Archetypal Characters In The Poem 'Beowulf'

In the unknown author’s poem, “Beowulf” , the author outlines the basic ideas of the human condition by using the Archetypal theory to show how Beowulf achieved greatness. The author uses an Archetypal approach to help outline the basic ideas of “Beowulf”,such as using archetypal characters, images and situations to help explain the story. “Beowulf” is a prime example of good writing using the archetypal theory to help explain the characters and the situations those characters get involved with. In the poem “Beowulf”, archetypal characters play a big part in setting up the main plot and ideas. The different types of archetypal characters used in “Beowulf” is the HERO, which mainly outlines Beowulf. The LONER OR OUTCAST, which pertains to Grendel, Grendel’s mother and the Dragon, outlines the force that Beowulf will have to fight against. Each of these types of characters helps Beowulf move closer to becoming a legendary hero and myth for ongoing generations to learn and hear about. In “Beowulf”, each character has a certain role which helps the story to move along. The main focus being Beowulf himself and how the Hero mold fits him to a tea. In the poem

Numbers play a big part in the story. Whether it is how many men Beowulf first traveled to Herot with or how many of Hrothgar 's men were taken by Grendel the first night that Beowulf partook in a celebration with the Danes. The first instance of numbers comes from the experience of Hrothgar’s people and for twelve long years Grendel attacked Herot. It’s these events that Beowulf hears about and wants to help Hrothgar in defeating Grendel. The next use of numbers comes when Beowulf is gathering the men that will travel with him to Herot to help Hrothgar’s cause, in total Beowulf brings with him fourteen of his best warriors to help fight Grendel, only fourteen, to minimize the loss of his own people if Grendel where to defeat Beowulf and his