...famous author, mythologist, and most notable for his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces. During the mid 1900’s, Campbell studied the heroic ideology throughout the world and time. Campbell realized similarities of the heroic journeys between the different cultures and time periods. Even though all heroic stories are different, they all have common patterns of their journey. He wrote his discovery in the book The Hero with a Thousand Faces. To summarize the heroic journey, Campbell wrote in his book, “A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: The hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power...
Words: 1538 - Pages: 7
...warrior and vice-versa, symbolizing the acknowledgement of honor and reward from one generation to the next. Treasure is viewed in each of the battles as proof of victory and with this proof of success, the holder of such treasure proves that he is worthy and deserving of loyalty from and by brave warriors. After slaying Grendel, Grendel’s mother, and the dragon, treasure is gained and passed along to the next generation, such as when Hrothgar gives gifts to Beowulf, who distributes it among his people, to show and symbolize the potential sacrifices made to gain the treasure, and thus the bravery, honor, success, and reward that the treasure surely represents throughout the text. After Beowulf slays the monster Grendel, King Hrothgar rewards and thanks Beowulf for his efforts by offering him several objects considered treasure. Among the multitude of objects that he presents to Beowulf: “He gave to Beowulf the blade of Healfdene/ a golden war-standard Roberts: 2 as a reward for victory” (Beowulf 1020-1021) Here the word “treasure” is substituted with “a golden war-standard”, which implies that the treasure was a reward for Beowulf’s heroic deed of slaying the monster that terrorized King Hrothgar’s kingdom and people, and by custom it is such that Hrothgar re-distributes this treasure to Beowulf, as a symbol of honor and...
Words: 1126 - Pages: 5
...done, and what he will do or the good of other people” (Literary analysis: Heroism as portrayed in Beowulf). Compared to the others the character Beowulf, he represents the true qualities that myself look for in a hero. It’s not even close to me; also his faith in God and knowing that he is in control shows his tremendous character that a lot of people would love in a hero. Beowulf defines heroism, from his bravery, honor, strength, and unselfishness to put others lives before his, and in terms of positive morals he fits that description perfectly. In the epic poem Beowulf, “Much of this epic poem is dedicated to conveying and exemplifying the heroic code which values such attributes as strength, courage and honor.” (Beowulf and the Heroic Code). Beowulf heroic ways in the story cannot be ignored he had several amazing heroic displays in the story. Beowulf’s first display of epic heroism is his unselfish defense of Heorot from the violent acts of Grendel. Even though Heorot is not at all his own hall, Beowulf shows his bravery to defend his people even if the attempt ends his life. Right before arriving to Heorot, Beowulf makes a statement “And so, my request, O king of Bright-Danes, dear prince of the Shieldings, friend of the people...my one request...
Words: 1408 - Pages: 6
...order to avoid a war. Throughout his journey, Percy has three central heroic traits that are particularly expressed. He is remarkably selfless, determined, and courageous. The first heroic trait that Percy portrays is selflessness. The first example of when he is selfless is when he gave the lightning bolt to Hades just so he can get his mom back. This shows that he cares a lot for his mom. They are in the underworld and Hades found the bolt and grabs it, so Percy can get his mom back. After Hades betrays them...
Words: 812 - Pages: 4
...officer informing a soldier’s mother about his recent death. The senior officer speaks gallant lies of the soldier’s death to his mother in attempt to lessen her sorrow. Through the use of both sentimental and hostile diction and irony, Sassoon challenges our notions of heroic sacrifice and constructs a brutal and dehumanizing representation of war as well. Throughout this Speech, I will show how Sassoon’s clear use of structure, irony and diction assists him in his endeavour to privilege this representation. The poem is written in very clear iambic pentameter. The simplicity of the overall rhyming scheme emphasises the...
Words: 751 - Pages: 4
...how they lived and died without the hope and consolation of the Christian faith (“Beowulf” 30-31). Beowulf is an epic poem that describes various characters and events from the sixth century, in particular the story of a brave warrior named Beowulf, his many heroic adventures, and his ultimate death. This poem originated from both legends and myths from other cultures that originally were passed down orally from generation to generation and then eventually recorded. By definition, an epic poem is a “long narrative poem in an elevated style that celebrates heroic achievement and treats themes of historical, national, religious, or legendary significance.” Some common characteristics of an epic that are obviously evident in Beowulf are the use of specific types of figurative language, the fighting of heroic battles against supernatural creatures, the unusual behavior of god-like heroes, and the array of geographical settings which are often included in a long journey (“Epic”). One characteristic of epic poems is the use of certain types of figurative language. One type of this elevated language is an epic simile, “an extended simile often running to several lines used typically in epic poetry to intensify the heroic stature of the subject and to serve as decoration” (“Epic simile”). One example of an extended simile in Beowulf is Hodges 2 the comparison of the Geats’ boat to a bird, which begins in lines 217-219 (“Beowulf”). A similar type of description, which is...
