Beowulf
The journey of a hero, as Joseph Campbell describes, "is often is a type of adventure in which the hero has no idea what he is doing, but suddenly finds himself in a transformed realm . . . with the typical hero act--departure, fulfillment, return." Beowulf embarks on the journey of a typical hero beginning with a call and departure to an unknown land, not knowing what is his embarking upon, proceeded by various tests of his mettle that become progressively more difficult, and finally a return home with the knowledge of life that he has gained from the trials and incorporates them not only into his transformed self, but into the creation of the perfect community. However, Beowulf's journey becomes more than the archetypal journey, for he delves into a deeper realm of consciousness that exposes the counterforce of life-- "the power of the dark side." His journey transcends into a quest of revelation, that unlocks the counterposing forces of life that must be recognized and defeated. It is in conquering the dark forces that Beowulf can take the antithetical forces of life and join them harmoniously in his creation of a perfect community of balance and happiness.
The return involves transmitting the hero's transformed and increased knowledge of life among his people in order to create a perfect community. In his last words, Beowulf reflects on his journey through life and his battle with good and evil: "I may still rejoice: for when my life shall leave my body the Ruler of Men may not charge me with the slaughter of kinsmen" (P 138)-- He dedicated his life to the restoration of brotherhood and peace among people through fighting the dark forces. They firmly believed in his laziness--'the atheling was idle'!" (p. He accomplished amazing deeds in his rule, deeds that no other ruler could perform, but the hero, Beowulf. His speech crushes the audacity of Unferth and Beowulf confidently takes on his next trial with Grendel. Beowulf commences his life-long journey as a man with little identity. Before Beowulf returns to his homeland, he completes the evolution of his mind when Hrothgar passes on his wisdom: Put away arrogance, noble fighter! The boon of your strength shall last for a while now, but in a little time, sickness or a sword will strip it form you: either enfolding flame, or a flood's billow or a knife-stab or the stoop of a spear or the agliness of age; or your eyes' brightness lessens and grows dim. He was to begin a new life of mysterious identity that he must shape and develop. In his glory, the people built him a tomb "fair after fire, on the foreland by the sea that shall stand as a reminder of him to his people, towering high above Hronesness. Once Beowulf emerges from the mere, he begins the final phase of the hero's journey: the return. " (p 140)-- high in the heavens above the opposing forces of evil that lie beneath the water gate. When entering the mead hall where he will await Grendel, Beowulf is fully aware of the fact that he may not come out alive. During Beowulf's reign, there is a new era of peace and harmony, and now that he is gone, the people of Heorot must begin again with Beowulf as their model. Yet in his death, the darkness is once again conquered.
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Acceptance Essays
