What makes a hero? Is it the long luxurious hair, the blindingly white teeth, or perhaps to dashingly good looks? No, what makes a hero is something much more than physical appearance but rather how well they reflect their culture. The concept of a hero is not a new one in fact it resonated through all human history, every civilization has had their own version of a hero. The heroes in these civilizations are all a reflection of what characteristics that culture finds favorable. Anglo-Saxons for example found strength, valor, and loyalty all attractive traits, so naturally Beowulf embodies them. Carl Jung introduced the theory that a hero is the expression of humanity’s collective unconscious, that all heroes share certain characteristics because
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Luke Skywalker starts out a poor moisture farmer and ends reviving the Jedi Order, King Arthur begins as a peasant and becomes King, Frodo is an innocent teenage hobbit who becomes the hero of Middle Earth. While the Journey has several different stages and aspects it can be broken down typically into three main sections: The beginning of the quest, the trials of the quest, and the resolution of the quest. Beowulf exemplifies the perfect Anglo-Saxon hero as he completes the archetypal Hero’s Journey. To undertake a journey a hero must first have a reason to initiate such a feat, for Beowulf his call to action was that he heard about Grendel’s attack upon Heorot. Beowulf who has already defeated sea …show more content…
Beowulf’s first obstacle is to defeat Grendel who is the representation of evil, a monster who kills and eats his human victims. While at Heorot Beowulf is treated to a grand feast, and after the party is over Grendel sneaks in and laying in wait is Beowulf. Beowulf engages Grendel in battle and it isn’t long before Beowulf using his godlike strength rips Grendel’s arm off “The monster’s whole body was in pain, a tremendous wound appeared on his shoulder. Sinews split and the bone-lappings burst.(814-817). Grendel then retreats to the swampland where he will undoubtably will die. Beowulf and his men rejoice and return to Heorot where King Hrothgar showers Beowulf in treasure as thanks for defeating Grendel. This giving of gifts is a part of Anglo-Saxon clute called comitatus where the ruler gives his men gifts for their loyalty and service, these gifts help the warrior rise through the ranks. Another feast begins and everything is fine, until Grendel’s Mother is a rage attacks and kills one of Hrothgar’s best friends. Once again Hrothgar asks Beowulf to defeat the monster and in return Beowulf would be given his undying thanks. Seeing another chance to prove himself Beowulf accepts and soon he and his men travel to Grendel's Mother’s swamp-cave. Only Beowulf can make the trip and he faces her alone, he finds her in the cave with Grendel’s corpse. He first attack her with the sword
Luke Skywalker starts out a poor moisture farmer and ends reviving the Jedi Order, King Arthur begins as a peasant and becomes King, Frodo is an innocent teenage hobbit who becomes the hero of Middle Earth. While the Journey has several different stages and aspects it can be broken down typically into three main sections: The beginning of the quest, the trials of the quest, and the resolution of the quest. Beowulf exemplifies the perfect Anglo-Saxon hero as he completes the archetypal Hero’s Journey. To undertake a journey a hero must first have a reason to initiate such a feat, for Beowulf his call to action was that he heard about Grendel’s attack upon Heorot. Beowulf who has already defeated sea …show more content…
Beowulf’s first obstacle is to defeat Grendel who is the representation of evil, a monster who kills and eats his human victims. While at Heorot Beowulf is treated to a grand feast, and after the party is over Grendel sneaks in and laying in wait is Beowulf. Beowulf engages Grendel in battle and it isn’t long before Beowulf using his godlike strength rips Grendel’s arm off “The monster’s whole body was in pain, a tremendous wound appeared on his shoulder. Sinews split and the bone-lappings burst.(814-817). Grendel then retreats to the swampland where he will undoubtably will die. Beowulf and his men rejoice and return to Heorot where King Hrothgar showers Beowulf in treasure as thanks for defeating Grendel. This giving of gifts is a part of Anglo-Saxon clute called comitatus where the ruler gives his men gifts for their loyalty and service, these gifts help the warrior rise through the ranks. Another feast begins and everything is fine, until Grendel’s Mother is a rage attacks and kills one of Hrothgar’s best friends. Once again Hrothgar asks Beowulf to defeat the monster and in return Beowulf would be given his undying thanks. Seeing another chance to prove himself Beowulf accepts and soon he and his men travel to Grendel's Mother’s swamp-cave. Only Beowulf can make the trip and he faces her alone, he finds her in the cave with Grendel’s corpse. He first attack her with the sword