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Symbolic Archetype- The magic Weapon
This Symbolic archetype represents the weapon the hero needs in order to complete the quest (google.com). The quest is to kill Grendel’s mother to save Hrothgar’s people and end the curse of “strange vicious creatures” (Raffel,46). While in the battle against Grendel’s mother, Beowulf discovers that “no sword could slice her evil skin” (Raffel, 54). Beowulf begins to struggle against Grendel’s mother. At one point she held him helpless and was ready to avenge her son’s death (Raffel, 54). This quest was to not only kill Grendel’s mother, but also to find a way to kill her. Beowulf then spots a weapon hanging on the wall of her liar that is “ a heavy sword, hammered by Giants, strong. And blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons… no ordinary man who could lift (Raffel, 54). Meaning Beowulf is the only person that is able to use it because he kills Grendel’s mother with this sword and completes the quest using the magic weapon.
This Symbolic archetype represents the weapon the hero needs in order to complete the quest (google.com). The quest is to kill Grendel’s mother to save Hrothgar’s people and end the curse of “strange vicious creatures” (Raffel,46). While in the battle against Grendel’s mother, Beowulf discovers that “no sword could slice her evil skin” (Raffel, 54). Beowulf begins to struggle against Grendel’s mother. At one point she held him helpless and was ready to avenge her son’s death (Raffel, 54). This quest was to not only kill Grendel’s mother, but also to find a way to kill her. Beowulf then spots a weapon hanging on the wall of her liar that is “ a heavy sword, hammered by Giants, strong. And blessed with their magic, the best of all weapons… no ordinary man who could lift (Raffel, 54). Meaning Beowulf is the only person that is able to use it because he kills Grendel’s mother with this sword and completes the quest using the magic weapon.
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Character Archetype- The Outcast
The outcast Archetype is described as a character who is banished from a social group for a real crime against fellow men. Grendel can be depicted as the outcast (google.com). At the beginning of the epic poem the narrator talks about how he lives in darkness and growls in pain. Grendel would hear music playing, poet's clear songs being sung, and men living happily in Hrothgar's hall (Raffel, 41). Grendel is an outcast because he isn’t with Hrothgar’s people, rather he is all alone living in darkness. Grendel is also even more of an outcast because of a real crime against his fellow men when Grendel would snatch up 30 men, slaughter them, and tortured Hrothgar and Hrothgar’s kingdom for twelve years to anyone who dared to stay in the Mead hall, when Grendel was still alive. This makes him an outcast in society due to him committing a serious crime (Raffel, 41-42).
The outcast Archetype is described as a character who is banished from a social group for a real crime against fellow men. Grendel can be depicted as the outcast (google.com). At the beginning of the epic poem the narrator talks about how he lives in darkness and growls in pain. Grendel would hear music playing, poet's clear songs being sung, and men living happily in Hrothgar's hall (Raffel, 41). Grendel is an outcast because he isn’t with Hrothgar’s people, rather he is all alone living in darkness. Grendel is also even more of an outcast because of a real crime against his fellow men when Grendel would snatch up 30 men, slaughter them, and tortured Hrothgar and Hrothgar’s kingdom for twelve years to anyone who dared to stay in the Mead hall, when Grendel was still alive. This makes him an outcast in society due to him committing a serious crime (Raffel, 41-42).
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Situational Archetype- The Quest
The quest Archetype is a hero who must bring back peace, order and fertility to a troubled land (google.com). Beowulf exemplifies this archetype when he defeats the three evil creatures (Grendel, Grendel’s Mother and The Dragon). The First quest Beowulf goes on is a quest to kill Grendel, saying he will “cool his burning sorrow” of the vicious creature (Raffel,44). Beowulf had victory but Grendel’s Mother kills Hrothgar’s closest friend, Beowulf is put on another quest and kills Grendel’s Mother. He saves the Danish people from the evil curse of Grendel and his mother once and forall and brings back peace, order and fertility to the trouble land. Fifty years pass and Beowulf is faced with his last quest The Dragon who had been menaces Beowulf’s kingdom (Geatland). With the help his warrior Wiglaf, Beowulf kills The Dragon. He again brings back peace,order and fertility to the Geats as he did to the Danes, with these three monsters Beowulf exemplifies the quest Archetype (Raffel,56).
