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The Hero's Struggle In Beowulf

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Many conflicts are presented to the characters which they need to resolve and overcome. Fate brings many of these works together and is one of the main forces behind the plot. Many characters cannot control their fate, as it was determined by their ancestors long before them. Beowulf was obligated to help the Danes with their battle with Grendel, and their was nothing that could have prevented him from doing so. Some are able to escape the clutches of fate for awhile, but eventually they are consumed and destroyed by its will not to be denied. The Hero has the power to win many fights over dangerous enemies, and they seem to many to be unbeatable. They are able to overcome any and all obstacles they are bombarded with, withstanding both physical and mental wounds. Often given the opportunity to give in, the hero never quits. Adding to the bravery of the hero is their desire to fight. Usually they go out and look for fights for the good of their family and kinsmen. These villains are often seen living in deep, dark places difficult to find, and even harder to get through. But, by using the magical gifts and weapons they are able defeat the villains. …show more content…

One can see the struggles faced by Thorin and the dwarves to return to the mountain and retrieve their gold. Similar to the dwarves, Beowulf is engulfed in the paganistic beliefs of fate. The fate of the characters are often laid out in a prophecy, stating the quest and who or what are involved. “Far over the Misty Mountains Cold, To dungeons deep and caverns old, We must away ere break of day, To seek the pale enchanted gold.” (Tolkien 14). Believing every word of these prophecies, the heroes went out and followed them precisely, refraining from the thought that this quest may bring them to a tragic

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