Tolkien Thomas Honegger

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ME Chronology Creation and the Shaping of Arda Creation and the Shaping of Arda The Ages of the Lamps The Ages of the Lamps *The Ages of the Trees (Undying Lands) *The Ages of the Trees (Undying Lands) *The Ages of Darkness (Middle-earth) *The Ages of Darkness (Middle-earth) *The Ages of Stars (Middle-earth) *The Ages of Stars (Middle-earth) The Ages of the Sun The Ages of the Sun *these ages exist simultaneously in different locations *these ages exist simultaneously in different locations

The Two Trees

The Stars

Doors of Night

Chronology of Middle-earth Tony Steele, 2004, ‘The Chronology of Middle-earth’, Mallorn 42: Tony Steele, 2004, ‘The Chronology of Middle-earth’, Mallorn 42: First Age of the Sun: 10,160 BC First Age of the Sun: 10,160 BC Second Age of the Sun: 9563 BC Second Age of the Sun: 9563 BC Third Age of the Sun: 6122 BC Third Age of the Sun: 6122 BC Fourth Age of the Sun: 3102 BC Fourth Age of the Sun: 3102 BC

Exploring ME leisurely The Shire (crossing of the Brandywine 1601 TA = 1 SR) - ‘home’ in ME The Shire (crossing of the Brandywine 1601 TA = 1 SR) - ‘home’ in ME Old Forest (really old!) - nature untamed Old Forest (really old!) - nature untamed Tom Bombadil (even older) - ??? Tom Bombadil (even older) - ??? Bree (3320 SA) - men Bree (3320 SA) - men Rivendell (1697 SA) - elves Rivendell (1697 SA) - elves

Out of Bag End

into the Old Forest

Tom Bombadil

Tom Bombadil 1 Old Tom Bombadil is a merry fellow; bright blue his jacket is, and his boots are yellow. Old Tom Bombadil is a merry fellow; bright blue his jacket is, and his boots are yellow. Frodo: ‘Who is Tom Bombadil?’ Frodo: ‘Who is Tom Bombadil?’ Goldberry: ‘He is.’ / ‘He is as you have seen him.’ / ‘He is the Master of wood, water, and hill.’ (LotR p. 139) Goldberry: ‘He is.’ / ‘He is as you have seen him.’ / ‘He is the Master of wood, water, and hill.’ (LotR p. 139)

Tom Bombadil unfallen man? unfallen man? cf. his use of ‘unfallen language’ and his ability to communicate with animals and other beings. cf. his use of ‘unfallen language’ and his ability to communicate with animals and other beings. Sharp-ears, Wise-nose, Swish-tail, White-socks, Bumpkin, Fatty Lumpkin Sharp-ears, Wise-nose, Swish-tail, White-socks, Bumpkin, Fatty Lumpkin

Adam names the beasts

Tom Bombadil unfallen man? unfallen man? a Maia or even a Vala? a Maia or even a Vala?

Tolkien’s Heavenly Hierarchy Eru/Illúvatar, the One, Creator of the Universe Eru/Illúvatar, the One, Creator of the Universe the Ainur (sg. Ainu) ≈ Arch-angels the Ainur (sg. Ainu) ≈ Arch-angels the Valar (sg. Vala) = incarnated Ainur, shaping forces of Arda (e.g. Manwë, Varda, Aulë, Yavanna, Ulmo, Nienna, Mandos, Oromë, Melkor) the Valar (sg. Vala) = incarnated Ainur, shaping forces of Arda (e.g. Manwë, Varda, Aulë, Yavanna, Ulmo, Nienna, Mandos, Oromë, Melkor) Maiar (sg. Maia) = servants of the Valar (e.g. Gandalf/Olorin, Sauron, Eönwë) Maiar (sg. Maia) = servants of the Valar (e.g. Gandalf/Olorin, Sauron, Eönwë)

