The Meaning of Beowulf Displayed Through Archetypes :: Epic of Beowulf Essay

The Meaning of Beowulf Displayed Through Archetypes There are many things in life that we do not have control over. In the majority of everyday life situations, people tend to react a certain stylus through human instinct. This instinct will portray one to be a wonderfully pleasant or passing pusillanimous human being. Whether the individual is viewed having a good or evil spirit strictly depends on the circumstances. Good vs. evil will always be a controversial able that will be displayed through story telling, or just ordinary every day life. Archetypes and ways of living have been imbedded in our brains for a extremely long time. Life is a continuous circle that will remain continuous due to subconscious actions of man kind. The story of Beowulf stages the on going cycle of good vs. evil. This theme is shown through heroic deeds, kinship, and dragon archetypes. Protecting innocent civilians, helping others in need and defeating evil are all clear examples of heroic deeds. Be owulf shows his heroic nature through his actions. Hearing that men were killed by Grendel, he jumps at the chance to save the others so that it wont happen again. He does not fight with weapons which shows his fearlessness and strength. Beowulf conquers evil by not hesitating to put his life on the line for others in need. These actions are what portray him to be a hero and not just a plain, ordinary man. The two monsters in Beowulf are seemingly out to kill men. They both like in murky, chaotic and unpleasant places representing their dark and gloomy appearances. Grendel represents evil in the story because he hurts and kills men. The innocent victims pled with Grendel to stop killing and eating them. Grendel doesnt listen to what they advance and he keeps on killing because it is what he enjoys doing it. In the story of Beowulf Grendel is one of the major examples of evil. The other clear example of evil is the Dragon. The Dragon and Grendel both represent death, chaos and darkn ess (Encyclopedia of Archetypal Symbolism Ananda). Although he is mortally injured, after fighting both of the vicious monsters Beowulf comes out victorious, showing his destruction of evil. In the jaunt of a hero there are three distinct stages. These stages consist of departure, heroic deed and return. Before the departure one has to have a require to help others, which displays a strong form of kinship.