Psychological Analysis Of Beowulf: The Hero's Journey

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Psychological Context Beowulf’s first call to action in this story is when he hears about Grendel. He accepts the “mission” and heads to Daneland to kill her. He crosses the first threshold as Campbell explains when he fights Grendel in the mead hall. Which is something that falls into human and nature. We can’t always explain what things are or for what reason they exist but we fear them. Grendel was someone that was feared because of the harm he caused and the fear that that caused on all the people of Daneland. When Beowulf defeats Grendel it causes him to enter the next stage of Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey,” the belly of the whale. Bent on revenge Grendel’s mother emerges from her lair. She kills Hrothgar’s fried and that’s when he send …show more content…
The meaning of a warrior and a hero is that they are fearless and are ready to risk their live for the people and their king. This then shows loyalty which will come reward with treasure and praising. After slaying Grendel the Demon from Cain Hrothgar rewards Beowulf with gifts. King is the gift giver when a good dead is done for the well-being of the kingdom and for the king gifts are giving. A gift exchange is done you do something significant for someone it is not unpaid it shows gratitude for the great dead. After the slaying of Grendel and Grendel’s mother had passed Beowulf hears of the dragon. He therefore goes and fights the dragon even when he suspects his own death. This shows Beowulf’s character of selflessness and strength the character of a hero. A hero must confront the dragon because he is not afraid of dying he only shows his strength and loyalty to the people. This gains him respect and a sense of power all around. Unfortunately the killing of the dragon also leads to Beowulf’s death as he had suspected this was his final apotheosis. Beowulf is honored and buried as a great warrior and hero should be. A hero’s legend should be remembered. A hero is about legacy as well and the passing of the legacy must be made. As in modern time a great hero or person is mourned about for days and their stories are retold re celebrating their great victories.
Contemporary
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They believe in one god and that that one god created everything. Paganism is the opposite they believe in many gods and everything has a spirit. Also, unlike Christians they don’t believe in a devil and that one will come back reincarnated and not just live one life and that end of life you will either be sent to hell or heaven. As stated before paganism believes that everything has a spirit trees, rivers, flowers etc. which for a Christian’s that doesn’t exist the only things that have spirits are humans and other living things. Now Christians believe that there is only one god who created everything. But how exactly could that be possible and no one will really know if people do go to either heaven or hell for their sins or good

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