Beorn

[davem]

Just a few thoughts. As Boro states, Tolkien doesn't use the word 'Berserker' in reference to Beorn. Its clear, though, that Tolkien has the traditional 'berserker' in mind. Yet, the power of the berserker, & his imperviousness to weapons, is attributed (by Snorri in Heimskringla at least) to a blessing by Odin. Perhaps Tolkien's problem was the desire to have such a major 'type' in his story - berserkers play a pretty prominent part in the Saga tradition he was drawing on - but being effectively unable too account for them. They're unexplained simply because Tolkien couldn't use the traditional explanation.

Of course Tolkien is effectively going back to the 'archetype' - Beorn isn't simply a human warrior who goes into a frenzy, but a shapeshifter (either a bear who takes on human form during the day or a man who takes on bear form at night). From that point of view, Beorn is both a shape-shifter (probably shape-shifter first) & a 'berserker' second.

Of course, by the time of the Sagas 'berserkers' were often simply vicious thugs, easily dispatched by the hero:

The berserk thought that Grettir & the Farmer were stalling. He started to howl loudly & bite the edge of his shield. He put his shield in his mouth, spread his lips over the corner of it & acted like a savage. Grettir strode over to him & when he came alongside the berserk's horse he kicked the bottom of the shield up into his mouth so hard that his face ripped open & his jaws fell down to his chest. In a single action he grabbed the berserks helmet with his left hand & dashed him from his horse, & with his right hand he drew the short sword he was wearing & struck him on the neck, chopping off his head. When Snaekoll's companions saw this they fled in all directions. Grettir could not be bothered to chase them, for he could tell they were not at all brave. (The Saga of Grettir thee Strong)

Now, while Snaekoll's fury (esp. biting his shield-rim) is classical berserker behaviour, Grettir's easy dispatching of him is unusual if he is a genuine berserker - for all Grettir's exceptional strength. Grettir kills Snaekoll too easily, & we can only assume that Snaekoll & his followers are not true berserkers, but thugs pretending to be. Tolkien has gone back almost to the 'sacred' warrior tradition & combined it with traditions of shape-shifters in order to create a unique character.