The Lord of the Rings Expert Answers Tolkien Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED

WIRED
13 Nov 202016:21
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this insightful discussion, Corey Olson, the Tolkien Professor, delves into various aspects of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth. He explains that Sauron, a Maia, used his fiery hands as his weapon, killing Gil-Galad. The syllabic near-reversal of Theoden and Denethor's names is semi-accidental, reflecting their parallel characters. Sauron's Black Speech, created for orc communication, borrows Elvish script, indicating his inability to create beauty. The fate of the Entwives remains a mystery, and Arwen's choice to become mortal is a significant departure from the elven fate. The color of the wizards signifies their roles, not their rank, with Gandalf's transition from Gray to White Wizard reflecting a change in his role. The existence of magnetic poles in Arda post-Akallabeth is confirmed, though the use of compasses is not explicitly mentioned. The One Ring's inscription in Tengwar highlights Sauron's linguistic borrowing. The plural forms of 'elf' and 'dwarf' are a point of contention for Tolkien, who preferred 'dwarves' over the traditional 'dwarfs'. The urgency of the last boat to Valinor is due to the straight road being the only path to the Blessed Realm, as chosen by the Valar for the elves. Lastly, the influence of Melkor and the transformation of Numenor into a cult under Sauron's influence are also discussed, providing a comprehensive exploration of Tolkien's rich lore.

Takeaways
  • 🔥 Sauron's primary weapon in the War of the Last Alliance was his own burning hands, which he used to kill Gil-Galad.
  • 📜 The syllabic near-reversal of Theoden and Denethor's names may be semi-accidental, but Tolkien's sensitivity to sound suggests it was a deliberate choice to reflect their parallel characters.
  • 🧝 Sauron is a Maia, an angelic being, and not a mortal creature like an elf or a human.
  • 🧙 Gandalf's transition from Gray to White signifies a change in his role as the White Wizard, not a rank promotion.
  • 🧭 Middle Earth has magnetic poles, but there is no explicit reference to the use of compasses for navigation.
  • 💍 The inscription on the One Ring in the Black Speech is written in Tengwar, indicating Sauron's inability to create new and beautiful things.
  • 🌳 The fate of the Entwives remains a mystery, with Tolkien himself stating he did not know what happened to them.
  • 🏘️ Other notable towns and villages in the Shire include Michel Delving, Buckland, Tuckborough, Bywater, Woodhall, and Stock.
  • ⛰️ The pluralization of 'dwarf' as 'dwarves' by Tolkien was a deliberate linguistic choice to avoid the unsound plural 'dwarfs'.
  • ⛵ The last boat to Valinor is the only remaining path to the Blessed Realm, as the Far West has been removed from the world.
  • 🗡️ The Battle of Azanulbizar, detailed in Appendix A of 'The Return of the King', is the most comprehensive account of the war between the dwarves and the goblins.
Q & A

  • What weapon did Sauron use in the final battle of the War of the Last Alliance?

    -Sauron is described as using his own hands as a weapon. He is said to have killed Gil-Galad with his burning hands, which were like fire.

  • Was the syllabic near-reversal of the names Theoden and Denethor intentional?

    -The similarity in their names seems semi-accidental. While both characters parallel each other, Theoden's name comes from Anglo-Saxon meaning 'king', and Denethor's name is from Elvish languages. However, Tolkien was sensitive to the sound of words, so the resonance between the names likely appealed to him.

  • What is Sauron in terms of creature classification?

    -Sauron is a Maia, an angelic being, and not a mortal creature such as an elf or a human.

  • When Gandalf transitioned from being a Gray Wizard to a White Wizard, was it a rank promotion or a change in role?

    -It was a change in role, not a rank promotion. Gandalf took over Saruman's role as the White Wizard after Saruman was dismissed from his job of being the enemy of Sauron.

  • Did Middle Earth have compasses and did it have magnetic poles after the Akallabeth?

    -There are no references to anyone using compasses in Middle Earth. However, the world of Arda, which includes Middle Earth, does have magnetic poles after it was made round following the Akallabeth, the story of the downfall of Numenor.

  • How come the inscription of the Black Speech on the One Ring looks pretty despite the language being described as ugly?

    -The script on the One Ring is written in Tengwar, an Elvish script. Sauron had to borrow the Elvish script because the script that fit the Black Speech did not suit his purposes, indicating that Sauron was not capable of creating beauty himself.

  • What happened to the Entwives according to Tolkien?

    -Tolkien stated that he did not know what happened to the Entwives. He suspected that they might be dead, but it remains a mystery as he deliberately left certain aspects of his world unexplained.

  • Can you name a town or village in the Shire other than Hobbiton?

    -Michel Delving is the capital of the Shire. Other significant places include Buckland, home of the Brandybucks, Tuckborough, home of the Took family, and Bywater, which is adjacent to Hobbiton.

  • Why did Tolkien choose to pluralize 'dwarf' as 'dwarves' instead of the traditional 'dwarfs'?

