Literary Criticism Of Beowulf

Over time, many experts criticize the poem Beowulf. According to J. R. R. Tolkien, most critics talk about how Beowulf’s plot has unnecessary characters and how certain pieces of the plot are not in the right places. Tolkien, who is a fan of Beowulf, writes a speech of why Beowulf is a great piece of literature. He states that the poet writes the poem so well that most people see it historically incorrect (The Monsters and the Critics). Tolkien does agree that Beowulf is not historically accurate, but that is not the point. The point is that certain characters were put in certain places in the story to make Beowulf wonderful. Therefore, critics should not judge this as individually, but as a poem. Tolkien says that this poem has a purpose,

He is kind to others. After Beowulf fights the dragon, he speaks to Wiglaf his final words and wishes. Beowulf requests, “Now that I have bartered my last breath to own this fortune, it is up to you to look after their needs” (807-809). Even during Beowulf’s last moments, he still cares for his people and makes sure to take care of them. This action shows true strength and shows that Beowulf is a hero. On the other hand, Beowulf is not like a hero. In this story, Beowulf goes to Hrothgar to kill the Grendel. The reader may think this is a heroic act, but it is not. A typical hero goes and slays the monster to help the people, but Beowulf does this for fame. In order to gain fame during this period, one must do something “heroic” like killing a monster. So, when Beowulf kills the Grendel, the people praise him. “Slowly toward Herot again, retelling Beowulf’s bravery as they jogged along” (537-538). Also, toward the end of the poem after he kills the dragon, Beowulf demands to have a barrow on the coast and name it after him. This way, there will be stories about Beowulf and his bravery. Even Tolkien himself expresses in his speech that this plot is not about heroism but “men on earth” (Monsters and the Critics). All men will die and their works will follow. Heroes do kind acts and earn their fame, not to desire fame and will do kind

Even though he kills many monsters in his life (such as the Grendel and the dragon) it does not mean he can boast about it. In his resume to Hrothgar, Beowulf boasts, “No man swims in the sea as I can, no strength is a match for mine” (267-268). Beowulf shows his strength, but he does not do with humility but with pride. Since Beowulf’s pride is so strong, he builds himself up to say he will take down the Grendel with his bare hands, “My hands alone shall fight for me” (172-173). No ordinary man has the ability to say he can defeat a monster with his own hands, but Beowulf does. This just shows that Beowulf has too much pride, and it will lead him to his downfall. According to Tolkien, the reason for this characteristic is that this is base on old traditions of glory and defeat (Monsters and the Critics). This is the time when pride was strong among men. Yes, pride is alright, but it is to an extent. A hero is to protect the people with humility. For a person to be counted as a hero, one must be willing to protect the people with humility, and fame will