Beowulf Quest Myth

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A quest myth is format for a story, in which a man, many times accompanied by an assistant, goes on a dangerous journey to fight for a trophy. This trophy is something that they bring back, such as gold, swords, armor, or many times safety for the people. The prize is not just for the hero’s own personal gain or glory, but also for other people around them. The structure of a quest myth is underlying in all stories from the earliest, Beowulf, to the more recent. In Beowulf, the protagonist must go through several challenges in order to complete the story. First, he goes to the land of the Danes, an old ally, to aid them in a fight with a monster so evil that the Danes themselves are unable to defeat. After conquering this monster, he goes on to defeat its mother, as a favor to the King. His final fight comes between him and a dragon, which has threatened him and his people. These two stories, although very different content, have the same frame. Both heroes, although brave and heroic in their own ways, must rely on others in order to succeed. “Booze”, by Pinckney Benedict is a perfect example of a basic quest myth. While this story does not contain the glory, and the heroism as Beowulf, the protagonist carries out the responsibilities of a quest myth hero. The protagonist must find the courage to vanquish a beast that has burdened him since he was a young boy. He must do this, in order to be free from his insecurities, nightmares, or fears. These two stories are perfect examples of quest myths, and prove that all stories are related in frame, and can be prominent or very recessive. Beowulf is a classic example of a quest myth. Beowulf, the quest hero, is tested three times throughout the novel. The first is to slay the dreaded monster Grendel. Grendel has plagued the Danes for twelve years. Each night he comes and takes thirty warriors from Heorot. The Danes try

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