his own mythology
 

Tolkien was a professor of Anglo-Saxon history at Oxford. He studied the only scraps of mythology that Britian has. Inspired by Beowulf (which I just read) and other great works, I believe he longed for more of a real, solid mythology for his native country. I also believe that he not only achieved creating this, but surpassed all other fantasy works of his time profoundly. How many of YOU agree with wat i have said.

I have not read Beowulf yet, but from what I heard about it, I would definetly agree with you. ;)

I get to read Beowulf for English this year! yay!! yeah. It's only a very much shortened version, though. (looked through the book already..:p.. great thing about being homeschooled....) And yes, I agree most definitely.





P.S. need that evil smiley. Oh, well, if the Barrow-Wight decrees it, we shall have it. But he has not decreed it.

you are correct in saying that he based a lot of things off Beowulf. i have not read it but i greatly anticipate it as i will read it next year. Another big part things is the Kalevala. i dont know if any of you have heard of it, but maybe you have. It is an ancient Finnish folktale that, in Tolkien's time, only one person new. This was also a big mythology that influenced him.

I found the full text of Beowulf online here.