quest In Beowulf

1044 Words5 Pages

Beowulf is an archetypal story known by generations around the world. Beowulf took place during Anglo-Saxon English time period. In this work, Beowulf, a young Geat man, journeys to Denmark to save the Danes from the wrath of the demonic Grendel. During Anglo-Saxon time, Beowulf was a folk song only passed around by word of mouth. Monks eventually transferred it to paper since they were the only ones capable of writing. The tale contains multiple elements that have been analyzed throughout time. One of the most renowned elements to this well known story is the Hero Quest. The mythological and archetypal Hero Quest is portrayed in Beowulf through the call, obstacles, climax, and return. All great literary monomyths start with the Hero’s call. …show more content…

The climax is the moment of change or when the reader first starts to feel as if the Hero is going to fail. Although it seems the Hero is going to be unsuccessful, he or she is tested to their maximum and is able to end in victory. Beowulf’s fight with Grendel’s mother exemplifies the climax of Beowulf’s Hero Quest. The fight takes place underwater, which automatically puts Beowulf at an extreme disadvantage. The audience sees an intense struggle for Beowulf to conquer the horrendous monster. When it seems as though Beowulf’s life is coming to an end, he is able to pull through and decapitate Grendel’s mother. Although this seems as just another fight or obstacle that Beowulf faces, the climax actually takes place when he returns to the surface of the water. The men waiting for Beowulf were extremely worried about how he was doing underwater due to the blood surfacing the water. When Beowulf breaks the surface of the water, the men were extremely ecstatic. It seems as though Beowulf was a different man when he returned from this brawl. Hrothgar throws another celebration for the young Hero’s actions, but at this gathering in the mead hall Beowulf gives word that he thinks it is time for he and his men to return home. The encounter with Grendel’s mother made Beowulf realize he is not invincible and that one day, perhaps, his victories may not result in his victory. Thus, Beowulf announces he will soon return back to the land of the

Show More
Related

  • The Quest Archetypes In Beowulf

    525 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Quest archetype in "Beowulf" is represented by the titular hero's journey to defeat the monstrous Grendel and later the dragon. Beowulf is depicted as a great warrior and a hero who is willing to risk his life to protect his people. The Quest serves as a demonstration of Beowulf's bravery and his determination to overcome evil and restore peace to his kingdom. Through the Quest, Beowulf becomes a symbol of hope and inspiration for his people, demonstrating that even in the face of great adversity, one can rise above and triumph.

    Read More

  • Beowulf Is Evil Essay

    290 Words  | 2 Pages

    Beowulf is an anglo saxon story about an epic hero it's a story with a kingdom being terrorized by a scary monster and the story about the monster spreads to other kingdoms and then this hero heard about it and lend his hand to help them out and bring back the peace to that kingdom. Beowulf in this story is good and grendel the monster is evil and his mom is too they terrorize the hall in which they host their celebrations and at night the monster would come and slay and murder each and every person that was in that hall that night. Grendel is pure evil because he has no conscience , no quench for his thirst of blood and killing he simply does not care about the actions he commits. For that he is the epitome of all evil he does not care for

    Read More

  • Examples Of Archetypes In Beowulf

    1152 Words  | 5 Pages

    Beowulf follows the mythological/archetypal Hero Quest, but the unknown author still manages to throw in surprises to keep the readers on their toes. The basic mythological Hero’s Quest, most often, has twelve main sections throughout each story. The traditional components being the call to adventure, accepting the call, and the archetypes developed in the hero’s journey. However, Beowulf does not follow most of the traditional mythological Hero’s Quest. The unknown author creates Beowulf's outside the box story through his own words.

    Read More

  • Hrothgar's 'Separation In Beowulf'

    125 Words  | 1 Pages

    In Beowulf, one poetic narrative tells the story of Beowulf in the Anglo-Saxon era (449 A.D- 1066 A.D). The departure in beowulf occurs when beowulf is acknowledged with the idea to murder Grendel. This action enforces the mentality of asking king Hrothgar to give him permission. Bestowed upon him, Beowulf is told by Hrothgar: "Never, since my hand could hold a shield have I entrusted or given control of the Danes ' hall to anyone but you (655-657).”

