Archetypes In Beowulf

Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon epic that represents the major influences of the culture. Much of what is known today is based on the poem, because of its cultural importance and the many values that are reflected in it. The cultural influence of the novel has been examined by many scholars and the poem has been placed as the foundation for knowledge of Anglo-Saxon culture. The archetypal patterns that make up most of Beowulf are what make it so important to modern knowledge of Anglo-Saxons and its influences on literature throughout time. The culture of the Anglo-Saxons influenced the author of Beowulf, but Beowulf, itself, has been influenced by the cultures throughout time. The culture influence on the author is evident by the archetypes typically
Throughout the novel, emphasis is placed on Beowulf’s fate and destiny to be the greatest warrior of all time. In the final passage, Beowulf slays the dragon, however he is poisoned by the dragon’s bite and dies. This dragon represents wyrd, or fate and destiny. From when Beowulf first encounters the dragon, he is unsure of whether or not he would survive the battle, “his mail shirt could not help him… lifted what was left of Nagling, his ancient sword, and swung it… Nagling broke to pieces… the hardest blade could not help him” (Beowulf 2673). The dragon brings death to Beowulf and the end of the epic, representing the end of Beowulf’s legacy and the end of his story. The author uses many Anglo-Saxon writing styles with the use of kennings and alliterations. Kennings replace the name of persons with descriptive phrases. It is often used with Grendel, Beowulf, and various battle terms. Beowulf is the Geats’ “lord and leader” (Beowulf 1642), Grendel is the “shepherd of evil” (Beowulf 750), sword is called “ancient relic” (Beowulf 1687). Alliteration plays a large role in the epic, with nearly every line having some form of alliteration in it. Because the Anglo-Saxons rarely used end rhyme, the author also does not use end rhyme and instead uses alliteration, as was in place by the oral tradition of the Anglo Saxons. Alliteration made it easier to remember the stories.
Comitatus, the way in which these rulers gathered most of their territory, was a pledge thanes made to a king where, in exchange for wealth and weapons, they would fight for the lord. Beowulf’s clan of Geats and the king of the Danes both had these groups through comitatus. Beowulf’s comitatus was one of friendship and honor. In the speech by Hrothgar to Beowulf and his tribe of Geats, he warns Beowulf about betraying this pact of comitatus for glory by telling the story of Hermod. Hermod, a gifted ruler, betrayed his own followers going as far as to killing his own men in their mead hall. He also was very prideful and arrogant. “Be not as Hermod once was to my people, too proud to care… he killed them himself… He shared out no treasure, showed his soldiers no road to riches and fame” (Beowulf 1709-1720).
Beowulf has played a huge role in English literature. As the first known epic in the English language, it provides a window into the culture and history of the Anglo-Saxons. The archetypes and underlying themes in Beowulf also help provide the influence this culture had on the author. Beowulf represents the major principles of the Anglo-Saxon hero: bravery, kinship, honor, and fraternity. He is loyal to the Geats and the bond they have. These cultural influences on both the author and the poem have made Beowulf the basis for studying the Anglo-Saxon culture and the history of its