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The Role Of The Hero Quest In Beowulf

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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

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