Words: 1360 - Pages: 6
...Thesis x2?: The Beowulf poet aims to use the monsters as puppets in order to demonstrate the problematic pride of the Germanic society, thus making the good and bad more similar than initially believed. (Perhaps more like “than given by first impression”) Grendel is one of the representations of the problematic pride within the Anglo-Saxons’ heroic society. As known of the society, one’s glory arises from their accomplishments for their lord or king. The Germanic culture believed heavily on the sharing of prizes, thus making them (nonselfish) people. Their honor was seen to be eternal, considering how their names were known throughout history. In this sense, the natural (happening?) of these accomplishments is for the holder to go higher in...
Words: 1847 - Pages: 8
...Beowulf is introduced as a courageous and powerful warrior and hero. He is greatly admired and looked up to by many. This traditional story is about Beowulf coming to help Hrothgar king of the Danes to rid his kingdom of the wicked beast, Grendel. As the text says in lines 61-62, “Herot stood empty, and stayed deserted for years, twelve winters of grief for Hrothgar”, that is until Beowulf came. He defeated Grendel but shortly after had to kill Grendel’s mother as well, for she was killing to avenge her lost son. Then many years pass and Beowulf is back in his homeland and has now been crowned the king. King Beowulf’s kingdom is peaceful until a dragon awakes and terrorizes his kingdom and Beowulf must battle one more time. Unfortunately, Beowulf...
Words: 500 - Pages: 2
...Which hero is truly a hero to mankind Zeus, or Perseus? Zeus is the most powerful deity, god in ancient Greece. Zeus's role was that he was the god of social order, and law. They say Greek mythology Perseus is the son of Zeus. Perseus was a demigod and Zeus was a deity god. Perseus was the heroic slayer of the Gorgon Medusa, the mythical creature who turns people into stone. The mother of Perseus was Danae the daughter of King Acrisius of Argos. Zeus was also known as the king of the gods, protector of justice and social order. Although, Zeus and Perseus are outstanding, brave, and strong heroes in Greek mythology, to human Perseus showed more heroic deeds than Zeus. First, how is Zeus and Perseus lives differ from each other. Zeus was the most powerful god in Greek mythology, he was a deity god. Perseus was known as the slayer of Medusa and he was a demigod. Zeus was the supreme ruler, he was “The Lord of the Sky” (Hamilton 24). An oracle predicted that Danae the mother of Perseus would bear a child who would one day kill his grandfather who is the most powerful god Zeus. Zeus's most powerful skill is to the bolts out of lighting. He could also have the authority to take control over the weather causing huge storms and rain to the human world. That’s how Zeus and Perseus lives differ. (Zeus. Myths and...
Words: 784 - Pages: 4
...to show his thankfulness by thanking God for giving them safe travel across the sea. Beowulf is lead to Hrothgar and offers him is services. Beowulf is asked by the warriors to tell of his past defeats while eating in Hrothgar's palace. Beowulf is already a hero to the people of this land for he is about to rid them of their enemy. As an ultimate hero, Beowulf decides, to be far, he will not use weapons in his battle against Grendel since Grendel reputedly does not use them. "I do not consider myself a lesser fighter than Grendel does himself; therefore I will not kill him with a sword, and deprive him of life in that way.... No, this night we two will abstain from swords..." That night, even after hearing of all of Beowulf's heroic defeats, the warriors still feel that no man on earth will be able to stand up to the evil Grendel carries. Beowulf will either defeat Grendel or die in the process. "Let me live in greatness...and courage," he says, "or here in this hall welcome...my death." Beowulf awaits the arrival of Grendel then goes on to defeat him and sends him back to...
