Ambiguity In Beowulf

The epic poem of Beowulf is full of ambiguity. Over the years it has become a subject over significant debate. Readers argue over the significance and the meaning of several of the events that happen throughout the poem. Such is the case for one of the readers, J.R.R Tolkien. Tolkien makes a clear argument over his beliefs over Beowulf in his article “Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics”. Much like everybody else Tolkien has his beliefs and interpretation of the events that take place in Beowulf.

In his article Tolkien makes an argument over his beliefs of Beowulf. His main argument is that he believes that many critics make a crucial mistake by ignoring the monsters in the poem. He believes that these monsters are just as crucial as Beowulf himself is to the poem. In order to back up his claim he uses different examples of monsters Beowulf has to go up against. He discusses Grendel and the dragon. Both are monsters that Beowulf has to face and by defeating both foes it makes him look stronger and more heroic. Throughout the article Tolkien discusses several subjects of debate and his take on them. For one he believes Beowulf is more than just a historical piece but rather it is a piece of art. He believes it is serves a better purpose serving as a work of art rather than being a historical document. Afterwards

Tolkien makes this argument and even discusses how it is an elegy at best. This is unique as the poem is by many considered to be epic but here Tolkien is saying otherwise. Tolkien believes this poem does not quite match up with the true definition of an epic. He believes in an epic the hero is made to look strong and should not die which is not what happens in this poem. He believes an epic is special and Beowulf does not quite reach that