Beowulf: the Hero Essay

Beowulf

The Anglo-Saxons were pagan people who believed in no life after death. However, they believed that you can live on forever in stories based on how you live. Some Anglo-Saxons attempt to achieve the goal of living on forever, but in order for them to reach this goal they must become a great man. Yet, this was no easy task because they must have bravery; courage and honor. These are all features of hero and there are two types of hero called an archetypal hero and a epic hero. In the Epic Traditions, David Adam Lemming says that an epic hero is a human with godlike abilities and power, and the archetypal hero must undergo sequences of becoming a hero (17-18). These sequences are to separate from familiar surroundings, then accomplish a daunting task, and used what you have learned from your journey (17-18). The archetypal hero and epic hero both resemble the Anglo-Saxon hero Beowulf.

In part one of Beowulf, the hero fits in perfectly as an epic hero because it says that, Beowulf the strongest of the Geats-greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in the world (lines 110). This statement shows that Beowulf must be really powerful and almighty if he is strongest in the world. In part one of Beowulf, the protagonist Beowulf does a daunting task where he swims through the sea for five days and wipeout a race of sea monsters (1.6-7.31-33). Then Beowulf challenges the dreadful beast even knowing that Grendel killed 30 men in one night, which it says on line 36. On part one of Beowulf, says, And was instantly seized himself, claws Bent back as Beowulf leaned up on one arm. That shepherd of evil, guardian of crime, Knew at once that nowhere on earth Had he met a man whose hands were harder: His mind flooded with fear-but nothing ( lines 430-435). These events that took place showed that Beowulf has great strength, bravery, god like powers, and honor, which are all characteristics of an epic hero and shows why hes an epic hero.

However, he was also an archetypal hero because Beowulf fits the stereotype of an archetypal hero perfectly. As of a result of that he did the steps of an hero which are to separate from their familiar surroundings, accomplish a difficult task, and return home with what they learn and to use it. In part one of Beowulf, it says In all, and led them down to their boats; He knew the sea would point the prow straight to that Danish shore (lines 122-124). This is the first stage that Beowulf went through, which was to separate from familiar surroundings. Then he completes the second stage in part one of Beowulf that explains Snapped, muscle and bone split and broke. The battle was over, Beowulf had been granted new glory: Grendel escaped, But wounded as he was could flee to his den, its miserable hole at the bottom of the marsh. Only to die, to wait for the end (lines 498-503). Finally in Beowulf part two explains after the defeat of Grendel and his mother he became king because since Beowulf had so much honor in battle, that people learned from him and is looked up to (pg 43). These steps that Beowulf went through define what an archetypal hero perfectly and this is why Beowulf is an archetypal hero.

So to the following conclusion Beowulf is an archetypal epic hero because he carries both traits of both an archetypal and epic hero. This Anglo-Saxon hero was able to under go the stages of an archetypal hero. Yet, he had the attributes of an epic hero which is Beowulf supreme strength and unbelievable endurance. This is why he two types of hero in one and that is what make him a unique hero.