    -Tolkien, as a philologist, disliked the traditional plural 'dwarfs' on linguistic grounds, considering it unsound. He insisted on the plural 'dwarves' as a more sensible formation, which led to disagreements with proofreading staff.

  • Why was it necessary for characters like Arwen to depart on the last boat to Valinor?

    -The boats sailing to Valinor were the only means for the elves to escape to the Blessed Realm after the world was made round and the straight path to Valinor was the only remaining connection. Arwen chose not to depart because she embraced mortality by marrying Aragorn.

  • Is there a JRR Tolkien book that details the Goblin and Dwarf Great War?

    -No, there is no specific book dedicated to the Goblin and Dwarf Great War. The most information about this war is found in the last section of Appendix A in 'The Return of the King', which includes a summary of the Battle of Azanulbizar.

  • Did Sauron turn Numenor into a Melkor cult?

    -Yes, Sauron corrupted Numenor from within, turning it into a devil-worshipping cult centered around Melkor, whom he presented as the 'Giver of Freedom'. This led to human sacrifices and ultimately the Numenorians' attack on the elves and the Valar.

Outlines
00:00
🔥 Sauron's Fiery Hands and Name Resonance

Corey Olson, known as the Tolkien Professor, discusses the weapon used by Sauron in the final battle of the War of the Last Alliance. Sauron is depicted as using his own burning hands to kill Gil-Galad, making his hands his primary weapon. The discussion also touches on the intentionality behind the syllabic near-reversal of the names Theoden and Denethor, highlighting the parallelism between the characters and their names' roots in different languages—Anglo-Saxon for Theoden and Elvish for Denethor. Furthermore, Sauron's nature as a Maia, an angelic being, is explored, along with the transformation of Gandalf from a Gray Wizard to a White Wizard, emphasizing the change in his role rather than a promotion in rank.

05:00
🧭 Middle Earth Navigation and the Uruks' Language

The query about the existence of compasses in Middle Earth is addressed with the assertion that while the world of Arda has magnetic poles, there are no explicit references to compasses being used. The conversation shifts to the Black Speech of Mordor, which Sauron created to solve communication issues among his orc armies. The script used for the One Ring's inscription, Tengwar, was borrowed from the Elves, reflecting Sauron's inability to create new and beautiful things independently. The mysterious fate of the Entwives is also discussed, with Tolkien himself admitting uncertainty about their ultimate destiny.

10:03
🏡 Exploring the Shire and the Etymology of 'Dwarves'

The Shire's various towns and villages are listed, including Michel Delving, Buckland, and Tuckborough, providing a geographical context for the region inhabited by Hobbits. The peculiar pluralization of 'dwarf' to 'dwarves' is attributed to Tolkien's linguistic preferences, as he insisted on this form despite traditional grammar suggesting 'dwarfs'. This decision was a point of contention with the publishing staff but reflects Tolkien's philological background and his desire for linguistic consistency.

15:05
⛵️ The Last Ship to Valinor and Melkor's Influence

The urgency of boarding the last ship to Valinor is explained as a singular opportunity due to the nature of the world in Tolkien's legendarium. Once the world became round, the 'Far West' was removed, and the straight road to Valinor became the only path for Elves to reach the Blessed Realm. Arwen's choice not to take the ship is pivotal as it symbolizes her acceptance of a mortal fate by marrying Aragorn. The influence of Melkor, the primary antagonist akin to Satan, is also discussed, with his corruption of Arda leading to its tendency towards decay and tragedy. Eru, or God, however, ensures that Melkor's actions ultimately contribute to the world's ultimate beauty and glory.

