Beowulf and the Hero’s Journey

Joseph Campbells term monomyth poop be described as a paladins expedition. Many cuneusic characters hail the monomyth, no matter the metre period or culture the literature was created in. The poem Beowulf is known to follow the adventure of the genius described in Campbells monomyth . The heros move consists of three ordinances of passs separation, initiation, and return. Beowulf endures each of these plays through bulge the epic poem, so his voyage does follow Campbells monomyth. The separation is the first stage a hero must go through in his or her journey.This stage consists of a blunder -app atomic number 18ntly the merest chance- reveals an unsuspected world, and the individual is drawn into a relationship with forces that argon non rightly understood. (42) This is known as the heros teleph whiz call to adventure. In Beowulf, Beowulf heard how Grendel filled nights with horror and quickly commanded a ride fitted out. (197-98) Beowulf couldnt stay away when he h eard that help was greatly needed defeating Grendel he accumulated his men right away and shipped glum to Denmark. The next step is the refusal to call.Beowulf does not refuse to go on this adventure because of his honor. He believes he is the strongest Geat and good deal defeat anything. Following this step is eerie aid. Supernatural aid provides the adventurer with amulets against the tophus forces he is about to pass. (Campbell 57) In Beowulf the help give the gate be considered God. Beowulf much thanks God for back up him on his journey. For instance, He relied on for help on the Lord of All, on His care and favour. (1271-72) The final stage in separation is the crossing of the threshold.In this case the threshold can be considered the oceanic. Beowulf and his crew had to cross the ocean in order to come to Denmark to kill Grendel. When they arrive in Denmark they are basically starting their adventure right then, vowing to try and protect. The second rite of passage i n the monomyth is initiation. The hero moves in a dream primingscape or curiously fluid, ambiguous forms, where he must survive a succession of trials. (Campbell 81) This is known as the road of trials. Beowulf is tested when Grendels mystify retaliates to her sons ending.She lashes out and kills Hrothgars best man. Then, Beowulf goes down into her subvert where he duels her. He nearly loses his life when both his sword and armour fail him. No sword could slice her evil skin , that Hrunting could not hurt her, was useless now when he needed it. (1521-24) He took a magical sword that was hanging on her wall and killed her with it. Beowulfs helpers in this stage would be the sword and God. Without the sword he would not wealthy person been to kill Grendels contract. Beowulf relies on Gods help and often gives Him thanks after a battle is over.The next stage in his journey is the climax or final battle. After defeating Grendels mother, Beowulf returns to his hometown where he reigns as king for fifty years. He is a good king, guardianship peace in his country. After fifty years of peace, a fire-breathing tophus is awoken, so he must go protect his people. Beowulf and his warriors venture out to the dragons lair. He goes in alone, confident that he can defeat the beast. He is sadly mistaken Beowulfs armor starts to flux and his sword breaks against the dragons scaly back.He was left there to die when all of his fellow warriors ran away cowardly into the woods. Only one brave soldier remained Wiglaf. The final stage in initiation is the heros flight. This storys flight is Wiglaf saving Beowulf. Wiglaf runs into the dragons home with honor saying, Id rather burn myself than turn around flames swirling around my lord. (2651-52) Wiglaf defeated the monster, but couldnt save Beowulf. One of the dragons tusks have been stabbed into his neck, making it impossible to save him.As death surrounded Beowulf, he made Wiglaf the new ruler of the Geats. This was the final stage in the initiation of Beowulfs journey The final rite of passage is the return. The return is the end of the heros adventure. Campells states, his return is described as coming back out of the yonder zone. (188) When Beowulf dies, peace is lost in his country. His country ultimately returns to fighting and war. The end is really the beginning for a new ruler, Wiglaf, and a new time period of fighting.The final mapping of the heros journey is the elixir. An elixir is something the hero obtained during his journey that can be shared with society. It often defines the heros role in the society. Beowulfs elixir could be considered his story. Beowulf brought insight to his people and to the Danes that one can defeat demons and receive redemption. He showed them this when he defeated both Grendel and his mother and battled the dragon. Additionally, Beowulfs blessing of peace could be considered the elixir. While he was in rule, his land was safe.He kept peace for his peop le. Beowulf acquired this peace by defeating Grendel and proving that he was strong. The final rite of passage in the heros journey is basically just returning back to the beginning, or where the hero was at before his adventure started. Beowulf is a great example of Campbells monomyth. The sample path of the mythological adventure of the hero is a magnification of the ruler represented in the rites of passage separation initiation return which capacity be named the nuclear unit of the monomyth. (Campbell 23) Beowulfs journey follows each of these passages. First, is the separation. Beowulf begins his journey here and defeats Grendel. Next, is the initiation. Beowulf defeats Grendels mother, becomes king of the Geats, and battles the dragon in this stage. Finally, is the return. After he dies, peace is lost. The land he once ruled returns to a land of war and fighting. Although Beowulf does not exactly follow the heros journey, he does follow the main points Campbell makes in h is monomyth. In conclusion, Beowulf follows the monomyth on his adventure.