Beowulf Hero's Journey
Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Cat woman, and even the Hulk are all superheroes in today’s life, and they all had a positive effect on others. They were heroes in costumes, but in normal life who are the heroes? In the epic poem, Beowulf, translated by Burton Raffel, is an ancient England’s hero and a perfect example of an epic hero. Beowulf’s journey is like a hero that possess superior physical strength and ethical values. He symbolizes the ideals of Anglo-Saxons culture as he goes on a quest to defeat monsters that embody dangerous, destructive powers to the society. Beowulf does an indeed superlative job of executing hero’s journey, such as crossing the first threshold, supernatural aid, and freedom to live. The hero’s journey is the key
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There are couple parts in the story where he receives supernatural aid, which is when the hero gets or has magical power. In the scene Beowulf is fighting Grendel in Herot, “…-And was instantly seized himself, claws bent back as Beowulf leaned up on one arm” (Page 22; lines 39-40). In this part, his supernatural aid is his strength and his amazing superhuman powers by how Grendel’s claws began to bend back just with Beowulf’s bare hands. On the other hand, Beowulf did not use any weapons or tools to kill the monster because there was a spell on Grendel that no weapon can even put a scratch on him. Supernatural aid is also presented in the scene when Beowulf is fighting with Grendel’s mother, “Then he saw, hanging on the wall, a heavy sword, hammered by giants, strong and blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons…” (Page 27; lines 242-244). Beowulf was able to lift this sword that no ordinary, common man could lift. With this magical sword he was able to get Grendel’s mother’s blood all over it. Also, he was able to cut off Grendel’s head with only this sword, which no other weapon could do. As Beowulf demonstrates superhuman strength throughout his tale, he solidifies his standing as an epic …show more content…
The way he jumps from his old life into a new world, while having supernatural power and support, resulting to a life where he can die peacefully with no worries or regrets of his past. Beowulf does a good job of executing those three parts of the hero’s journey. The purpose of having a journey within the story of Beowulf is to establish and develop his character. The journey illustrates his characterization as a courageous, brave, selfless warrior that goes to Denmark to fight his battles. At the end of his quest, Beowulf represents the real life hero of his day and was praised by the people that he has
There are couple parts in the story where he receives supernatural aid, which is when the hero gets or has magical power. In the scene Beowulf is fighting Grendel in Herot, “…-And was instantly seized himself, claws bent back as Beowulf leaned up on one arm” (Page 22; lines 39-40). In this part, his supernatural aid is his strength and his amazing superhuman powers by how Grendel’s claws began to bend back just with Beowulf’s bare hands. On the other hand, Beowulf did not use any weapons or tools to kill the monster because there was a spell on Grendel that no weapon can even put a scratch on him. Supernatural aid is also presented in the scene when Beowulf is fighting with Grendel’s mother, “Then he saw, hanging on the wall, a heavy sword, hammered by giants, strong and blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons…” (Page 27; lines 242-244). Beowulf was able to lift this sword that no ordinary, common man could lift. With this magical sword he was able to get Grendel’s mother’s blood all over it. Also, he was able to cut off Grendel’s head with only this sword, which no other weapon could do. As Beowulf demonstrates superhuman strength throughout his tale, he solidifies his standing as an epic …show more content…
The way he jumps from his old life into a new world, while having supernatural power and support, resulting to a life where he can die peacefully with no worries or regrets of his past. Beowulf does a good job of executing those three parts of the hero’s journey. The purpose of having a journey within the story of Beowulf is to establish and develop his character. The journey illustrates his characterization as a courageous, brave, selfless warrior that goes to Denmark to fight his battles. At the end of his quest, Beowulf represents the real life hero of his day and was praised by the people that he has