🔱 Numenor's Fall and the Legacy of Tolkien

Sauron's cunning strategy to corrupt Numenor from within by turning it into a cult in the name of Melkor is detailed. This led to Numenor's attack on the Elves and the Valar, which resulted in Numenor's own destruction. The discussion concludes with an appreciation for the enduring legacy of Tolkien's works, which continue to inspire debate and discussion decades later, a testament to the depth and richness of his world-building.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Sauron
Sauron is a central figure in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, specifically in 'The Lord of the Rings'. He is a powerful and malevolent being, originally a Maia, similar to an angelic being. In the script, Sauron is described as using his burning hands as a weapon, highlighting his formidable and fearsome nature. His character is pivotal to the War of the Last Alliance and the overarching theme of the struggle between good and evil in Tolkien's works.
💡Gil-Galad
Gil-Galad is an Elven king who plays a significant role in the lore of 'The Lord of the Rings'. He is mentioned in the script as being killed by Sauron with his burning hands, underscoring the severity of Sauron's power and the high stakes of the conflict. Gil-Galad's demise is a key event that contributes to the narrative of the Last Alliance and the enmity between the Free Peoples and Sauron.
💡Tolkien Professor
Corey Olsen, referred to as the Tolkien Professor in the script, is a scholar and educator who specializes in the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. His insights and analyses provide a deeper understanding of the themes and characters in Tolkien's universe. The script features his commentary on various aspects of Middle-earth, enhancing the viewer's appreciation for the complexity and depth of Tolkien's world.
💡Theoden and Denethor
Theoden and Denethor are two characters from 'The Lord of the Rings' who are discussed in the script in terms of their parallel development and the possible intentionality of the syllabic near-reversal of their names. Theoden, a king of Rohan, and Denethor, the steward of Gondor, are explored for their contrasting fates and the thematic resonance their names might have, reflecting Tolkien's attention to linguistic detail and character development.
💡Maia
In Tolkien's legendarium, Maiar are powerful spiritual beings, similar to angels, who are lesser in status to the Valar but greater than Elves and Men. Sauron, as mentioned in the script, is a Maia, which explains his immense power and his role as a significant antagonist. The concept of Maia is integral to understanding the hierarchical structure of Tolkien's mythos and the nature of Sauron's being.
💡Wizards' Colors
The colors associated with the wizards in 'The Lord of the Rings', such as Gandalf the Grey and Saruman the White, are discussed in the script as indicative of their roles rather than a hierarchy. Gandalf's transition from grey to white signifies a change in his role after Saruman's fall, emphasizing his leadership in the fight against Sauron. This concept is crucial to understanding the structure of power and influence among the wizards.
💡Arda
Arda is the world in which J.R.R. Tolkien's stories take place, encompassing the continents of Middle-earth and other lands. The script mentions the transformation of Arda from a flat earth to a spherical world following the Akallabeth, or the Downfall of Númenor. This change is significant as it reflects the mythic scale of the events described in Tolkien's works and the evolution of the world's cosmology.
💡Black Speech
The Black Speech is a language created by Sauron and used in Mordor, as mentioned in the script. It is described as being ugly to listen to yet appearing aesthetically pleasing when inscribed on the One Ring using Tengwar script. This contrast highlights Sauron's inability to create beauty independently and his need to borrow from the Elves, reflecting on his character and the thematic elements of creation and corruption.
💡Entwives
The Entwives are the wives of the Ents, a race of tree-like beings in Middle-earth. Their fate is a mystery, as discussed in the script, with Tolkien himself admitting he did not know what happened to them. The uncertainty surrounding the Entwives adds to the rich tapestry of unanswered questions in Middle-earth, inviting speculation and enriching the world's lore.
💡The Shire
The Shire is a region in Middle-earth and the homeland of the Hobbits, as mentioned in the script. It is depicted as a peaceful and idyllic place with various towns and villages such as Hobbiton, Michel Delving, Buckland, and Tuckborough. The Shire is a central location in 'The Lord of the Rings' and represents a bastion of simplicity and tranquility amidst the larger conflicts of Middle-earth.
💡Pluralization in Tolkien's works
The script touches on the unique pluralization in Tolkien's works, such as 'elves' for the singular 'elf' and 'dwarves' for 'dwarf'. This is attributed to Tolkien's background as a philologist and his desire for linguistic consistency and aesthetic appeal. The choice to use 'dwarves' instead of the traditional 'dwarfs' is a deliberate innovation by Tolkien that has influenced modern fantasy literature.
Highlights

Sauron is described as using his burning hands as a weapon, killing Gil-Galad.

Theoden's name comes from Anglo-Saxon, meaning 'king', reflecting the Rohirrim's language and heritage.

Denethor's name is derived from Elvish languages, contrasting with Theoden's and highlighting their parallel characters.

Sauron is a Maia, an angelic being, not a mortal creature like an elf or human.

Gandalf's transition from Gray to White signifies a change in his role, not a rank promotion.

Middle Earth has magnetic poles, but there is no explicit reference to the use of compasses for navigation.

The inscription on the One Ring is written in Tengwar, highlighting Sauron's inability to create new, beautiful things.

The fate of the Entwives remains a mystery, with Tolkien himself stating he did not know their ultimate fate.

The Shire includes various towns and villages such as Michel Delving, Buckland, and Tuckborough.

Tolkien's choice to use 'dwarves' as the plural of 'dwarf' was a deliberate linguistic decision.

The urgency of the last boat to Valinor is due to the straight road being the only remaining path to the Blessed Realm.

Arwen's choice to become mortal and forgo the journey to Valinor is a significant and irreversible decision.

There is no JRR Tolkien book specifically about the Goblin and Dwarf Great War, with information primarily found in Appendix A of 'The Return of the King'.

Melkor, the primary antagonist in Middle Earth, is akin to a Satan figure and is responsible for the world's decay and tragedy.

Sauron corrupted Numenor, turning it into a cult that worshipped Melkor, leading to their downfall.

Corey Olsen, the Tolkien Professor, appreciates the ongoing discussions and debates about Tolkien's works, even decades later.

Transcripts

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Middle EarthTolkienSauronLinguisticsFantasyElvesMaiaNumenorAnglo-SaxonMordorEntwivesWizardsBlack SpeechArdaArwenTheodenDenethorGandalfPhilologyValinorMysteryFateGreat WarTheologyCult