The quest Archetype is a hero who must bring back peace, order and fertility to a troubled land (google.com). Beowulf exemplifies this archetype when he defeats the three evil creatures (Grendel, Grendel’s Mother and The Dragon). The First quest Beowulf goes on is a quest to kill Grendel, saying he will “cool his burning sorrow” of the vicious creature (Raffel,44). Beowulf had victory but Grendel’s Mother kills Hrothgar’s closest friend, Beowulf is put on another quest and kills Grendel’s Mother. He saves the Danish people from the evil curse of Grendel and his mother once and forall and brings back peace, order and fertility to the trouble land. Fifty years pass and Beowulf is faced with his last quest The Dragon who had been menaces Beowulf’s kingdom (Geatland). With the help his warrior Wiglaf, Beowulf kills The Dragon. He again brings back peace,order and fertility to the Geats as he did to the Danes, with these three monsters Beowulf exemplifies the quest Archetype (Raffel,56).
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Character Archetype- Mentor Pupil Relationship
The mentor pupil relationship archetype is a relationship the mentor teaches the hero necessary skills for surviving the quest (google.com). The mentor is Hrothgar and the hero is Beowulf. Hrothgar is the mentor when he teaches Beowulf of the dangers he will face in Grendel’s Mother’s lair and how she is like in battle saying she is like a “female creature mightier than man.” With this Beowulf is able to be prepared for Grendel’s mother and defeat her (Raffel,52).
The mentor pupil relationship archetype is a relationship the mentor teaches the hero necessary skills for surviving the quest (google.com). The mentor is Hrothgar and the hero is Beowulf. Hrothgar is the mentor when he teaches Beowulf of the dangers he will face in Grendel’s Mother’s lair and how she is like in battle saying she is like a “female creature mightier than man.” With this Beowulf is able to be prepared for Grendel’s mother and defeat her (Raffel,52).
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Situational Archetype- The Unhealable Wound
The unhealable wound archetype is described as a psychological wound that cannot be fully healed and a loss of innocence (google.com). When fifty years go by Beowulf still thinks he can kill any monster even when he’s too old to fight. Instead of being nervous into battle with The Dragon. Beowulf is rather confident (Raffel,56). Because of this Beowulf is psychologically wounded due to him thinking is younger than he really is (Raffel, 57).
The unhealable wound archetype is described as a psychological wound that cannot be fully healed and a loss of innocence (google.com). When fifty years go by Beowulf still thinks he can kill any monster even when he’s too old to fight. Instead of being nervous into battle with The Dragon. Beowulf is rather confident (Raffel,56). Because of this Beowulf is psychologically wounded due to him thinking is younger than he really is (Raffel, 57).
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Character Archetype- Hunting Group of Companions
The hunting group of companions archetype is described as loyal companions willing to face hardships and deal in order to stay together (google.com). Beowulf's men is an example of this when they stay loyal to Beowulf and enter the Mead hall to join the attack to kill Grendel. Even though he has been slaughter warriors for twelve years. But they do so to defeat Grendel (Raffel, 49).
The hunting group of companions archetype is described as loyal companions willing to face hardships and deal in order to stay together (google.com). Beowulf's men is an example of this when they stay loyal to Beowulf and enter the Mead hall to join the attack to kill Grendel. Even though he has been slaughter warriors for twelve years. But they do so to defeat Grendel (Raffel, 49).
Character Archetype- The Devil Figure
Devil figure archetype is described as a character who is evil incarnate (google.com). This character is Grendel. Grendel for twelve years would "snatch up 30 men, smashed them" making him evil (Raffel,42). He is evil incarnated when the narrator says, "no crime could ever be enough, no savage assault quench his lust." Meaning that killing all those men were never enough for him. No money, settlement or any price would chnage him, he simply did it just for enjoyment. Making him an evil incarnate character (Raffel, 43). |