Edith is to Luthien as JRRT is to... Beren?

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

I know that Tolkien dedicated the character Luthien to his wife, Edith. I also know that after they died, Edith had "Luthien" engraved on her grave, and JRRT had "Beren".

I understand how Edith could "be" Luthien - her character, cheerfulness, and of course Tolkien's love for her (also, Luthien=enchantress; Edith enchanted Tolkien?). But I just cannot connect JRRT with Beren. Does he really see himself as that character, or is it just a coincidence that he made Beren what he is, without any hints about himself? As far as I know, Luthien was the only character who "lived for real".

Your opinion?

Having seen pictures of Edith, I can rightly say she weren't no Luthien neither, if you get me meaning.

But love hides all the blemishes, doesn't it? And if Edith was indeed JRR's Luthien, he was ever her faithful and loyal Beren. It is a perception of the great love he held for Edith, rather than Beren's exploits in battle (although Tolkien was in WWI).