Ulmo, Lord of the Waters

Tom Bombadil a Maia or even a Vala? a Maia or even a Vala? Eru Himself? Eru Himself? Tom was a Dutch doll that belonged to Michael. John didn’t like it and one day stuffed it down the lavatory. Tom was rescued and survived to become the hero of a poem by Tolkien, which was published in the Oxford Magazine in (Carpenter p. 165) Tom was a Dutch doll that belonged to Michael. John didn’t like it and one day stuffed it down the lavatory. Tom was rescued and survived to become the hero of a poem by Tolkien, which was published in the Oxford Magazine in (Carpenter p. 165)

Tom Bombadil the genius loci of the Old Forest? Cf. Letters p.26 “the spirit of the (vanishing) Oxfordshire and Berkshire countryside” (Dec. 1937) the genius loci of the Old Forest? Cf. Letters p.26 “the spirit of the (vanishing) Oxfordshire and Berkshire countryside” (Dec. 1937) “even in a mythical Age there must be some enigmas, as there always are. Tom Bombadil is on (intentionally).” (Letters p. 174) “even in a mythical Age there must be some enigmas, as there always are. Tom Bombadil is on (intentionally).” (Letters p. 174)

The Function of the Old Forest Episode the hobbits encounter primordial wild nature - represented by Old Man Willow => they come to realise that there are also other (older?) malevolent forces in Middle-earth next to Sauron or the Black Riders the hobbits encounter primordial wild nature - represented by Old Man Willow => they come to realise that there are also other (older?) malevolent forces in Middle-earth next to Sauron or the Black Riders Tom Bombadil represents the complementary (benevolent) element to the primordial wild nature => the hobbits come to realise that there are also other (older) good forces. Tom Bombadil represents the complementary (benevolent) element to the primordial wild nature => the hobbits come to realise that there are also other (older) good forces. They learn about the historical dimension of their part of the world. They learn about the historical dimension of their part of the world.

The Barrow Downs

The Barrow Wight barrow = Hügelgrab barrow = Hügelgrab wight = ‘Wicht’, being wight = ‘Wicht’, being see The Adventures of Tom Bombadil see The Adventures of Tom Bombadil

The Barrow Wight 1

The Barrow Wight 2

Another Test

Function of the barrow-wight episode brings the hobbits into contact with yet another form of evil brings the hobbits into contact with yet another form of evil gives us yet another glimpse of the history of this part of Middle-earth (cf. Tom’s comments on the brooch; Merry’s ‘flashback’) => Beowulfian depth gives us yet another glimpse of the history of this part of Middle-earth (cf. Tom’s comments on the brooch; Merry’s ‘flashback’) => Beowulfian depth explains how the hobbits acquired magic blades (i.e. Merry’s blade that will destroy the Lord of the Nazgûl) explains how the hobbits acquired magic blades (i.e. Merry’s blade that will destroy the Lord of the Nazgûl)

Bree long-established settlement of both Hobbits and Men (Little Folk and Big Folk) long-established settlement of both Hobbits and Men (Little Folk and Big Folk) at the crossing of the south-north and west-east roads at the crossing of the south-north and west-east roads Bree = Celt. ‘hill’ => Breehill = ‘hill hill’ cf. Torhill; see also Chetwood = wood wood Bree = Celt. ‘hill’ => Breehill = ‘hill hill’ cf. Torhill; see also Chetwood = wood wood

The Man in the Moon performed by The Hobbitons, 1996, Songs from Middle-earth. performed by The Hobbitons, 1996, Songs from Middle-earth.

Folk Songs and Ringwraiths It was about an inn; and that is probably why it came into Frodo’s mind just then. Here it is in full. Only a few words of it are now, as a rule, remembered. It was about an inn; and that is probably why it came into Frodo’s mind just then. Here it is in full. Only a few words of it are now, as a rule, remembered. There is an inn, a merry old inn beneath an old grey hill, And there they brew a beer so brown That the Man in the Moon himself came down one night to drink his fill. There is an inn, a merry old inn beneath an old grey hill, And there they brew a beer so brown That the Man in the Moon himself came down one night to drink his fill.

