The creative uses of Irish literature in works by J.R.R. Tolkien

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to examine the significant and sustained influence of Irish literature across the corpus of J.R.R. Tolkien’s mythopoeic writings— what is frequently termed as his “legendarium” —and to analyse how he adapted and creatively revised Irish sources in his writings. Some of Tolkien’s statements have given the impression that he did not like, nor was he influenced by, Irish language or literature, and yet scholars have long identified Irish elements in his writings and called for a deeper appreciation of them. This thesis presents the first book-length, systematic critical analysis of the role of Irish literature in Tolkien’s legendarium. It includes the identification and critical analysis of specific works of Irish (and Irish-themed) literature and language study that Tolkien owned, read, is suspected to have read, and/or referenced, including his volumes donated to the Bodleian and English Faculty Libraries at the University of Oxford, and it presents a curated selection of new observations and findings on Irish influences in his writings. As the question of how Tolkien’s work relates to Irish antecedents has been under-researched, this thesis breaks new ground by approaching Irish literature as a major category of Tolkien’s sources and influences