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ELAIA

Abstract

This thesis endeavors to explore the connections between J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and its predecessor, the famous medieval text Beowulf. Though Tolkien seldom talked about his own use of Beowulf, his fascination with the text is obvious in his many writings and lectures. Thus, this thesis uses Tolkien’s own writings as well as the scholarly writings of others to explore his integration of tropes and themes from Beowulf. A case is simultaneously made for the impact that the integration of Beowulf has on Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Arguably, Tolkien’s utilization of medieval stories helps him to root his own fiction in the very foundations of English culture. This thesis attempts to reveal the ways in which Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, through its use of Beowulf, developed into a tribute to the culture of the country of England.

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