In Morgoth’s Ring, there is a fascinating essay on the “Laws and Customs of the Eldar,” particularly concerning marriage, childbirth, and Elvish mothers. Much of the essay discusses the ceremonies and customs around betrothals and marriages. However, there are a few paragraphs that cover a topic rarely discussed in Tolkien’s writings: the bearing of children. The part that I find particularly…
Month: April 2014
Half-Elven Part III: Those Denied the Choice
The first individual to be a blend of Elf-kind and mankind was Dior Aranel, the son of Beren and Lúthien. Despite his important heritage, Dior isn’t discussed much in the legendarium and little is known about him. Because he had the blood of three different raises flowing through his veins, he was called “the beautiful.” Aranel translates to “royal Elf,” an…
Silmarillion Character Profile: Finarfin
One of the most daunting things about reading The Silmarillion is keeping all of the names straight. I love the Silm, so I want to make it more accessible for the general reader with brief character profiles. Name: Finarfin Immediate Family: Wife: Eärwen Son #1: Finrod Felagund Son #2: Orodreth (debatable, but that’s for another profile) Son #3: Angrod Son #4: Aegnor…
Half-Elven Part II: The Choice of Lúthien
[I]n his fate Lúthien was caught, and being immortal she shared in his mortality, and being free received his chain; and her anguish was greater than any other of the Eldalië has known (Silmarillion, 165-6). Lúthien Tinúviel is vital to any discussion of the Half-Elven, although she technically is not one of them. Indeed, she is one of the central…
A Tolkien Biopic–Will Anyone Actually Care?
Towards the end of November, The LA Times published an exclusive report that a Tolkien biopic is currently being written. “Tolkien led a complicated and colorful life,” the report notes. Surely people will be interested, right? Honestly, I’m not so sure. Yes, Tolkien did fight in World War I (at the Battle of the Somme, no less, one of the…
Silmarillion Character Profile: Fëanor
One of the most daunting things about reading The Silmarillion is keeping all of the names straight. I love this, so I want to make it more accessible for the general reader with brief character profiles. Name: Fëanor Immediate Family: Wife: Nerdanel Son #1: Maedhros Son #2: Maglor Son #3: Celegorm Son #4: Caranthir Son #5: Curufin Son #6: Amrod Son #7:…
The Choice of the Half-Elven
I must indeed abide the Doom of Men, whether I will or I nill: the loss and the silence. But I say to you, King of the Númenoreans, not till now have I understood the tale of your people and their fall. As wicked fools I scorned them, but I pity them at last. For if this is indeed, as…
Silmarillion Character Profile: Finwë
I love The Silmarillion, the epic history book of the First Age of Middle-earth. However, it’s not exactly the most accessible novel you’ll ever read. One of the most daunting things about reading The Silmarillion is keeping all of the names straight. The bulk of the Silm takes place over the course of 600 or so years, with 3-4 generations of Elves…
6 Reasons I Dislike Tauriel
Since The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug comes out on DVD and Blu-ray today, I thought I would comment on that element of the movie which has received possibly the most comments: Tauriel. A fair amount of (primarily digital and therefor metaphorical) ink has been spilled over Tauriel, the female Elf introduced in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. While there are some very well-reasoned…
Bard the Bowman: Why His Portrayal Surprised Me
Years ago (probably 2004 or 2005), I remember thinking about the potential of a Hobbit movie. I remember thinking, “But who’s going to be the hot guy? Every movie nowadays has to have a hot guy. The dwarves certainly won’t work, and it’s not likely that Bilbo will work.” That’s when it dawned on me–Bard! Of course he’ll be the…