Hero’s Journey in Beowulf How does a hero today compare to a hero in the 5th or 6th century? Now, a hero is considered a selfless and courageous superhero or just an average person saving lives one way or another. In Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney, Beowulf encompassed a supernatural warrior who ventured through the hero’s journey for honor instead of love or riches. “Often for undaunted courage, fate spares the man it has not already marked”, (572-573). Beowulf claims if your fate has not been decided yet, you can survive through your sheer nerve and courage. Beowulf exemplifies a hero because of his nobility and code of arms that he lives by.

The first act of the “Hero’s Journey” said by Joseph Campbell is “Departure” which consists …show more content…
The “Descent” is where the hero crosses the threshold from the mundane into the unknown and goes through massive development while facing both internal resistance as well as external challenges. The “Initiation” is where the hero reaches the highest peak and undergoes the “Ordeal”, then winning the biggest challenge and reaches “Apotheosis” (Campbell). In the stage “The Hunt” in the “Hero’s Journey”, the hero must draw on power from within themselves to keep persevering. “Hunter and victim were bound like kin, for they both mystically participated in the trans mutability of the life force” (60-64 Campbell). “… she has taken up the feud because of last night, when you killed Grendel, wrestled and racked him in ruinous combat since for too long he had terrorized us with his depredations. He died n battle, paid with his life; and now this [powerful other pne arrives, this force for evil driven to avenge her kinsman’s death. Or so it seems to thanes in their grief, in the anguish every thane endures at the loss of a ring-giver, now that the hand that bestowed so richly has been stilled in death.” (1333-1344 Beowulf). Grendel’s mother set out to avenge her son and kills many and captures a friend. Beowulf pledges to kill the monster for Hrothgar again, proving he is willing to defend nations and proving …show more content…
The hero becomes a new transformed self physically and spiritually and is a master of two worlds. In the stage “Monster Combat”, the heroes prove themselves through hand-to-hand combat. “[The hero achieves] another characteristic…arête-excellence. The heroes have now triumphed over the ‘dark road of trials’, and they are ready; physically and spiritually, for the final showdown” (Henderson 93-101). “I have heard moreover that the monster scorns in his reckless way to use weapons; therefore, to heighten Hygelac’s fame and gladden his heart, I hereby renounce sword and the shelter of the broad shield, the heavy war-board: hand-to-hand is how it will be, a life-and-death fight with the fiend”(433-440 Beowulf). Beowulf not only is going to slay Beowulf, but he is going to gain glory by beating Grendel by strength. In “Monster Combat”, Beowulf aims to defeat the demon in a fair way supporting his code of arms and proves his nobility by helping Hrothgar with evil in his