Throughout the epic poem of Beowulf, the main protagonist Beowulf is shown to thoroughly exemplify all of the traits of the epic hero. His heroism is displayed on two distinct sections of the epic, contrasting his original uninhibited heroism and later, his aged mature heroism.
In the beginning of Beowulf, Beowulf was portrayed as the pinnacle of the young, brave, chivalrous knight-like warriors expected during the Anglo-Saxon period. He rushed to Hrothgar’s kingdom of the Danes from the kingdom of the Geats, which is believed to be an area of southern Sweden, to save the kingdom from destruction at the hands of Grendel. He had no responsibility other than to kill the monster and ensure the immediate safety of his party and the town. He …show more content…
Although he skips some steps beowulf follows the main points almost exactly even if he skips some steps. He goes from “birth” to the “call to adventure” to ”crossing the threshold”, “the final battle”, “flight”, “return”, and “home” in his death. (Berkeley). The story is the epitome of an epic poem of the epic hero, and in that is the base for the monomyth which is so prevalent today. The fact that Beowulf is one of the oldest manuscripts known to man, thought to have come from before the norman conquest shows that it might have even originated and been a catalyst for the creation of the classification of the classic …show more content…
One element of a widespread Christian philosophy is found peppered throughout the pages of the epic. “... Man survives only through the protection of God, that all earthly gifts flow from God, and that the proper bearing of man is to be humble and unselfish.” (pace.edu/christ). This contributes to the heroic elements present in Beowulf’s countinance. The idea that all good come from god is only exemplified in how the men treat their good fortune. “...The world is God’s, He allows/A man to grow famous, and his family rich,/Gives him land and towns to rule/And delight in, lets his kingdom reach/As far as the world runs-and who/Inhuman unwisdom, in the middle of such power,/Remembers that it all will end, and too soon? (Beowulf, 1728, 1734). This is somewhat contrasts to Candide’s Journey in that they both had biblical connections, however in Candide's case they viewed religion as oppressive and hindering instead of as a gift. "I had not always bleared eyes and red eyelids; neither did my nose always touch my chin; nor was I always a servant. I am the daughter of Pope Urban X, and of the Princess of Palestrina." (Candide
In the beginning of Beowulf, Beowulf was portrayed as the pinnacle of the young, brave, chivalrous knight-like warriors expected during the Anglo-Saxon period. He rushed to Hrothgar’s kingdom of the Danes from the kingdom of the Geats, which is believed to be an area of southern Sweden, to save the kingdom from destruction at the hands of Grendel. He had no responsibility other than to kill the monster and ensure the immediate safety of his party and the town. He …show more content…
Although he skips some steps beowulf follows the main points almost exactly even if he skips some steps. He goes from “birth” to the “call to adventure” to ”crossing the threshold”, “the final battle”, “flight”, “return”, and “home” in his death. (Berkeley). The story is the epitome of an epic poem of the epic hero, and in that is the base for the monomyth which is so prevalent today. The fact that Beowulf is one of the oldest manuscripts known to man, thought to have come from before the norman conquest shows that it might have even originated and been a catalyst for the creation of the classification of the classic …show more content…
One element of a widespread Christian philosophy is found peppered throughout the pages of the epic. “... Man survives only through the protection of God, that all earthly gifts flow from God, and that the proper bearing of man is to be humble and unselfish.” (pace.edu/christ). This contributes to the heroic elements present in Beowulf’s countinance. The idea that all good come from god is only exemplified in how the men treat their good fortune. “...The world is God’s, He allows/A man to grow famous, and his family rich,/Gives him land and towns to rule/And delight in, lets his kingdom reach/As far as the world runs-and who/Inhuman unwisdom, in the middle of such power,/Remembers that it all will end, and too soon? (Beowulf, 1728, 1734). This is somewhat contrasts to Candide’s Journey in that they both had biblical connections, however in Candide's case they viewed religion as oppressive and hindering instead of as a gift. "I had not always bleared eyes and red eyelids; neither did my nose always touch my chin; nor was I always a servant. I am the daughter of Pope Urban X, and of the Princess of Palestrina." (Candide