Beowulf A Hero's Journey Analysis

Mythic heroes are set apart from the known and are expected to do unbelievable accomplishments while facing overwhelming odds. Throughout Campbell’s life, he noticed the same challenges heroes endured and came up with stages that a hero goes through. There are many examples of that prove that Campbell’s theory is true. Beowulf is a prime example of the stages to qualify as a mythic hero because he goes through the three main parts: departure, initiation, and the return.

One way Beowulf is a mythic hero is because he goes through the departure stage. During the departure stage, the hero will go through a process if changes or the Call to Adventure. According to Campbell the hero must go away from the comfort of his/her normal life and go into

When going through the initiation phase the hero has to Cross the First Threshold. The threshold is a boundary between the world of the known and unknown. Most of the time there is a threshold guarding trying to block the hero from getting past. The hero has to be determined to go on the journey because fear keeps them within the boundaries and to go on the hero’s journey there can be no fear. In the myth The Russian Wild Women, the handsome women were threshold guardians because were very dangerous. They liked to tickle people to death and if one was to stumble upon their invisible party they would die. Basically, they were trying to stop the people who were trying to cross into the unknown. In Beowulf, Grendel was the threshold guardian because he tries test Beowulf courage and braveness, but he was very confident and was able to beat Grendel and cross the threshold. After crossing the first threshold, heroes will encounter the belly of the whale stage. The belly of the represents rebirth or transformation. The hero dies to old self in order to be reborn and made new. For example, in The Eskimo of Bering Strait, there were many examples such as the mother being swallowed by an elephant to improve her vision and the Maui being swallowed by his great-grandmother to get more wisdom. Heroes can go back and forth, in and out of the belly without fear. As stated in the novel, Beowulf goes into

During the return stage, the hero is ending its journey. There is apotheosis, rescue from without, crossing the return threshold, and master of two worlds. The hero will go through a period of peace before he/she has to begin the return process. The return process is the heroes last battle before death. The hero may need help or a rescuer to complete the task. Before death, the hero will share his/her wisdom with the people. After death, the hero has achieved the balance between the physical and spiritual world. Beowulf successfully completes all stages. Be rules Geatland peacefully for fifty years until a dragon came about trying to destroy the kingdom. During the battle, Wiglaf saves Beowulf while his other men sit there and watch him die. After Beowulf wins the battle he passes on the treasure realizing his death is near. His legacy lives on after he asks for a tower so people can tell his story and remember