Exploring Campbell hero’s journey in the light of two selected epic poems: Beowulf and The Mwindo epic

Abstract

Through its various genres, literature reveals how many cultures hold stories about the triumph of heroic figures over fate, gods and nature. Among these literary forms, epic and myth hold a big space in dealing with human heroic exploits and superhuman deeds. These genres embed the consummation of all aspects of society and oral traditions. In this study, Campbell’s theory of heroic journey outline and Otto Rank’s theory of a mythic herowere used to analyse the protagonists in two epics namely The Mwindo Epic from Africa, and Beowulf from western civilization. Discussion revealed that the twoepics reflect the hero’s journey divided into three main sections videlicet separation, initiation and return. The two heroes’ journey reflects their power for each. It was also found that the two stories depict not only human heroic exploits but also superhuman deeds which range the protagonists not only amongepic characters but also other bygone heroes led by fate against which man’s power can alter nothing. The two epics teach humanity that one’s genuine heroism lies in their persistency.