Folk Songs and Ringwraiths 2 The ostler has a tipsy cat that plays a five-stringed fiddle; And up and down he runs his bow, Now squeaking high, now purring low, now sawing in the middle. The landlord keeps a little dog that is mighty fond of jokes; When there’s good cheer among the guests, He cocks an ear at all the jests and laughs until he chokes. The ostler has a tipsy cat that plays a five-stringed fiddle; And up and down he runs his bow, Now squeaking high, now purring low, now sawing in the middle. The landlord keeps a little dog that is mighty fond of jokes; When there’s good cheer among the guests, He cocks an ear at all the jests and laughs until he chokes.

Folk Songs and Ringwraiths 3 They also keep a hornéd cow as proud as any queen; But music turns her head like ale, And makes her wave her tufted tail and dance upon the green. And O! the rows of silver dishes and the store of silver spoons! For Sunday there’s a special pair, And these they polish up with care on Saturday afternoons. They also keep a hornéd cow as proud as any queen; But music turns her head like ale, And makes her wave her tufted tail and dance upon the green. And O! the rows of silver dishes and the store of silver spoons! For Sunday there’s a special pair, And these they polish up with care on Saturday afternoons.

Folk Songs and Ringwraiths 4 The Man in the Moon was drinking deep, and the cat began to wail; A dish and a spoon on the table danced, The cow in the garden madly pranced, and the little dog chased his tail. The Man in the Moon took another mug, and then rolled beneath his chair; And there he dozed and dreamed of ale, Till in the sky the stars were pale, and dawn was in the air. The Man in the Moon was drinking deep, and the cat began to wail; A dish and a spoon on the table danced, The cow in the garden madly pranced, and the little dog chased his tail. The Man in the Moon took another mug, and then rolled beneath his chair; And there he dozed and dreamed of ale, Till in the sky the stars were pale, and dawn was in the air.

Folk Songs and Ringwraiths 5 Then the ostler said to his tipsy cat: ‘The white horses of the Moon, They neigh and champ their silver bits; But their master’s been and drowned his wits, and the Sun’ll be rising soon!’ So the cat on his fiddle played hey-diddle-diddle, a jig that would wake the dead: He squeaked and sawed and quickened the tune, While the landlord shook the Man in the Moon: ‘It’s after three!’ he said. Then the ostler said to his tipsy cat: ‘The white horses of the Moon, They neigh and champ their silver bits; But their master’s been and drowned his wits, and the Sun’ll be rising soon!’ So the cat on his fiddle played hey-diddle-diddle, a jig that would wake the dead: He squeaked and sawed and quickened the tune, While the landlord shook the Man in the Moon: ‘It’s after three!’ he said.

Folk Songs and Ringwraiths 6 They rolled the Man slowly up the hill and bundled him into the Moon, While his horses galloped up in rear, And the cow came capering like a deer, and a dish ran up with the spoon. Now quicker the fiddle went deedle-dum-diddle; the dog began to roar, The cow and the horses stood on their heads; The guests all bounded from their beds and danced upon the floor. They rolled the Man slowly up the hill and bundled him into the Moon, While his horses galloped up in rear, And the cow came capering like a deer, and a dish ran up with the spoon. Now quicker the fiddle went deedle-dum-diddle; the dog began to roar, The cow and the horses stood on their heads; The guests all bounded from their beds and danced upon the floor.

Folk Songs and Ringwraiths 7 With a ping and a pong the fiddle-strings broke! the cow jumped over the Moon, And the little dog laughed to see such fun, And the Saturday dish went off at a run with the silver Sunday spoon. The round Moon rolled behind the hill, as the Sun raised up her head, She hardly believed her fiery eyes; For though it was day, to her surprise they all went back to bed! With a ping and a pong the fiddle-strings broke! the cow jumped over the Moon, And the little dog laughed to see such fun, And the Saturday dish went off at a run with the silver Sunday spoon. The round Moon rolled behind the hill, as the Sun raised up her head, She hardly believed her fiery eyes; For though it was day, to her surprise they all went back to bed!