Words: 1233 - Pages: 5
...hero. The main characteristics of Beowulf are his personality, his great strength and his heroic code. The personality trait that Beowulf contributes to being an epic hero is his humility. This supports him being an epic hero because it shows his humbleness when it comes to how great other people thought he was. He didn't take pride in being the strong and noble person he was. For instance, when Beowulf goes to battle with Grendel, he says he will win if it is God’s will. Here, Beowulf shows how he is not overconfident about himself and he shows how he is trusting in what ever happens, if he wins or loses, that that will be the right thing to happen. Another example of his humbleness and modesty is when Beowulf goes to Herot and approaches the king, Hrothgar, with deep respect. This shows how Beowulf does not have pride in himself. Something an epic hero wouldn't have either. The second characteristic that Beowulf proves to have to be an epic hero is his physical strength. In lines 380-384, it shows how much actual strength Beowulf possesses. Another example would be when he goes into battle with Grendel’s mother. Here, he proves his extraordinary strength when he decides to throw his sword aside and fight Grendel’s mother with his bare hands. He actually fought and killed her only using his hands, nothing else. Yet another characteristic Beowulf possesses to be an epic hero is his heroic code. For example, in lines 261-266 it shows his noble birth from his outstanding and wise...
Words: 491 - Pages: 2
...Daughter of Zeus, Athena was born fully grown from her father's forehead. This Greek goddess has no mother, but there are tales that say Zeus may have been with Metis around the time Athena arrived. Athena is the goddess of wisdom and warfare. She is known for her strategic skill in warfare and is known as “companion of heroes” and is the patron goddess of heroic strive (“Athena”). The Athenians considered her their “protector” and in honor of this, they named their city after her; Athens (“Myths”). She is commonly symbolized with an olive tree. Her sacred animals are the snake and owl. Athena is usually described as a rosy cheeked girl with a muscular body (“Athena”). She was one of the three Greek goddesses that remained a virgin (Littleton 171). Athena is one of the only goddesses that shows heroic skill and wisdom and she is one of the most important Greek and Roman goddesses known during this ancient time period....
Words: 609 - Pages: 3
...There are parts of the heroic code that are not constant with the christian beliefs. For example, Beowulf thinks that instead of grieving over the death of a friend, they should seek out revenge. Gold and gift-giving resembles praise and appreciation for someone. For example, when Hrothgar gives Beowulf gifts after defeating Grendel. Also, when Beowulf receives the sword Naegling or Hrunting as a gift of bravery and triumph. Additionally, Beowulf gives a golden gift to Wiglaf before he dies for his bravery for staying in battle with him and not running away like the others. The poem Beowulf shows very important female roles in the story. For example, Wealhtheow doesn’t just serve the men at her husband’s barty, but she also reaffirms social norms and customs. Grendel’s mother also...
Words: 506 - Pages: 3
...The Many Discoveries of Beowulf Although this poem isn’t of love or lust, it is filled with epic fights that lead to a great amount of bloodshed and celebrations for the hero. Beowulf’s writer created a great deal of complications when writing this poem. He used many themes and symbols the portray his tragic poem. The characters are very unclear but each have their reasoning for being in the poem, one being revenge on something or someone. Kathryn Hume stated, “ If a good man and the abstraction “ troublemaking” are given heroic shapes and matched in contest, we expect the good man to win, for troublemaking is not a sin likely to overcome him” (10). “ The early history of every nation is full of legend and myth. In literature, people try to record and describe the early history and to honor their heros in poems, epics, and folklores” (Wang 52). Beowulf is the main character throughout the poem, however the author tells us nothing about Beowulf’s past life other than his father was a great warrior as well as Beowulf himself. However, a young age Beowulf was considered cowardly. “ Were the poem centered on Beowulf himself, we would expect to learn something about him as a person” (Hume 2). The little we do know about Beowulf is still a great amount on his courage. He fights three battles and with each one he portrays a little bit of heroism. “Though he was little-known when coming to the Danes, he is full of courage and energy. Though he decreases in his strength in his old...
Words: 1552 - Pages: 7
...Beowulf is one of the epic poems portraying a heroic concept. The Anglo-Saxon time frame used Old English to come forth a generation of literature, which included heroic poetry. Beowulf consists of many characters contributing to the plot of the poem. There are both basic and complex archetypes shown in the poem. The epic poem includes many archetypes but the most dominant ones including the hero, the shadow, and the herald. In the epic poem, Beowulf, the author uses archetypes to develop the plot. The main character Beowulf, displays a superior archetype in the epic poem by being the hero within the story. A hero is defined as one who gets praised for brave acts and Beowulf does exactly that. Beowulf displays this archetype in various ways...
Words: 659 - Pages: 3
