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Works Cited

Dockray-Miller, Mary. "The Masculine Queen of 'Beowulf.'" Women and Language 21.2 (1998):
31+. Literature Resource Center. Web. 24 Sept. 2015.
Dockray-Miller argues that gender in Beowulf is performative and analyzes the
masculine performance of Modthyrth, a queen who defies the expected feminine
gender role (3). In an essay aimed at literary critics as well as scholars interested in
literary gender roles (4), Dockray-Miller examines how gender is expressed in Beowulf in
order to make the point that the story of Modthyrth is an interesting and significant
digression since Modthyrth consistently disregards normal feminine performance (2). The
essay is unique since it includes direct translations of the poems original text,
incorporating linguistics into its analysis (6). Although the essays focus is on Modthyrth,
it is relevant for studying Beowulf as a whole since it provides insight into how gender is
perceived and treated in Beowulf and in Anglo-Saxon society (5). Dockray-Miller is an
American scholar of Anglo-Saxon England, so she is informed enough to write a
balanced, analytical, and unbiased essay on gender roles in Beowulf (7).
Tolkien, J. R. R. "Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics." Proceedings of the British
Academy 22 (1936): 245-295. Rpt. in World Literature Criticism, Supplement 1-2: A
Selection of Major Authors from Gale's Literary Criticism Series. Ed. Polly Vedder. Vol.
1. Detroit: Gale, 1997. Literature Resource Center. Web. 22 Sept. 2015.
Tolkien gives a lecture to the British Academy (4) in order to explain the literary merit of
Beowulf as a piece of poetry (2). He argues that Beowulf is important not for its historical
value, but for its effective structure as a piece of literature and its handling of universal
human themes (3). He specifically addresses and refutes literary critics who have pointed

out weaknesses in Beowulf (6) and asserts that Beowulf is flawed but for the most part
structurally sound. This essay is relevant because while critics seem to view Beowulf on a
historical level first, Tolkien looks at Beowulf as a literary text and examines its structure
and effectiveness as a story first (5). As a fantasy author and linguist, Tolkien is wellversed in the genre of epic fantasy, so his endorsement of Beowulf seems to be unbiased
and genuine praise for a classic work he believes is exemplary (7).
Vaught, Jacqueline. "Beowulf: The Fight at the Center." Allegorica 5.2 (Winter 1980): 125-137.
Rpt. in Poetry Criticism. Ed. Carol T. Gaffke and Anna J. Sheets. Vol. 22. Detroit: Gale,
1999. Literature Resource Center. Web. 22 Sept. 2015.
Vaughts essay, aimed at other literary critics and scholars (4), fleshes out the argument
that Beowulfs defeat of Grendels mother is the climax of the poem (2). She argues that
the battle with Grendels mother is more symbolically and thematically significant than
the first battle with Grendel, because the confrontation with Grendels mother is when
Beowulf bravely faces danger alone, away from the assistance of society (3). She
includes several excerpts from different parts of the Beowulf poem (Beowulfs battle with
sea creatures as he competes against Breca, Beowulfs battle with Grendel, and
Beowulfs battle with Grendels mother) in order to illustrate her point (6). The essay is
relevant because it presents an alternate perspective on the pivotal events of the epic
poem (5). Vaught is an English professor who cites both the Beowulf text and the ideas of
other literary critics, making the source balanced and unbiased (7).

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