Archetypes In Beowulf Analysis

The following analysis of Beowulf discusses these archetypes: the hero, the outcast, the task, the initiation and the scapegoat. When talking about archetypes in Beowulf, the main character of the story, Beowulf, is considered the hero of the story. Throughout the entirety of the plot, Beowulf is seen saving the day 3 times with multiple battles. During his battle with Grendel, Beowulf chooses to not use a weapon to make the fight more honorable so he uses his bare fists. “He (Grendel) twisted in pain, and the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder snapped, muscle and bone split and broke.” (Lines 389-392). Beowulf rips the arm off of Grendel, who proceeds to flee back to his den. Then Beowulf has to go find the den where Grendel and his mother live after one of King Hrothgar’s closest friends is killed in an act of revenge from Grendel’s mother. After using his sword which has no effect on

Herot is being terrorized by Grendel as he sneaks around at night and kills the innocent people of Herot during the night. Beowulf and his men hear of the attacks from Grendel so they decide to go to Herot to try to help defeat the monster and says, “You know that your country is cursed with some strange, vicious creature that hunts only at night and that no one has seen. It’s said, watchman, that he has slaughtered your people, brought terror to the darkness” (Lines 185-190). Beowulf is telling them that he knows of the monster and promises to defeat it. After Beowulf tears off the arm of Grendel, his mother goes to Herot during the night. “That night however, Grendel’s mother kidnaps and kills Hrothgar’s closest friend and carries off the claw that Beowulf tore from her child” (subplot of The Monster’s Lair). Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother and eventually becomes king of Herot. A dragon then menaces the kingdom and Beowulf, who is about 70 years old, has to fight the