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Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities
Wizards And Woods: The Environmental Ethics Of Tolkien’S Istari, Kenton L. Sena, Philip J. Vogel
Wizards And Woods: The Environmental Ethics Of Tolkien’S Istari, Kenton L. Sena, Philip J. Vogel
Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature
Tolkien’s wizards are some of the most interesting and impactful characters in The Lord of the Rings, sent to Middle-earth to inspire the free peoples to resist Sauron. Principal among the Istari are Gandalf and Saruman, both of whom feature prominently in the events of The Lord of the Rings. A much more minor role, however, is played by Radagast the Brown, who appears only in passing mentions in The Hobbit and serves almost as a messenger in The Lord of the Rings. These three Istari enable an interesting discussion of environmental relationships, with Radagast and Saruman portrayed as failures …
‘Morning Stars Of A Setting World’: Alain De Lille’S De Planctu Naturæ And Tolkien’S Legendarium As Neo-Platonic Mythopoeia., Christopher Vaccaro
‘Morning Stars Of A Setting World’: Alain De Lille’S De Planctu Naturæ And Tolkien’S Legendarium As Neo-Platonic Mythopoeia., Christopher Vaccaro
Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature
Examines a possible source of the imagery associated with Tolkien’s representations of divine and queenly women in Alain de Lille’s De Planctu Naturæ, or Complaint of Nature. De Lille was a 12th century theologian and poet associated with the Chartres school, and an influence on Chaucer.
The Voice Of Saruman: Wizards And Rhetoric In The Two Towers, Jay Ruud
The Voice Of Saruman: Wizards And Rhetoric In The Two Towers, Jay Ruud
Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature
Examines one aspect of Tolkien’s wizards—their skill in the art of rhetoric. Provides a useful exercise in recognizing fallacious reasoning in persuasive speech by defining and demonstrating classical rhetorical methods employed by Saruman and Gandalf.
Totemic Reflexes In Tolkien's Middle-Earth, Yvette Kisor
Totemic Reflexes In Tolkien's Middle-Earth, Yvette Kisor
Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature
A close look at Tolkien’s incorporation of traces of shamanism and totemism in his depiction of Gandalf and other characters; yet another indication of how Tolkien created historical depth in his tales by reproducing the way traces of early mythic and religious themes survive in later tales and folklore.
Gandalf And Merlin: J.R.R. Tolkien's Adoption And Transformation Of A Literary Tradition, Frank P. Riga
Gandalf And Merlin: J.R.R. Tolkien's Adoption And Transformation Of A Literary Tradition, Frank P. Riga
Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature
Concerns the roots of the wizard Gandalf’s character in the legendary figure of Merlin, tracing Merlin’s development through a variety of English and continental literature up through the twentieth century, and showing how various authors, including Tolkien, interpreted and adapted the wizard for their purposes.
Maldon And Moria: On Byrhtnoth, Gandalf, And Heroism In The Lord Of The Rings, Alexander M. Bruce
Maldon And Moria: On Byrhtnoth, Gandalf, And Heroism In The Lord Of The Rings, Alexander M. Bruce
Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature
A close look at “The Battle of Maldon” and how Tolkien’s opinion of Bryhtnoth’s actions echoes through his Beowulf essay, “The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm’s Son,” and even into the character of Gandalf.
Tolkien’S Word-Hord Onlēac, Ricky L. Thompson
Tolkien’S Word-Hord Onlēac, Ricky L. Thompson
Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature
Explores “the stylized and conventional speeches” of Beowulf and the Green Knight as they “provide analogues for Tolkien’s heroes in The Lord of the Rings.” Contends that analysis of these speeches enhances awareness of many aspects of these heroes.
Tolkien's Monsters: Concept And Function In The Lord Of The Rings (Part 1) The Balrog Of Khazad-Dum, Joe Abbott
Tolkien's Monsters: Concept And Function In The Lord Of The Rings (Part 1) The Balrog Of Khazad-Dum, Joe Abbott
Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature
Three-part examination of “how Tolkien’s theory of the centrality of the monsters in Beowulf influenced his own concept of ‘monster’ and what function that concept should fulfill within” The Lord of the Rings. Part I analyzes the literary function of Gandalf’s battle with the Balrog in Khazad-dûm.
Missing Person, Verlyn Flieger
Missing Person, Verlyn Flieger
Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature
Notes that while Arda has parallels to many events of the Judeo-Christian story—God, angels, Satan—it lacks a complete parallel to Christ. It has a number of saviors (Gandalf, Aragorn) but no Redeemer, though Frodo comes closest.
Quenti Lambardillion: A Column On Middle-Earth Linguistics, Paul Nolan Hyde
Quenti Lambardillion: A Column On Middle-Earth Linguistics, Paul Nolan Hyde
Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature
Examines the linguistic structure of three of the spells cast by Gandalf.
The Origin Of Gandalf And Josef Madlener, Manfred Zimmerman
The Origin Of Gandalf And Josef Madlener, Manfred Zimmerman
Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature
Disputes the story in Carpenter’s biography about the origin of Gandalf in a picture postcard Tolkien acquired in 1911, pointing out that the painting on which the postcard was based was painted in 1925 or later.
The Role Of Warfare And Strategy In The Lord Of The Rings, Paul M. Lloyd
The Role Of Warfare And Strategy In The Lord Of The Rings, Paul M. Lloyd
Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature
After a brief analysis of the medieval nature of the arms, armor, and troops in the War of the Ring, examines the strategic advantages and disadvantages of both sides. Postulates Sauron’s “poverty of imagination” as a fatal flaw. The realistic depiction of military strategy gives The Lord of the Rings a feeling of “true” history.
The Wielders Of The Three And Other Trees, Paula Marmor
The Wielders Of The Three And Other Trees, Paula Marmor
Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature
Traces roots and characteristics of several of Tolkien’s characters in religious systems and symbols. Argues that “the bearers of the three Elven rings—Galadriel, Elrond, and Gandalf [...] as well as the older bearers Gil-galad and Círdan—[are] archetypal figures of a Moon-Water Goddess, a Sky-Air-Thunder God, and a Sun-Fire God.”