Beowulf Hero Journey

Early Childhood

1 CE

Beowulf was born a Geat. He was part of the royal lineage and was a powerful man, so powerful, in fact, that he was stronger than any other man alive.

Call to Adventure

2

There is a demon by the name of Grendel which is terrorizing the people of Denmark and their king Hrothgar. In years before, Hrothgar took in Beowulf's father and protected in during a political rivalry. With his fathers debt on him, Beowulf decides to travel to Hrothgar and fight Grendel.

Crossing the Threshold

3

Beowulf gathers a group of the best warriors of his land and travels across the sea to go fight Grendel

Challenges and Trials Pt 2

4

After the battle with Grendel, the anger filled mother of Grendel wishes revenge against men. She travels to the where the Danes live and takes only one as to remain safe from Beowulf. With his debt not yet repaid, Beowulf travels to the waters where she lives and dives into them. When Grendel's mother finds Beowulf in her waters she takes him to a battle hall and there they battle.

Challenges and Trials Pt 3

4

After a near defeat Beowulf finds a special sword crafted by giants from a time long ago and uses it to kill Grendel's mother and take her son's head as a prize.
Many years later when he is an old man, Beowulf goes to fight a dragon in order to obtain his gold. As the dragon proves to be too much for him to defeat on his own, his men run away. Save one who stays to fight. At the end of the battle they defeat the dragon, but through the corse of the battle Beowulf is dealt a mortal wound.

Challenges and Trials

4

Upon his arrival to Denmark, Beowulf is faced with what remains of Hrothgar's people who haven't ran or been killed. Beowulf and his men wait in the long deserted hall, providing a meal that Grendel could not pass up. With his great strength, Beowulf is able to not only match Grendel but best him and have his arm as a trophy when Grendel runs away.

Mentor

5

Beowulf does not appear to have a mentor in this story. He is already the strongest and best in the world when he is introduced into the story.

Special Weapon

6

In the story Beowulf uses his bare hands to fight Grendel. This could be considered a special weapon that he wields because Grendel's skin dulls any weapon of man that touches it and therefor can not harm him.
The special weapon that Beowulf utilizes in his second battle is the ancient sword, made by giants long ago, that allowed him to kill Grendel's Mom.
In Beowulf's third battle, although his victory is short-lived it wouldn't have happened without Wiglaf.

Abyss or Temptation

7

One of the few places in Beowulf's journeys that he faced serious challenge was during the battle with Grendel's mother. The battle drags on long enough that he becomes in need of rest and stumbles. She instantly took advantage of this and pounced on him. At this point in the story is is said that she trapped him so well that he was in fact helpless.

Transformation

8

As Beowulf faces his defeat, in his battle with Grendel's mother, he finds a sword forged by giants long ago. With this sword he is able to defeat Grendel's mother and in doing so, save the Danes and repay his father's debt to Hrothgar.

Return Home

9

After defeating Grendel and Grendel's mother, Beowulf's debt is repaid allowing him to return home. He becomes king and rules peacefully for many years, until he one day dies in a fight with a dragon.

Mastery of two Worlds

10

Other than becoming king, Beowulf's life doesn't change much after his fights with Grendel and Grendel's mother. This is because he was already a hero and respected as one.