The Hero's Journey Beowulf Analysis

Beowulf fits the mold of a hero in many ways. Towards the end of the story, we see the selfless acts Beowulf has done. In the hero’s journey, the hero accepts the challenge he is given. Beowulf accepts the challenge King Hrothgar offers. Since Grendel has been attacking the mead hall, Beowulf accepts the challenge to fight Grendel himself to save the Danes from death. He crosses the threshold here, seeing his own power he realizes what he is capable of. After slaying Grendel thinking everything would be okay, Beowulf soon encounters another evil, Grendel’s mother. Grendel’s mother was out for revenge for the murder of her son. She attacks Heorot Hall but then quickly flees. This begins Beowulf’s road of trials. Beowulf and his Geatish warriors, and Danish warriors track Grendel’s mother back to her cave. Under the surface, Beowulf finds Grendel’s mother. At the time, Beowulf stays under the surface for quite a while, allowing his men to think he was dead. But Beowulf slays Grendel’s mother with a trusty sword saving the people from harm. Here, Beowulf reaches the ultimate boon in a hero’s journey. He achieved the goal of the quest.
This starts the return of Beowulf back to Geatland, where he is the lord in the court of King Hygelac. King Hygelac is Beowulf’s uncle and wise mentor. Eventually King Hygelac are all involved in blood feuds leading them to death. Beowulf encounters Apotheosis in the hero’s journey. His family all had died and he was in line to become King of the Geats. Beowulf reigned for fifty years, protecting the Geats from the harmful surrounding tribes, especially the Swedes. Back in his town he was known as a honorable, heroic, warrior-king who rewarded his lords and took care of the