What triggers Beowulf's Call to Adventure?

• A. Beowulf hears of Grendel and wants to go to Denmark to kill him.
• B. He stays home because he is content.
• C. He is summoned by the king.
• D. He meets Grendel in Geatland.

Answer: (B)

The moment a hero steps into the unknown is the Call to Adventure. For Beowulf, that trigger is when he learns about Grendel’s terror and decides to act, traveling to Denmark to help the Danes by confronting Grendel. This shows Beowulf voluntarily leaving the familiar Geatland to take on a dangerous quest, which is the essence of answering the call and crossing into the adventure ahead.

Staying home would keep him in the ordinary world, not starting the journey. Being summoned by the king would be an external prompt, not Beowulf’s own decision to pursue the danger. Meeting Grendel in Geatland would occur after the journey begins, not the moment he first chooses to embark.