Beorn

Beorn is a character of the universe of J.R.R. Tolkien, equipped with the capacity to change into bear.

“ In this last hour, Beorn itself had appeared - null did not know how nor from where it had emerged. It had come only, in its shape of bear; and, in its anger, it seemed to have taken gigantic proportions. Grondement of its voice was similar to that of drums and guns; and it rejected the wolves and the goblins of its way like straws. ” ( Bilbo the Hobbit )

Portrait

After their escape from the Misty Mounts, Gandalf, Bilbon Sacquet and the Nain S makes the meeting of Beorn. Beorn is presented like a gigantic man, Bilbon which can pass without curving itself under the tunic which arrived to him at the knees, the beard and the thick hair, vêtu of a wool tunic and an axe with the hand. Gandalf presents it like a “changer of skin”, i.e. able to take the shape of an immense black bear. Beorn only saw, well off any civilization, some share between the Misty Mounts and the edge of the Black Forêt, close to the Carrock. It is besides him which cut the steps of them and it used it for the gatherings with other bears. It has for only company only the animals of its cattle which are entirely devoted to him, of the dogs with which it speaks and of large wild bees. Its statute of man-bear gives him an impressive pace and bourrue. It is irritable, of delicate frequentation, does not seek the company of curious and appears for which dares to defy it, a frightening enemy. He shows himself nevertheless very generous with Gandalf and all the troop of dwarves and Bilbon which accompany it in their bringing an invaluable help before they cross the forest.

At the time of the Battle of the Five Armies, whereas the victory took shape for the enemies, Beorn came in its form terrifying from gigantic bear. It crushed and massacred Bolg, the chief of the Orque S, and its guard, to protect the body from Thorin II Ecu-of-Oak transpierced lances. Without chief, the others orcs escaped and were pursued to the Black skirt of forest, which decided final victory. He became then the chief of the tribe of the Hommes of Wood, Beornides, on a vast territory of the Val of Anduin, between the Black Forest and the Misty Mounts. At the time of the War of the Ring, this region was almost completely depopulated, except for the men of the people of Beorn. It is true that Dol Guldur and its influence on the Black Forest had made this ground deserted. The Black Forest had become very dangerous to cross and if some loggers and men of the clan of Beorn lived with the edge, never they did not venture very deeply under foliations. Its origins are vague, certain think that it goes down from large and old bears which lived formerly in the mountains. Others think, in a more exact way undoubtedly, than it would go down from the former men who lived in the east, before the arrival of the Dragons.

Language

Beornides and the Men of the Wood of Mirkwood use their own dialect, since these people were of Scandinavian origin (like the Rohirrim) and that the common language hardly went up beyond the Champ with the Irises towards north along the Anduin. The name of this dialect is not specified by Tolkien. Béornides must also speak the common language a priori, since Bilbon discusses without problem with Beorn.

Beorn, an evocation of Beowulf

Beorn resembles Beowulf much. Without developing this aspect so much, here are the principal ideas. Those which want more and to look further into this topic will consult the work of David Day: Universe of Tolkien .

Beorn is proud of its force, faithful to a code of honor, capable of great angers, hospital and its house recalls with more simplicity the palate of Hrothgar.
Bee-Wolf “bee-wolf” and which wolf means is interested in honey? Beorn is bee-keeper and likes honey, its name means as a Scandinavian “Man-honey”. They are thus two characters identical but to the different names. In fact, through Beorn, Tolkien reveals its theory whereby Beowulf was related to ritual worship of the bear among Scandinavian people.
the Bersekers , warriors of Odin vêtus of skins of Bear probably inspired in Tolkien Beornides and their chief and Beorn ancestor. Bersekers felt had crowned fury of the bear and attacked the enemy with naked hands and in the corrosive one, a rage which could carry out them until devouring the adversary… The transformation of a man into bear was on their premises the miracle founder of their worship.

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