Know Your Archetypes. In this article you will learn about the archetypes in Beowulf , the Old English poem dating to the early Medieval period, which contains early examples of various archetypes commonly seen in literature throughout the ages. In Beowulf himself the archetypal hero of literature is personified. He endures great hardship but is willing to sacrifice everything, even his life, for the greater good. He saved a country from being tormented any longer, and front being eaten by the vicious Grendel.
Beowulf not only left his own country, but also went to try to save another country from being killed and eaten. He twisted in pain and the bleeding sinews deep in his shoulder snapped, muscle and bone split and broke. The other comrades who came, but left the minute it got difficult could never compare to those with such bravery and strength like Beowulf and Wiglaf.
None of his comrades came to him, helped him, his brave and noble followers; they ran for their lives, fled deep in a wood. And only one of them remained, stood there, miserable, remembering as a good man must, what kinship should mean.
The Villain — Grendel, the main monster Beowulf is determined to kill, is the villain in this epic. Grendel was the first and by far the worst out of all the three.
Wiglaf stays to help Beowulf when he is injured after the fight with the dragon. The Scapegoat : The scapegoat is when someone who is supposed to be the most dangerous dies, but than a more dangerous force comes in its place.
Hrothgar mentors Beowulf to become a ruler. Symbolic Archetypes Light Vs. Darkness- Light is a universally known symbol of warmth, vitality, and purity.
On the contrary, darkness is associated with despair, death, and isolation. While the rest of the town sleeps, the men of Herot Hall are bursting with life and movement.
This presents a foil to the rest of the motionless town that is silent in the company of darkness. Haven Vs. Wilderness — Places of safety contrast from places of the dangerous wilderness in Beowulf. While Herot Hall is considered a safe haven, the Moors is an area isolated from the realms of society.
They had decided to stop living in constant fear of Grendel. King Hrothgar made the executive decision to call Beowulf to attempt to slay the beast. The Threshold : Beowulf and his warriors must cross the threshold to enter Herot. The men are put in harms way of Grendel, but they enter because they promise Hrothgar and his people a safe place that is free of Grendel.
This change of scenery and adventure mark the gateway which they enter. They come to make a change in Herot for the safety of those who inhabit this dangerous land. Share this: Twitter Facebook.
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