Inverse Relationships: Narrative Limits = Universal Themes

Back in August 2012 I wrote about J.R.R. Tolkien's thoughts on the narrative structure of Beowulf and the poem's lack of "steady advance."

(to read that entry, click http://mrguimondnondoer.blogspot.com/2012/08/beowulf-clunky-perfect-legend.html)

Tolkien takes this criticism head on, concluding that the epic does, in fact, fail to live up to the modernized version of Point A to Point B narrative arcs, but that it is this very failure that enlivens the tale with enough nuance, enough layering to elevate Beowulf the Story from mere tune to "composition." Indeed, Beowulf the Man benefits from this layering; we see him travel home, we hear him retell his own story, we witness him interacting with his uncle-king, Lord Hygelac, back in the safety and comfort of his own land. In short, we see Beowulf in his sweat pants with his hair down. Only, he never, ever wears sweat pants, and his hair is of no concern. Too heroic.

A second fascinating observation made by Professor Tolkien centers on Beowulf's universality. He comments that the poetic structure is "not a perfect vehicle of the theme or themes that came to hidden life in the poet's mind," and proceeds to observe that Beowulf the Hero should stand as the quintessential hero for all humanity in all time, but that he would be more easily seen as such if only he would have stayed home, if he would not have sailed to Denmark for Grendel's head. Beowulf staying put, Tolkien asserts, makes the "stage not narrower, but symbolically wider." One people, one set of problems, one hero to overcome them. With limits come just the one focal point: Beowulf the Hero. Like Bernoulli's Principle of pressure and volume: squeeze a water balloon and you elevate the liquid's pressure.

Consider:
*Batman dominates Gotham City. The streets of Gotham = universal justice.
*John Proctor fights for the soul of Salem. Salem = universal gossip.
*The Sneetches have their fight on just the one beaches. Those beaches = world community. Those Sneetches = one humanity.

As it stands, Beowulf does travel across the sea; he does help the Danes (i.e. not his clan); he does step outside of the easily defined literary town limits of Geatland and gerrymanders right on over to a second set of problems. So I suppose this second set of problems threatens the universality by flooding the story with too many elements. Too many moving parts. Only, Beowulf is Beowulf. He overcomes, resolves, and comes home. And then he retells his story. He reestablishes himself at home by recounting what he did abroad. This benefits the characterization of Beowulf the Man as well as provides nuance to Beowulf the Hero. Which is precisely Tolkien's point. In this case, the epic poem's "clunky" narrative structure allows for this digression and is actually helped by it.

In short, it is true to life. Beowulf the Man looks human; Beowulf the Hero isn't perfect, which in turn makes him more compelling. The flaws allow a conversation. They demand it.

So, I suppose Beowulf is awesome. But not perfectly so. And so his story endures.