Examples Of Archetypes In Beowulf

The world is filled with great, well-known, real and fictional beings, such as the Buddha, Hercules, Mulan, Batman, and Martin Luther King Jr. But what do these marvelous people have in common? They are all heroes. Archetypes and myths, based off the theories of American mythologist, Joseph Campbell, and other pioneers of psychology and analyses reveal the disguised truth in the poem of Beowulf, a true epic of the Anglo-Saxons. Without the knowledge and redefinition of myths and archetypes, the reading of this heroic elegy would be perplexing. The heroic title of Beowulf, the protagonist, may be questionable. However, from the analyses of multiple Beowulf articles, evidence provided suggests that he is indeed a hero. The redefinition from these theories helps

However, in What is a Hero? by P. Apolinario, we learn that heroes are humans, cultural, display strengths and weaknesses, save others, and help society survive and thrive. When Beowulf first enters Danes, he is acknowledged with “You’re Beowulf, are you – the same boastful fool who fought a swimming match” (239-241). Beowulf is the average person that may be considered a hero. He is noticed for his ordinary trials, no extraordinary achievement. When “each warrior tried to escape [Grendel]” (54-54), Beowulf remained willing to do the job. He does not have god-like features that make him superior to other citizens, yet he courageously risks his life without contemplation or the bearing of weapons to save his town. He is a man who represents his Geatish culture in battle. Although he took on the challenge without question, he claimed that “no strength is a match for [his]” (267). His strengths and weaknesses are revealed during the battle between Grendel, the evil monster, and Grendel's mother - bravery and ego. With the qualities provided thus far, we have seen the light of a heroic