What is a hero? A hero could be the firefighter rushing into a fiery inferno, the woman who volunteers her time at the local soup kitchen, or even a parent who helps their child tend to a scraped knee. Although these people may not be like the heroes we read about in the comics or see in movies, they all still portray the same characteristics of courage, strength, and selflessness.
In the poem, Beowulf, the title character displays these same qualities by saving others from a series of blood-thirsting monsters. He puts others before himself in every situation and does so with modesty. Throughout the poem Beowulf completes challenges that mold him in the archetype of the hero’s journey. The hero’s journey is a coming of passage in which the hero is taken from their everyday world, drug through a series of challenges, and returns home with a newfound wisdom. Through his journey Beowulf charms readers with his altruistic manner which is prevalent in his first step of the hero’s journey: departure.
Grendal, a ferocious beast descending from Cain, was terrorizing Heorot, the mead hall of Hrothgar. Once Beowulf heard of the devastation Grendal was causing the Danes, he started planning his voyage to assist with no hesitation. After receiving approval from his king, he promptly assembled fourteen of his strongest soldiers to depart Geatland and cross the sea to support him in battle.
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Heard now Grendal filled nights with horror
And quickly commanded a boat fitted out,
Proclaiming that he’d go to that famous king,
Would sail across the sea to Hrothgar,
Now when help was needed. (Beowulf 112-116)
Stage one, departure, was now complete. He had voyaged across the high seas to help Hrothgar and his people. Now that he was there he entered stage two: initiation.
Upon entering Denmark he was adjourned by the king’s guards. After stating his business, he and his men were complimented on their aura of bravery and were told of how grateful the Danes were for their arrival. “My lord, the great king of danes, commands me to tell you that he knows of your noble birth and that having come to him from over the open sea you have come bravely and you are welcome”. (Beowulf 127-130)
Hrothgar informed him on the defoliation brought upon by Grendal for the past 12 years. At this point, Beowulf had crossed the threshold into the unfamiliar, threatening world. Through Hrothgar he gained more and more knowledge on his opponent. He was now ready for stage three of his journey: the road of trials.
A hero’s road of trials can vary from miniscule disputes to full on wars; however, their common ground is that they all test the hero’s bravery, cleverness, and perseverance. Beowulf was first confronted during the third stage by Unferth. Unferth, jealous and intimidated, attempted to downgrade Beowulf’s honor by recalling on a swimming match he had been defeated in, and claimed that Beowulf would face the same result after encountering Grendal.
Beowulf in his heroic stature called Unferth out on his intoxication and explained how he would not have survived the feat if he were placed in the same situation. In hopes of repairing his pride he warned Beowulf, “… no one has ever outlasted an entire night against Grendal”. (Beowulf 527-528) One trial may have faded, but Beowulf had many more ahead of him. That night he waited for the beast inside of Heorot. The monster was shocked by his strength despite being unable to use weapons, as no weapon on Earth could harm him.
The monsters hatred rose higher,
But his power had gone. He twisted in pain,
And the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder
Snapped, muscle and bone split
And broke the was over, Beowulf
Had been granted new glory. (Beowulf 336-341)
Beowulf proved himself and demonstrated all the skills that are associated with the road of trials. He showed his endurance by keeping up with the monster’s strength and was resourceful in discovering his achilles heel. With great pride he hung Grendal’s severed arm by the walls of Heorot. News of his victory traveled quickly and he became admired for his accomplishment. Peace had been restored and all gratitudes were being given to Beowulf. However, they were not prepared for the beast who was stalking the celebration. Grendal’s mother attacked the mead hall in search for revenge and fled with Grendal’s arm and a victim.
Beowulf once again rose to the occasion and defeated yet another trial on his heroic journey. Eventually, Beowulf became King of Geatland and ruled for fifty years. Now decrepit and wise, Beowulf was faced with the fourth step in his journey: the innermost cave. Here, the hero enters an underworld to be challenged with their final and greatest trial. This trial in someway, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually, allows the hero to be reborn and internally changed forever. Beowulf’s innermost cave is when Geatland is targeted by the fiery breath of a dragon. Remembering his bravery of past victories he knew what was needed of him.
…I am old now,
but I will fight again, seek, fame still,
if the dragon hiding in his tower dares
to face me”. (Beowulf 608-611)
Beowulf even in his feeble years held onto his same courage he gained from his trials. Like his body, his armor and shield were debilitated. The battle between Beowulf and the dragon were taking a turn for the worst. Luckily, his men stepped in to complete the job; however, the injuries sustained in battle were pernicious. In his last breaths he advised Wiglaf to go attain all the jewels and gold from the dragon’s lair, and to lead and bolster his people.
… I thank
Our father in heaven, the Ruler of the Earth
For all of this, that his grace has given me,
…, I sold my life
For this treasure and I sold it well. Take
What I leave, Wiglaf, Lead my people,
Help them; my time is gone. (Beowulf 805-812)
These final phrases illustrate his final step of his journey perfectly. Beowulf returned to his society and shared his wisdom gained from his journey with those succeeding him. He demonstrated courage, strength and selflessness throughout his journey, all characteristics of a true hero.
