Boewulf Vs. Tolkien

Tolkien and Beowulf

        In J.R.R. Tolkien and the True Hero by George Clark, Clark makes the argument that while Lord of the Rings was inspired by Beowulf, Tolkien wanted to make a true hero that was motivated by his own religious and moral ideal while still keeping tradition of old heros. Tolkien saw himself as following the same strategy as the poet of Beowulf and other authors of the Old Icelandic sagas. Clark discusses how in Tolkien's fantasy, he rewrites of heroic literature. For example, in “Monsters” and “Homecoming” separate themselves from Beowulf and Maldon form the heroic traditions that we see so often in literature. The heros in these texts do not mention duty of revenge not do they take note of the material gain that comes from being a traditional hero. However, in Tolkien’s pieces there is the heroic desire for fame. Clark gives historical background knowledge of the values in the Anglo Saxon grammar and culture. He reminds the reader the emphasis that was put on the ideas of fate and luck in the heroic worldview.

        Clark analyzes Hobbit and how Tolkien attempts to rewrite the hero. In Hobbit the hero is Bilbo who has some trademarks that a hero of the old would have. For example, when Gandalf comes to Bilbo in search of a hero, “Bilbo opens the door and accepts the challenge in the pursuit of what Beowulf and his poet would call lof and dom, praise and good report…”(Clark 42). All of the classic motives for a heroic action are present in this story: wealth, fame, revenge, an oath or vow, loyalty, and leadership. In Hobbit, Clark argues that Tolkien creates a new hero, a hero who is summoned to his dangerous mission by a supernatural person who will brook no denial. He shows how in contrast to, “Beowulf, Grendel’s raids, abruptly orders a ship fitted out and sets off to win lof and dom with his physical strength. Beowulf however, attributes his desire to visit the Danes to the Danish kings need of men,” (43). In this section of his article, Clark argues that Tolkien almost made a new hero and new heroism but the old model and standard hero were visible in the new heroism and in Biblo.

        In “Homecoming” Tolkien rejects traditional heroism, but his enthusiasm for the idea of heroes men of prowess and courage fighting a battle where all odds are against is a main factor in Lord of the Rings. Clark next focusses on the unexpected hero, Samwise. In Lord of the Rings, Clark believes that the contradictions between the substance of the Council of Elrond and subsequent revelations in Lorien and the story of Sam and Frodo demonstrate Tolkien's difficulty in creating the new hero and heroism that he longed for over the opposition of his passion for the unsatisfactory, earthly ‘standard’ heroes of old,” (45).

        Clark closes with comparing Sam and Beowulf to Byrhtnoth. Tolkien explains in “Homecoming” that he, “blames Byrhtnoth for ‘chivalry,’ a desire for ‘honour and glory’ which leads the flawed hero to act beyond the ‘bleak heroic necessary,’” (50). When Beowulf is in his own age and takes on the dragon know that he cannot defeat it, his excess was Byrhtnoth’s: their desire for honor conflicted with the heroes duty to their followers. Clark concludes that in “Homecoming,” Tolkien rejects the heroic desire for lof and dom and the old heroes so strongly that even Sa, who wonders if his last heroic stand will be remembered in a song, might seem liable to censure. He argues that Sam remains the true hero because he acts as a loyal subordinate serving his master, like the true heroes of Maldon who died to avent their lord.

        Overall I was convinced by the essay. I am a big fan of Tolkien so I very much enjoyed this piece to see how Tolkien was influenced by Beowulf. I agree with Clark’s thesis that even though Tolkien wanted to create a new hero and new heroism, he could not help but stay attached to the “standard” hero that we read about so often in Old Icelandic Sagas. I would not have thought to piece together the piece that Clark had made between Beowulf and Sam. However, since I have not read Maldon, I could not relate to his comparison of Beowulf and Sam as being similar to Byrhtnoth.

Clark’s piece had many strong suits. One element that I appreciated was Clark giving historical background on Anglo-Saxon culture and the Old English grammar as well as translation. Towards the beginning of the article Clark translates til fjár ok frӕgdar as “for wealth and fame.” Having the original Old English text gives the article a more genuine and connection with the tale. He also informs the readers how one word in Old English could have different meanings. Someone who has not studied the language may find it confusing, but Clark explains it in a insightful way. He says, “The Anglo-Saxon adjective hold (“loyal”) could describe the relationship of the leader to the follower, or the follower to the leader (“loyalty up, loyalty down”),” (40). Clark extends his knowledge and explains how the gift culture defined a man’s reputation. Clarks goes, “The heroic world of early Christian era, was a ‘shame culture’ in which a man’s essential worh was defined by his reputation,” (41). By having this background knowledge, the reader can have a better chance at grasping what makes a hero in this era of literature. It provides the reader with extra insight into what Tolkien wanted but also tried to avoid when creating a new hero and new heroism.