In search of the lost meaning 1 It was about an inn; and that is probably why it came into Frodo’s mind just then. Here it is in full. Only a few words of it are now, as a rule, remembered. It was about an inn; and that is probably why it came into Frodo’s mind just then. Here it is in full. Only a few words of it are now, as a rule, remembered.

In search of the lost meaning 2 Hey diddle diddle, The cat and the fiddle The cow jumped over the moon; The little dog laughed To see such sport, And the dish ran away with the spoon. (Andrew Lang, 1897, The Nursery Rhyme Book, p. 193) Hey diddle diddle, The cat and the fiddle The cow jumped over the moon; The little dog laughed To see such sport, And the dish ran away with the spoon. (Andrew Lang, 1897, The Nursery Rhyme Book, p. 193)

Cow jumping over the moon 1

Cow jumping over the moon 2

Vessels of the Sun & Moon

The Two Trees

The Two Trees 2 Telperion: the elder with flowers of silver Telperion: the elder with flowers of silver Laurelin: the younger with leaves of gold Laurelin: the younger with leaves of gold their light lives on in the Silmarils their light lives on in the Silmarils and in the Sun and the Moon and in the Sun and the Moon

The Two Trees 3 Telperion Telperion Galathilion in Tirion (Noldor city in Aman) Galathilion in Tirion (Noldor city in Aman) Celeborn in Eressëa (Lonely Isle off the coast of Aman, within sight of Númenor) Celeborn in Eressëa (Lonely Isle off the coast of Aman, within sight of Númenor) Nimloth in Númenor Nimloth in Númenor

The Two Trees 4 Telperion Telperion Galathilion in Tirion (Noldor city in Aman) Galathilion in Tirion (Noldor city in Aman) Celeborn in Eressëa (Lonely Isle off the coast of Aman, within sight of Númenor) Celeborn in Eressëa (Lonely Isle off the coast of Aman, within sight of Númenor) Nimloth in Númenor Nimloth in Númenor The White Trees of Gondor The White Trees of Gondor

Trotter / Strider Gandalf (together with Merry, Dwarves and Elves) has left Hobbiton on 22 September, journeys to Bree which he leaves on 26 September. Hobbits arrive in Bree 29 September. Gandalf (together with Merry, Dwarves and Elves) has left Hobbiton on 22 September, journeys to Bree which he leaves on 26 September. Hobbits arrive in Bree 29 September. ‘I am giving this [Gandalf’s letter] to a ranger (wild hobbit) known as Trotter: he is dark, long-haired, has wooden shoes.’ ‘I am giving this [Gandalf’s letter] to a ranger (wild hobbit) known as Trotter: he is dark, long-haired, has wooden shoes.’

A hobbit with wooden shoes?

Aragorn’s pedigree Tuor (of the Third House of the Edain) ∞ Idril Celebrindal (daughter of Turgon, High-Elven king of Gondolin) Tuor (of the Third House of the Edain) ∞ Idril Celebrindal (daughter of Turgon, High-Elven king of Gondolin) Eärendil the Mariner, son of Tuor and Idril ∞ Elwing the White (daughter of Dior and Nimloth, granddaughter of Beren and Lúthien) Eärendil the Mariner, son of Tuor and Idril ∞ Elwing the White (daughter of Dior and Nimloth, granddaughter of Beren and Lúthien)

Eärendil

Eärendil

Eärendil?

