A secret weapon? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Finduilas · 04-23-2007, 11:14 AM

At the beginning of both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, Gandalf is described as having “eyebrows that extended beyond the brim of his hat”.

Did Tolkien merely do this as a joke or did he seriously mean it? Can you imagine if he seriously meant it? It might not look so outlandish when he has a hat on, but when he takes it off...

"If I put styling gel in it just right and point the ends and hold them until they dry, they make very effective pokers for anyone who tries to attack me."

This thread can be used for people’s opinions on the matter, and other descriptions that seem like Tolkien couldn’t have meant it. I would like some serious thoughts on the matter, but not very many are necessary.

Also if anyone could get a hold of some pictures that correctly portray his eyebrows, I would be interested in seeing them.

--Finduilas--

Rikae · 04-23-2007, 11:35 AM

The Rankin/Bass cartoon seems to have solved the problem by giving him a hat without a brim.

Bêthberry · 04-23-2007, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finduilas

At the beginning of both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, Gandalf is described as having “eyebrows that extended beyond the brim of his hat”.

. . .

Also if anyone could get a hold of some pictures that correctly portray his eyebrows, I would be interested in seeing them.

--Finduilas--

Well, these are hardly correct--as they are not of Gandalf but another icon of Northern mythology--but they do suggest how I often imagine that effect could be achieved.

Folwren · 04-23-2007, 12:01 PM

Hahaha! That's hilarious. Only, Gandalf had a wide-brimmed hat, if I'm not mistaken...

I once sketched him with foot long eyebrows. If can draw that again and then scan it onto the computer, perhaps I could show you. Or, I could try doing it on Paint, but I'm awful on Paint...

-- Folwren

Bêthberry · 04-23-2007, 01:17 PM

The famous John Howe image of Gandalf striding through The Shire does not have eyebrows which extend beyond the brim of his hat, although they are a bit thick and his hair does flow out from under the sides of the brim.

You know, I have the vaguest hunch, just a teeny tiny suspicion, that something about this topic will eventually come round to depictions of balrogs. Not that they have ever been said or argued to have such accoutrement as bushy eyebrows.

Finduilas · 04-23-2007, 02:28 PM

Lol.

Quote:

You know, I have the vaguest hunch, just a teeny tiny suspicion, that something about this topic will eventually come round to depictions of balrogs.

I did think of that, but hoped people would overlook it.

And, yes Folwren I do believe it was a broadbrimed hat.

Thanks for all the pictures

littlemanpoet · 04-23-2007, 03:33 PM

Ever seen a really old man whose wife did not clip his eyebrows? I've had to yank mine now for the last 5 years, and I'm only in my 40s. Imagine a Gandalf the Grey who has been around for thousands of years, his eyebrows constantly growing like an old man's does, and he not giving tuppence about it because he has more important things to worry about. It's part of Tolkien's means of hinting at how old Gandalf is, or at least how long he's been around. Sorry for a rather "Books" post, but I thought I'd suggest what Tolkien probably meant by it.

Finduilas · 04-23-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Sorry for a rather "Books" post, but I thought I'd suggest what Tolkien probably meant by it.

That's great, in fact I was tempted to put this under "Books" because I wanted some serious feedback.

Would his eyebrows grow sideways past the brim of his hat?

littlemanpoet · 04-23-2007, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finduilas

Would his eyebrows grow sideways past the brim of his hat?

Considering what mine want to do before I yank them, no doubt about it.

Folwren · 04-24-2007, 07:58 AM

But how ... how would he get it to stick out straight from under the brim of his hat? Instead of falling down the sides and joining his beard?

Estelyn Telcontar · 04-24-2007, 08:11 AM

...moustache wax...

Oddwen · 04-24-2007, 09:52 AM

Gandalf's beard was also said once to "stand out stiff like bristling wire" - he's probably got very thick hair - I'm not at all surprised his eyebrows stood out. He's also got excellent forehead muscles - all that brow-furrowing & worrying has built up quite a foundation for all that hair.

Or maybe they're extendable? I remember he "stuck out his bushy eyebrows" at Bilbo in anger - does Gandalf have retractable eyebrows?

Finduilas · 04-24-2007, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oddwen

Gandalf's beard was also said once to "stand out stiff like bristling wire" - he's probably got very thick hair - I'm not at all surprised his eyebrows stood out. He's also got excellent forehead muscles - all that brow-furrowing & worrying has built up quite a foundation for all that hair.

Or maybe they're extendable? I remember he "stuck out his bushy eyebrows" at Bilbo in anger - does Gandalf have retractable eyebrows?

Ha. Maybe so, but some how I don't think so. Maybe they did grow sideways, and when he "stuck out his bushy eyebrows" they shifted forwards.

Oddwen · 04-24-2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Maybe they did grow sideways, and when he "stuck out his bushy eyebrows" they shifted forwards.

