As we know, a hero is an individual that meets a monomyth. This involves the hero going on an adventure, in a decisive crisis that leads to a victory, and then comes home transformed. Even though Beowulf seems to meet the criteria of being a heroic figure, he willingly went to Heorot without being called by Hrothgar, the king of Heorot. The attitude towards the challenges he faces does not match the ideal persona of a hero. After defeating a problematic monster named Grendel, he only made the situation worse. Beowulf doesn’t fit the archetype of a hero because of his inclinations, egotistical ways and glorification. Beowulf’s inclinations show that he is not a person that fits the hero archetype. When Beowulf fought the monster that was terrorizing …show more content…
Beowulf was acknowledged when he has elevated himself in order to bring glory to his name. Therefore, Beowulf does not meet the heroic personality. In addition, this becomes evident as we examine Beowulf's main three battles and the events surrounding them. In the first battle, Grendel vs Beowulf, Beowulf's desire for pride is able to be seen over the desire to help others. For instance, Beowulf fought Grendel with his bare hands and fought Grendel one on one while his thanes watched. “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 then victorious again and before he leaves, he takes Grendel's mother's head and Grendel’s head as a souvenir. “Grendel’s head was hauled by the hair, dragged across the floor where people were drinking, a horror for both queen and company to behold. They stared in awe. It was an astonishing sight.”(1647-1650). Lastly, Beowulf's final battle with the dragon is where his actions come to an end. Beowulf doesn't even need to go after the dragon but he does anyway, ignoring Hrothgar's warning. “Your undertaking cast my spirits down, I dreaded the outcome of your expedition and pleaded with you long and hard to leave the killer be, let the South-Danes settle their own blood-feud with Grendel. So God is thanked I am granted this sight of you, safe and sound.”(1992-1998). The outcome of this battle was the dragon and Beowulf being killed. As a result of Beowulf’s glorification, it helps explain the reason why he isn’t