Choosing to Be a Hero - Beowulf's Journey

Choosing to be a Hero

Beowulf’s Journey

Beowulf, directed by Robert Zemeckis, is set in sixth century Denmark; a time and place where the Norse Gods were still worshiped. This engaging setting is ideal to watch the title character transform from hero to fool and back to hero. King Hrothgar was a dragon slayer and hero in his day; however he was seduced by Grendel’s mother, an inhuman female. She is as Clifton Snider in A Brief Outline of Jungian Psychology would describe, “evil incarnate.” Hrothgar’s off-spring with this devil is a depraved creature, Grendel. Beowulf will fight to destroy this monster. However, Beowulf is a flawed man, consumed by glory. Can he resist the temptation of power and riches?

Our hero is the title character, Beowulf. The movie even announces him as the hero. After the opening scene of death and destruction, King Hrothgar bellows “What we needs is a Hero.” The next scene reveals a ship in a tumultuous storm with Beowulf confidently at the helm. Snider uses Lord Raglan in The Hero: A Study in Tradition, Myth, and Dream as his demonstration of a hero. Just like Lord Raglan, Beowulf defeats “a wild beast, he marries a princess [queen], becomes king.” This is a classic portrayal of the hero in literature. However, the true hero must also include an understanding of one’s Self.

The Fool is another main archetype in the movie. King Hrothgar enters the great hall being carried in on this throne. He is anything but regal. He is drunk, his robes are disheveled and at times they even fall off. Snider would state that this is a “relatively benevolent form of the fool.” As the movie progresses, Beowulf himself becomes the fool. This time it is because he is “driven by greed or an inordinate desire for fame” as Snider describes. His overwhelming desire for power has caused his Hero archetype to be overthrown by the Fool.

We see Beowulf’s desire for power and fame even as this mighty warrior battles Grendel in the King’s...