Thanks for the link.
I’ve never read any of Tolkien’s essays concerning Beowulf, but have done quite a bit of work with it on my many journeys. And I've come across many learned opinions, and have formed my own. So, I was really surprised to hear Tolkien’s interpretation characterized, in the words of Professor Drout as:
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The monsters are absolutely necessary because the monsters show that the poem is really about man's place in the hostile universe…
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In regards to this, I’m right along with Clark. Grendel and the dragon are simply opportunities for Beowulf to show his, and his people’s, greatness. Sure they are hostile, but it has nothing to do with man’s place in the hostile universe, but rather with Beowulf’s place in a hostile universe. Beowulf is “Beocentric.” Now I’m as curious as ever to read Tolkien, himself, on the subject.
[ March 05, 2003: Message edited by: Bill Ferny ]