Beowulf: The Monsters and The Critics

Tolkien argues against critics who play down the major elements of the poem (Grendel, Grendel's Mother, the dragon), in favor of using Beowulf only as a resource for Anglo-Saxon history. Tolkien sets the monsters at the center of Beowulf criticism. Tolkien then goes on to argue that seeing the poem as primarily a historical document is not an effective approach to Beowulf studies because it ignores the poetry. He considers the historical value that it possesses to be of secondary importance. Tolkien then goes on to note that Ker, a great scholar, was mistaken of thinking the monsters to be a childish flaw. Tolkien argues that the "dignity" of Beowulf that Ker and Chambers both praise is due to the theme of the poem, which he attached to the monsters. Tolkien then argues that the poem is not meant to "advance" but is rather a balance of two moments in a great life. Beowulf was an effective work of art in Tolkien's eyes. Tolkien criticizes critics whom he believes to be looking at the poem Beowulf all wrong. His main point is that you shouldn't be looking at this poem only as a historical document but to enjoy this poem as it is and to face the fact that is has derived great pleasure from a poem that is actually about unfashionable creatures, such as ogres and dragons.


I think Tolkien points out many important arguments. I feel that Tolkien wrote this to inform and persuade readers to look at this work of art for what it is and not only as a historical document. I agree with Tolkien on many of his arguments. For one, Mr. Girvan, a critic, claims that Beowulf is misused on an unprofitable theme, Tolkien pretty much argues back that who would waste their time writing more than three thousand lines on matter that is really not worth serious attention. If you think about this, obviously the author of this poem had a point and knew why and for what purpose he was using the major elements of the poem such as Grendel, Grendel's Mother, and the dragon. Another would be when a critic, Ker, states, "the great beauty, the real value, of Beowulf is in its dignity of style. Well, how can there be dignity in Beowulf without the monsters who give the characters in the poem its dignity. My last response to one of the arguments in Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics is how many critics claim that this poem should primarily be looked at as a historical piece, one reasoning being because of all the allusions that are attracting so much curiosity, research, and attention. So, maybe if these scholars or critics weren't spending so much time looking into these hints of some greater idea than enjoying the poem for what it is a fictional plot with monsters that make up and complete the story.