The Journey Of Self-Knowledge In Beowulf

The journey of self-knowledge occurs while a hero is on a quest and endures trials and tribulations throughout the quest the hero learns more about himself through facing numerous of challenges in his life. The challenges force the hero to go outside of their comfort zone something a hero normally would not do on their own which helps him grow physically, and mentally. Ultimately the journey of self-knowledge helps the hero become an exceptional person which helps other individuals see the hero evolve into a better person.

The poems Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and The Wife of Bath’s Tales demonstrate a hero facing challenges with their inner self, and during their quest that ultimately helps them grow as a person. The three

The Danes warriors try to fight back against Grendel but fail for twelve winter season “So Grendel waged his lonely war inflicting constant cruelties on the people, atrocious hurt” (Beowulf 164) until the day Beowulf sails to the Danes coast. In the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the Green Knight travels to Camelot to test King Arthur’s knights since it is said King Arthur’s knights are courageous, and fearless. The Green Knight ask simply not to battle but to play a game with King Arthur’s knights the game is for one of the knights to exchange a blow for blow with an axe with the Green Knight. Sir Gawain accepts the challenge from the Green Knight and takes his blow with the axe at the Green Knight neck and if the Green Knight speaks after the blow Sir Gawain must

Unferth goes on to discourage Beowulf telling him Grendel will defeat him in the battle “no one has ever outlasted an entire night against Grendel” (Beowulf 527). Beowulf corrects Unferth by telling truth on what happen between him and Breca in the sea. While telling Unferth the story about the sea Beowulf arrogance starts to show by letting everyone know he is the only man to kill nine sea monster and no other man has been able to do so “Such night-dangers and hard ordeals I have never heard of nor of a man more desolate in surging waves” (Beowulf 575). Beowulf arrogance gets the best on him when he tells Unferth “if you were truly as keen or courageous as you claim to be Grendel would never have got away with such [uncheck] atrocity, attacks on your king . . .” (Beowulf 590). Beowulf informs everyone in the Hall that he will defeat Grendel and show him how the Geats are train to kill in battle. At this point in time Beowulf arrogance, and cockiness is out shinning heroic characteristic. Beowulf has yet to learn the importance of his quest is to learn more about himself “They [do not] know enough about the only subject that really matters: themselves” (How