Examples Of Beowulf's Physical Journey

Beowulf's Physical Journeys The physical journeys that Beowulf goes through in this poem are more than a mere change in location. They represent a change that Beowulf is going to go through. After each journey, since they were followed with a fight, or battle, Beowulf changes. He changed in more ways than just young to old; he changed into a heroic warrior and eventually a king. On top of just changing physical location, he changes his status among the people of Geatland and Denmark. The physical journeys also bring a level of difficulty to the story. Instead of just fighting battles and becoming heroic in his homeland, he must travel to other places and fight for other people besides his to gain even more fame for himself. Beowulf's first journey from Geatland to Denmark is his first journey of change. Beowulf travels to Denmark to repay King Hrothgar for his

Since he comes back a mightier warrior, his reputation is quick to spread when his people are in a time of crisis. Beowulf’s king Hygelac, who was another motive for his journey to Denmark, dies in a battle and his son in a feud. This left the people in need of a king. This point in the poem is where we see the biggest change of all. All of his battles he went through that deemed himself worthy of the fame he craved, led the people to believe in him so much that he became the king of the Geats. For the thanes, warriors fight all their lives out of loyalty to their kings, and Beowulf, who was a well respected and highly acclaimed warrior, was getting to become that king that men would so shamelessly fight for all because of how bravely and hard he fought for king Hygelac. “So Edgetho's son proved himself,/ Did as a famous soldier must do/ If glory is what he seeks: not killing his comrades/ In drunken rages, his heart not savage,/ But guarding God's gracious gift, his strength,/ Using it only in war, and then using it/ Bravely”.