Preview

Examples Of Monomyth In Beowulf

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
346 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Examples Of Monomyth In Beowulf
As a poem, Beowulf illustrates the concept of the Monomyth structure perfectly. According to the Monomyth structure, a story must have several components, or stages, in order to be considered an epic. These stages are: the call to adventure, leaving the homeland, descent into hell, the return with gifts and finally, death. As expected, Beowulf experiences all of these stages throughout his adventures. In the land of the Danes, a monster named Grendel has been terrorizing and murdering the people and the king’s finest soldiers for about ten years. It is around this time when Beowulf hears “in his home, Hygelac’s thane…of Grendel’s doings”. This is when Beowulf receives his “call to adventure”. After receiving it, he must gather his men and
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Grendel's 'Monster In Beowulf'
    • 1140 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Grendel's 'Monster In Beowulf'

    In the book of beowulf there is this monster named grendel who haunted the moors “he is this powerful monster laying down in the darkness growing in pain”. And further on in the book, their i this hero Beowulf the bravest, stronger man than anyone in the world. One night grendel was angry with all the noise the king and the king's men were making, so he goes down and kills a lot of his men. This happens several times.the hero Beowulf hears their cry for help and comes to kill grendel. At the end he kills him with no weapons he” ripped him apart and cut his body into parts”.…

    • 1140 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Comparing Loyalty In Beowulf 'And The Hobbit'
    • 997 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Comparing Loyalty In Beowulf 'And The Hobbit'

    Loyalty is his virtue throughout every battle he fights in. According to Marie Lazzari, “the loyalty within the war band was at the heart of Anglo-Saxon social organization” which exemplifies Beowulf’s Anglo Saxon ancestry. In the past, Beowulf's father, Ecgtheow, had needed assistance and Hrothgar had come to his aid. Beowulf comes to the aid of Hrothgar, because he feels devoted to the king due to what happened with his father. This set the stage for the loyalty Beowulf feels. Hrothgar says, ''Beowulf, you’ve come to us in friendship, and because Of the reception your father found at our court.'' (38-39) and shows Beowulf is aiming to do the same. It is crucial to him to do everything in his power and to devote himself to Hrothgar. Beowulf first shows his loyalty to Hrothgar when he agrees to help him rid the castle of the monster, Grendel, who has been terrorizing the mead hall for the past twelve years. Beowulf intends to defeat Grendel,…

    • 997 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Anglo Saxon Society In Beowulf
    • 1276 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Anglo Saxon Society In Beowulf

    The sound of battle echoed from the halls of Heorot to the plains of geatland, Beowulf in all his glory was a conquering hero that was approaching his twilight years as king. As such he faced a new challenge, in his youth he fought and defeated Grendel and his mother to defend the people of Denmark and Heorot, he was now called to defend his land from this dragon. This beast which had awakened from its dormant rest and was now on a rampage to defend its treasure. These monsters shared many similarities that tie together with a unifying message. In Beowulf, the values and views of Anglo-Saxon society are reflected in the idea that both Grendel and the Dragon serve as warning that no man is immortal or god like and that we will all face judgement.…

    • 1276 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Comparing Beowulf And Grendel's
    • 530 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Comparing Beowulf And Grendel's

    Beowulf is the main character in his own Epic, with Grendel being the first obstacle to overpower. A Simple description for a simple book. For this reason Grendel is a cliché character that the readers will dismiss with hast; Grendel is a straightforward, but horrifying, monster. “So mankind's enemy continued his crimes, Killing as often as he could, coming Alone, bloodthirsty and horrible” (79-81). Grendel is not as plain in Grendel the novel, he is every bit as gory though. “I lift her by the armpits as though she was a child and, gently, I set her aside” (147). This tells a many great things, first is Grendel’s…

    • 530 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Grendel And Beowulf Similarities
    • 1349 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Grendel And Beowulf Similarities

    Grendel comes because he hears all of the partying and joy. Grendel knows that the men will soon be too drunk to fight so he goes in and attacks. Unfortunately for him Beowulf was waiting for Grendel to attack by acting like he was asleep. While Grendel is killing the other men Beowulf jumps on his back grabs his…

    • 1349 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Compare And Contrast Beowulf And Grendel
    • 393 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Compare And Contrast Beowulf And Grendel

    Beowulf, an epic poem written in England in the 8th century, introduces us to a character known as Grendel, a vicious beast who terrorizes a village in Denmark. In 1971, an American author named John Gardner reintroduces the character, this time re-telling the story from the monster’s point of view. In both stories Grendel is portrayed in many similar, but also many different ways.…

    • 393 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf And Grendel Research Paper
    • 659 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Beowulf And Grendel Research Paper

    The two works of literature Beowulf and Grendel are both based off of the Anglo-Saxon’s oral tale of the Geat hero Beowulf. Both stories take place between 500–600 A.D. in Denmark during the invasions of England by the Scandinavians. The story of Beowulf was first written by catholic monks in about 725 A.D. and tells the story about the Geat hero Beowulf coming to help the Danes take care of an evil monster named Grendel. In contrast the modern interpretation of the story of Beowulf written by John Gardner, called Grendel, tells the first half of the story Beowulf from the view of the monster Grendel. In John Gardner’s Grendel, Grendel displays several signs of goodness. Grendel’s attitude towards helpless animals, his innate dislike for violence, and his instinctive apology to the Danes after listening to the shapers songs are all “seeds” of goodness. These “seeds” of goodness are prevented from sprouting because of misunderstandings, the dragon’s foul guidance, and the dragon’s gift.…