...in a flapping motion? Like wings?

Now I can imagine Gandalf sailing over the Misty Mountains, eyebrows twirling like a helicopter...

Finduilas · 04-24-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

in a flapping motion? Like wings?

Precisely!

Aganzir · 04-26-2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oddwen

Now I can imagine Gandalf sailing over the Misty Mountains

Actually, Gwaihir doesn't exist. He's just a commercial invention of the publisher, for who would read a book where an old man flies with his eyebrows (Tolkien's original plan), rather than is carried by a noble eagle?

Anyway, I went to see the film Goya's Ghosts yesterday. There was an old priest Father Gregorio, played by Michael Lonsdale, whose eyebrows would surely almost match Gandalf's. Unfortunately, I can't find a proper photo of him anywhere.

Ataralasse · 05-03-2007, 07:52 PM

As I recall, his hat is described as 'shady'.

Whenever I read that (or read about it

), I always try to picture Gandalf's large eyebrows sticking out beyond the brim of his shady hat. I can never get it. LOL

04-23-2007, 11:14 AM	#1
Finduilas Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Home. Where rolling green hills and clear rivers are practically my backyard. Posts: 595	A secret weapon? At the beginning of both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, Gandalf is described as having “eyebrows that extended beyond the brim of his hat”. Did Tolkien merely do this as a joke or did he seriously mean it? Can you imagine if he seriously meant it? It might not look so outlandish when he has a hat on, but when he takes it off... "If I put styling gel in it just right and point the ends and hold them until they dry, they make very effective pokers for anyone who tries to attack me." This thread can be used for people’s opinions on the matter, and other descriptions that seem like Tolkien couldn’t have meant it. I would like some serious thoughts on the matter, but not very many are necessary. Also if anyone could get a hold of some pictures that correctly portray his eyebrows, I would be interested in seeing them. --Finduilas-- __________________ One (1) book of rules and traffic regulations, which may not be bent or broken. ~ The Phantom Tollbooth Last edited by Finduilas; 04-23-2007 at 11:22 AM.

04-23-2007, 12:01 PM	#4
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	Hahaha! That's hilarious. Only, Gandalf had a wide-brimmed hat, if I'm not mistaken... I once sketched him with foot long eyebrows. If can draw that again and then scan it onto the computer, perhaps I could show you. Or, I could try doing it on Paint, but I'm awful on Paint... -- Folwren __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis

04-24-2007, 07:58 AM	#10
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	But how ... how would he get it to stick out straight from under the brim of his hat? Instead of falling down the sides and joining his beard? __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis

04-24-2007, 08:11 AM	#11
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	...moustache wax... __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

04-24-2007, 09:52 AM	#12
Oddwen Drummer in the Deep Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Next Sunday A.D. Posts: 2,145	Gandalf's beard was also said once to "stand out stiff like bristling wire" - he's probably got very thick hair - I'm not at all surprised his eyebrows stood out. He's also got excellent forehead muscles - all that brow-furrowing & worrying has built up quite a foundation for all that hair. Or maybe they're extendable? I remember he "stuck out his bushy eyebrows" at Bilbo in anger - does Gandalf have retractable eyebrows? __________________ But all the while I sit and think of times there were before I listen for returning feet and voices at the door

04-23-2007, 11:35 AM	#2
Rikae Mellifluous Maia Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: A glade open to the stars, deep in Nan Elmoth Posts: 3,489	The Rankin/Bass cartoon seems to have solved the problem by giving him a hat without a brim.

04-23-2007, 01:17 PM	#5
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	The famous John Howe image of Gandalf striding through The Shire does not have eyebrows which extend beyond the brim of his hat, although they are a bit thick and his hair does flow out from under the sides of the brim. You know, I have the vaguest hunch, just a teeny tiny suspicion, that something about this topic will eventually come round to depictions of balrogs. Not that they have ever been said or argued to have such accoutrement as bushy eyebrows.

04-23-2007, 03:33 PM	#7
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	Ever seen a really old man whose wife did not clip his eyebrows? I've had to yank mine now for the last 5 years, and I'm only in my 40s. Imagine a Gandalf the Grey who has been around for thousands of years, his eyebrows constantly growing like an old man's does, and he not giving tuppence about it because he has more important things to worry about. It's part of Tolkien's means of hinting at how old Gandalf is, or at least how long he's been around. Sorry for a rather "Books" post, but I thought I'd suggest what Tolkien probably meant by it.

05-03-2007, 07:52 PM	#17
Ataralasse Pile O'Bones Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mirkwood Posts: 20	As I recall, his hat is described as 'shady'. Whenever I read that (or read about it ), I always try to picture Gandalf's large eyebrows sticking out beyond the brim of his shady hat. I can never get it. LOL __________________ This was unexpected and rather difficult. There was some scattered clapping, but most of them were trying to work it out to see if it came to a compliment.