Tolkien’s Beowulf: Dragons, Heroes, and Forgotten Stories.
Sometimes, the story is more important
This evocative phrase from J.R.R. Tolkien’s 1936 lecture at Oxford invites us to rethink how we approach Beowulf. While some view the poem primarily as a historical artefact, Tolkien argued passionately that its true essence lies in its story—a heroic tale of men, monsters, and dragons.
Contrary to prevailing scholarly opinions of his time, Tolkien did not dismiss Beowulf’s historical significance. Instead, he warned against reducing it solely to that lens. He saw a troubling tendency for critics to prioritize “Philologia, Mythologia, Archaeologia, and Laographia” over what he called their neglected offspring, “Poesis.”
In essence, Tolkien reminded us that Beowulf is a poem—crafted to captivate, inspire, and entertain. For Tolkien, a master storyteller steeped in the mythology of Old English, Old Norse, and Icelandic traditions, the poem’s historical value was secondary to its purpose as a work of art. Yes, Beowulf reflects cultural truths, but Tolkien urged us not to forget its core: the gripping narrative of a hero confronting the monstrous and the unknown.
Should we care about its history? Absolutely. It illuminates who we are and where we come from. But as Tolkien so eloquently argued, history should not overshadow the Beowulf poet’s purpose: to tell a timeless story of courage and peril.
More Reflections to Come…
This is just the beginning of our exploration into Tolkien’s thoughts on Beowulf. Next week, we’ll delve deeper into his perspective and what it means for how we read and appreciate this epic poem today.
Until then, let us remember: a story is not just an artefact; it is an experience.
Stay heroic,
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