    • 659 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Unwanted Qualities In Beowulf
    • 950 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Unwanted Qualities In Beowulf

    In the poem, there are three monsters. They each represent qualities that good humans should not have, while Beowulf can represent some of the qualities we should want. The first of the three monsters is Grendel. Grendel was an outcast in the Dane society. “He had dwelt for a time/ in misery among the banished.” (l. 104-105) He is a descendent of Cain, therefore expected to be evil. And when King Hrothgar…

    • 950 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Ambiguity Of Grendel In Beowulf's First Villain
    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Ambiguity Of Grendel In Beowulf's First Villain

    Beowulf’s first villain Grendel is an exceptionally diverse character. His nature is ambiguous. He is a mix of man and beast and his fury is based on very human feelings of resentment and jealousy. Although Grendel is portrayed as an animal like demonic creature of some sort, upon further examination the reader begins to sympathize with the very human emotions that drive him to kill.…

    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf: Bravery Vs. Fear And Religion
    • 678 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Beowulf: Bravery Vs. Fear And Religion

    In the story Beowulf there is many themes that are going on in the story. One that stands out is Heroism, because Beowulf was willing to sacrifice his life to please the king. Beowulf felt the need to help the king because of their past history. The king wanted Grendal dead so that is what Beowulf did. Beowulf has been in so many past fights that he is not afraid to fight one more battle. “I’ve never known fear, as a youth I fought in endless battles. I am old now But I will still fight again seek fame still. If the dragons hiding in the tower to face me” (606-611). Beowulf is getting older and older he is not afraid to fight Grendal and if it is his last he…

    • 678 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Biblical Allusions In Beowulf
    • 599 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Biblical Allusions In Beowulf

    In this passage, Beowulf is speaking to Grendel after tricking Grendel into thinking he is asleep. Grendel is in a state of shock after his “accident” and Beowulf has solidified his upper hand in the fight.…

    • 599 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How To Be An Epic Hero In Beowulf
    • 526 Words
    • 3 Pages

    How To Be An Epic Hero In Beowulf

    The elements of an epic poem contain a hero of legendary proportion, adventures of superhuman strength and valor, and involvement in the super natural. The story of Beowulf is a prime example because the main character, Beowulf, fulfills all the aspects necessary to identify an epic poem and hero. The qualities that an epic hero has are displayed in Beowulf by being a hero of great importance, having adventures of epic strength and valor, and being involved in defeating supernatural.…

    • 526 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf's Loyalty
    • 400 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf's Loyalty

    In this case, when Beowulf first arrives to the Danish shore, he boasts to Hrothgar, “That I, alone and with the help of my men,/ May purge all evil from this hall” (260-261). Beowulf promises the Danes’ lord in his speech that he will kill Grendel. By making this promise, Beowulf is giving Hrothgar his trust and will stay faithful to his promise. Furthermore, after the battle with Grendel, the epic illustrates, “No Dane doubted/ The victory… Beowulf had hung it, was the monster’s/ Arm, claw and shoulder” (407-410). Beowulf won the fight with Grendel and proved his skill as a warrior by harming the monster. By maintaining his promise to Hrothgar to slay Grendel, Beowulf demonstrates his loyalty. In essence, Beowulf lived up to the ideal of his loyalty to…

    • 400 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Epic Poetry and Beowulf
    • 1069 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Epic Poetry and Beowulf

    Beowulf is a very courageous character and recounts his acts of courage to every person who will listen. In the poem Beowulf tells of his previous courageous actions in destroying a tribe of giants, defeating sea monsters in the night and returning from battle covered in his enemies blood. Beowulf has come to King Hrothgar to fight an ogre. A monster that has brought misery and death to the Danes for many years. This ogre, Grendel, killed thirty of Hrothgar’s men and caused the great mead hall of Herot to be closed. Beowulf tells King Hrothgar “the monster’s scorn of men Is so great that he needs no weapons and fears none. Nor will I” (lines 262-264) Therefore Beowulf intends to fight the Grendel without his armor or his sword. Beowulf may be so courageous because he believes so strongly in fate shaping his successes in the past. Beowulf believes that if it is his fate to win against Grendel then he will win. If it is his fate to die…

    • 1069 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Beowulf
    • 577 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Beowulf

    The first of his three major battles was Grendel, a beast who ventured into Heorot (the Danish mead hall) and swept up all the drunken men for a feast. Hearing of this monster Beowulf set sail from Sweden to Denmark to face Grendel. Before the battle he and his men only had one drink to ensure they had their wits about them. Then later in the night they lay waiting for the beast to appear acting as if they were drunk and unconscious. Grendel burst through the large metal doors. The stench of so many of the dead choking the air, looks around and finds his first target, one of Beowulf’s men. He snatches him up, bites his head off and proceeds to drink him like a juicy-juice before consuming him whole. His next victim wouldn’t be taken so easily though. The foolish Grendel grabs at Beowulf who is waiting patiently for the beast. Beowulf then grabs onto Grendel’s arm and proceeds to tear it clean off at the shoulder. Scared Grendel runs with his tail between his legs back to the hellish pit he calls home where he dies before his own mother.…

    • 577 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More

Related Topics