    Read More

  • Examples Of Supernatural Aid In Beowulf

    1449 Words  | 6 Pages

    He becomes a new person as he forgets all of his past and his inquiry during his years as the King. He focuses on his present life as he is married to a woman named Iocaste and is a respected king. Beowulf’s fifth stage is very significant because it clearly visualizes the idea of danger and rebirth. During his battle against Grendel’s mother, there is a moment when he almost died. His sword is useless against Grendel’s mother, and there is no way for him to defeat her.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Monomyth In Beowulf

    438 Words  | 2 Pages

    Beowulf, an ancient tale of a tragic hero, is an ideal example of adventurous journeys, unwavering bravery, and divine intervention. Stories such as these follow the precedented rules a hero will encounter on his journey, the monomyth cycle. This cycle is defined by three main stages, each stage consisting of several sub stages that serve as a guide to analyze the stories of mythological heroes. Beowulf fits the mold of a tragic hero as his actions and dilemmas are described in the monomyth cycle.

    Read More

  • Archetypal Hero Quest In Beowulf

    1002 Words  | 5 Pages

    He takes out his loneliness on the prosperous hall of the Danes. The news of Grendel terrorizing the kingdom became a tale overseas, which is how Beowulf hears of Grendel and his acts. The kingdom had not received successful help, and Beowulf believes that he is capable of helping and takes this as his calling. After the call in a Hero Quest, the hero must make a decision.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Hero Quest In Beowulf

    1000 Words  | 4 Pages

    The steps of an archetypal hero quest have been introduced in hundreds of books over time. In all hero quest, the journey of the hero is described differently, but the hero usually endures the stages of a common hero quest story. The stories have similar ideas as well as similar hero adventures. The quest includes an inner battle or decision within the character that leads to a positive change or outcome involving the character’s actions. The book Beowulf, is a prime example of a hero quest despite the fact that the original book was written in hundreds of years ago.

    Read More

  • Quest In Beowulf

    472 Words  | 2 Pages

    Beowulf’s seemingly simple story of a mighty hero facing a battle with an evil monster is something a child would pick up. Tough, after reading beowulf in my AP Literature class we can see that there’s more to this fairy tale that meets the eye. There’s a story on how Beowulf is not only battling a demon but himself as well. Its starts of with Beowulf going on a quest, a simple one, to only defeat the mighty monster Grendel.

    Read More

  • Comparing The Hero's Journey In The Lion King And Beowulf

    1044 Words  | 5 Pages

    A hero’s journey consists of many mythological/archetypal characteristics--such as the characters, settings, situations, and outcomes. As unique as both stories are, The Lion King and Beowulf are great works of the hero’s journey following the mythological/archetypal path. The Lion King and Beowulf both revolve around the hero and outcast of the story. The quest and outcome are also other important components of the mythological/archetypal path.

    Read More

  • Atonement In Gilgamesh

    1883 Words  | 8 Pages

    For Beowulf, the apotheosis is when he is bitten by the dragon. The injury during the battle against the dragon is the deadly cause for his death. Unlike Gilgamesh and Oedipus whose apotheosis are symbolic deaths; Beowulf actually dies due to apotheosis. The ultimate boon is the eleventh step, which is the stage when the hero gains the prize of the adventure.

    Read More

  • Beowulf's Heroic Code Essay

    1294 Words  | 6 Pages

    After great accomplishments, the rewards and praise received is similar to the measurement of how much people recognize what someone has done. In this case, Beowulf returns from his quest of defeating Grendel’s mother, after defeating Grendel. Because of these acts Beowulf is showered with commendation and becomes etched into the hearts of the citizens for ridding them of a great danger. Beowulf’s funeral also displays the effect he had on the people around

    Read More

  • An Analysis Of Beowulf: A Hero's Journey

    1080 Words  | 5 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Differences Between The Book And Movie Beowulf

    702 Words  | 3 Pages

    Have you ever heard of the story Beowulf? If not, then I will be telling you the different scenarios that occurred in the movie and the book. Beowulf is about a heroic fellow who saves a kingdom from a magical named Grendel. He went through numerous of battles between Grendel, Grendel’s mother and the Dragon. In this essay I will be discussing the different event that happened in the story and the movie.

    Read More

  • Epic Of Beowulf

    428 Words  | 2 Pages

    She goes to the Heorot Hall and basically destroys it. She then goes and finds warriors sleeping. Now when the warriors wake up, Grendel’s mother rushes back to her lair. Beowulf, his Geatish warriors, and some of the Danish warriors head out to find Grendel’s mother. Beowulf then dives into the lake and gets to the cave,where Grendel's mother and Beowulf take on each other in a one-on-one battle.

    Read More

More about The Role Of The Hero Quest In Beowulf

Open Document