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Essay Comparing Beowulf And Spiderman

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Both Beowulf and Spiderman are commonly known as heroes that go through the literary hero's journey. Anglo-Saxon epic heroes are willing to put their own lives in danger for the greater good providing people with a sense of security. Beowulf, a brave, courageous, and noble conqueror, has his journey begin with his “call to adventure” as the kingdom of King Hrothgar needs Beowulf 's help in Denmark because the monster, Grendel, is killing everyone. Normally there is a refusal to call. However, Beowulf is so confident in himself that he is willing to immediately begin gathering his men to leave for Denmark. On the other hand, Spiderman starts as a nerdy, high school kid, Peter Parker. He is an orphan with an unhappy life. Peter's “call to adventure” is when he is bitten by a radioactive spider while attending a school field trip to an experimental lab. Peter later goes home feeling under the weather when he notices he has the abilities and proportionate strength of a spider. Peter does not understand what the “call” is at this stage nor how he can help people. Instead of …show more content…

Beowulf 's helmet and sword fail to help him, but he finds a magical sword which he is able to use to kill Grendel's mother as well. The point that Spiderman “approaches the inmost cave” is when he captures the man who killed his Uncle Ben. This moment signifies the old, selfish Peter is dead and a new righteous Peter is about to embark on the journey to become Spiderman, the super hero. Spiderman is warned by the Green Goblin that the public will turn on him in spite of the good he has done for the city. The Green Goblin has found out Spiderman's identity. Spiderman goes in combat against the Green Goblin. This battle tests all the abilities he has learned and also his character because he can’t kill the Green Goblin for he is the father of Peter’s best

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