Aragorn’s pedigree Eärendil the Mariner, son of Tuor and Idril ∞ Elwing the White (daughter of Dior and Nimloth, granddaughter of Beren and Lúthien) Eärendil the Mariner, son of Tuor and Idril ∞ Elwing the White (daughter of Dior and Nimloth, granddaughter of Beren and Lúthien) Elros Tar-Minyatur, son of Eärendil and Elwing; SA first King of Númenor, twin brother of Elrond; founder of the Dúnedain royal line Elros Tar-Minyatur, son of Eärendil and Elwing; SA first King of Númenor, twin brother of Elrond; founder of the Dúnedain royal line

Putting a face to a name …

Arnor & Gondor

Aragorn’s pedigree Lords of Andúnië (the Faithful) Lords of Andúnië (the Faithful) Elendil the Tall (SA 3441), escapes to Middle- earth, first High King of Gondor and Arnor Elendil the Tall (SA 3441), escapes to Middle- earth, first High King of Gondor and Arnor Isildur (Kings of Arnor) Isildur (Kings of Arnor) Kings of Arnor (last king of Arthedain: Arvedui TA 1975) Kings of Arnor (last king of Arthedain: Arvedui TA 1975) Chieftains of the Dúnedain (Aranarth, Aranuir, Aravir, Aragorn I, Arahad I, Aragost, Aravorn, Arahad II, Arassuil, Arathorn I, Argonui, Arador, Arathorn II, Aragorn II) Chieftains of the Dúnedain (Aranarth, Aranuir, Aravir, Aragorn I, Arahad I, Aragost, Aravorn, Arahad II, Arassuil, Arathorn I, Argonui, Arador, Arathorn II, Aragorn II)

Ancestry of Aragorn Compiled by David B. Vale, 2003, Mallorn 41:24 Compiled by David B. Vale, 2003, Mallorn 41:24

All that is gold … All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king. (LotR 186) All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king. (LotR 186)

The crownless again shall be king

Weathertop 1 The Lay of Gil-galad The Lay of Gil-galad Last Alliance between Elves and Men (Gil-galad and Elendil) Last Alliance between Elves and Men (Gil-galad and Elendil) Destruction of Barad-dur Destruction of Barad-dur

Gil-galad (Starlight)

Weathertop 2 The Lay of Beren and Lúthien The Lay of Beren and Lúthien

The Relevance of the Lay Beren, like Aragorn, is a mortal man who covets the hand of an immortal lady - and who has to earn it the hard way. Beren, like Aragorn, is a mortal man who covets the hand of an immortal lady - and who has to earn it the hard way. Elros (ancestor of Aragorn) and Elrond (father of Arwen) are descendants of Beren and Lúthien (via Dior & Nimloth, Eärendil & Elwing) Elros (ancestor of Aragorn) and Elrond (father of Arwen) are descendants of Beren and Lúthien (via Dior & Nimloth, Eärendil & Elwing)

Glorfindel 1 Glorfindel (Q. ‘golden-haired’) of Gondolin (FA), golden-haired prince of the Noldor; perishes while fighting heroically a balrog during the fall of Gondolin Glorfindel (Q. ‘golden-haired’) of Gondolin (FA), golden-haired prince of the Noldor; perishes while fighting heroically a balrog during the fall of Gondolin

Glorfindel II Glorfindel of Imladris (TA), one of the mighty of the Noldor of Middle-earth. Glorfindel of Imladris (TA), one of the mighty of the Noldor of Middle-earth.

Glorfindel II Glorfindel of Imladris (TA), one of the mighty of the Noldor of Middle-earth. Glorfindel of Imladris (TA), one of the mighty of the Noldor of Middle-earth. ‘Re-incarnation’ of Glorfindel I? ‘Re-incarnation’ of Glorfindel I? Elves - even after death - remain within the created world and either wait in the Halls of Mandos or are sent back re- incarnated. Men depart from this world. Elves - even after death - remain within the created world and either wait in the Halls of Mandos or are sent back re- incarnated. Men depart from this world.

Next time: The Lord of the Rings III - From Rivendell to Lothlórien