HERO’S JOURNEY GRAPHIC ORGANIZER—MUNGALL
Name:_Hannah Williams_
Directions: As you read through each section of Beowulf, complete each section of this graphic organizer to see if the hero Beowulf fits Joseph
Campbell’s Hero Archetype. Your responses should be in complete sentences for the center column. If you need help with examples of the Hero’s
Journey Characteristics, please see your lesson on Beowulf: Pre-Reading Analysis.
HERO’S JOURNEY
CHARACTERISTICS
UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCE
OF BIRTH
LEAVES FAMILY OR LAND
DOES BEOWULF FIT THIS CHARACTERISTIC?
HOW? WHY NOT?
Yes Beowulf fits this characteristics because he has born
in a noble family. He is born as the Prince of Geats and as
a nephew of king.
Yes Beowulf has left his family and land, and he has
traveled to Heorot to fight with the monster Grendel. He
has a courageous man and this is why he has taken this
brave decision that he has left his land to fight with evil.
SUPPORTING TEXTUAL
EVIDENCE
“In his far-off home Beowulf, Higlac’s
follower and the strongest of the Geats –
greater and stronger than anyone
anywhere in this world…” (109-111).
“My father was a famous soldier,
known far and wide as a leader of men.
His name was Edegtho. His life lasted
many winters; wise men all over the
earth surely remember him still.” (174-
179)
“…would sail across the sea to Hrothgar,
now when help was needed.” (115-116)
“…he knew the sea, would point the
prow straight to that Danish shore.”
(123-124)
“Then they sailed, set their ship out on
the waves, under the cliffs.” (125-126)
“Whose soldiers are you, you who’ve
been carried in your deep-keeled ship
across the sea-road to this country of
mine?” (151-153) “He who had come to
them from across the sea…” (399)
 HERO’S JOURNEY GRAPHIC ORGANIZER—MUNGALL
“I’ve never known fear, as a youth I
fought in endless battles.” (624-625)

The hero Beowulf denies the call to adventure because he “The strongest of the Geats – greater and
INVITATION TO ADVENTURE
knows that he is strong enough and powerful to do his job. stronger than anyone anywhere in this
world…” (110-111)
“…my hands alone shall fight for me,
struggle for life against the monster.”
(267-269)
Call of adventure is also in lines 190 and
209.
Yes there are variety of swords Beowulf has among which "I have heard moreover that the monster
HERO’S SPECIAL WEAPON
four most important swords are Hrothgar's gift, the sword scorns
with the engraved hilt, Hrunting, and Naegling. His in his reckless way to use weapons;
swords have also some magical powers in them. By therefore, to heighten Hygelac's fame
having these special weapons still Beowulf has decided to and gladden his heart, I hereby renounce
fight without weapons because he is a hero. sword and the shelter of the broad
shield,
the heavy war-board: hand-to-hand
is how it will be, a life-and-death
fight with the fiend." (433-440)

Beowulf believes in gods this is why he has received
SUPERNATURAL HELP
supernatural help from those gods when all forces go in
his sword to make it more powerful. In the first battle
strength of Beowulf also represents the supernatural aid.
It is Beowulf's supernatural aid that
helps him defeat Grendel. He grips
Grendel with such a "hard grip" that
Grendel screams with "horrible shrieks
of pain and defeat" (page 34, line 358).
 HERO’S JOURNEY GRAPHIC ORGANIZER—MUNGALL
Beowulf is described as "greater and
stronger than anyone anywhere in this
world" (page 27, line 110).
Beowulf is accompanied by "the
mightiest men...the bravest and the best
of the Geats" (page 27, line 120).
Beowulf has proven his superhuman strengths at the end On earth or under the spreading sky Or
HERO PROVES HIMSELF
of story by killing Grendel and Grendel’s mother. He has between the seas, neither south nor
shown his bravery, loyalty, and his outstanding fighting north, Was there a warrior worthier to
skills. rule over men. (But no one meant
Beowulf's praise to belittle Hrothgar,
their kind and gracious king!) . . .(540-
544)
The journey of Beowulf represents the true picture of Lines 2821-3182
THE JOURNEY AND
bravery and heroic depiction but since to get something
UNHEALABLE WOUND you need to lose something as well. Beowulf dies during
fight with dragon. Beowulf is a fearless hero and her death
has indeed left an unhealable wound in hearts of readers
but then every fearless hero has to die at the end.
Hrothgar supports Beowulf. Beowulf's atonement with the Lines 855-860
ATONEMENT WITH THE
father happens when he comes back with gifts to Hygelac.
FATHER Hygelac then praises him for his achievements and
success.
Since Beowulf has always some supernatural aid and so “Praising him for heroic deeds, for a life
APOTHEOSIS OF THE HERO
he remains in a god-like state and has rested in rest and as noble as his name.” (860-861)
peace. This is what happens to every hero that by the end
of killing all evils the death of hero even becomes the
victory.