Was the Witch-King based on Macbeth? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Gothbogg the Ripper · 09-13-2004, 09:09 AM

Whilst reading the Return of the King I noticed something odd...
The Witch-King was boasting about how invincible he was in front of Eowyn, his line; "Thou fool! No living man may hinder me!" sounded very familiar from someone else, Macbeth, yep that's right: El Drunko Shakespearerio is at it again, his character boasts in front of Macduff and Young Siward in much the same way so the question is; Is the Witch-King partly based on Macbeth?
That's for you to decide.

Mithalwen · 09-13-2004, 10:34 AM

Tolkien, was not as great a fan of Shakespeare as most people are but the Ents are certainly influenced by Macbeth - he wanted if I remember aright trees that really went to war. Certainly the prophercy that inspires false confidence is a shared feature .... but I don't think the maker of the prophecy (glorfindel) was inspired by the 3 hags

Bêthberry · 09-13-2004, 11:54 AM

Be not hasty in your decision. Perhaps you can pop over to Lush's thread on this topic: Glamis? Cawdor? A bookworm's musings

**The Saucepan Man** · 09-13-2004, 11:54 AM

See here for further thoughts on parallels between LotR and Shakespeare's works:

Glamis? Cawdor? A bookworm's musings

Edit: Snap, Bb.

Mithalwen · 09-13-2004, 12:08 PM

What a useful link - and in Stereo. I am so glad to discover the true origin of the curse of the Scottish play. LOL

Gothbogg the Ripper · 09-17-2004, 06:27 AM

Oh dear, this thread has flatlined.

Elessar Telcontar · 09-29-2004, 05:46 AM

Damn, has this thread finished...? I was just about to give my wisdom on the subject! Oh well, better luck next time I guess...

09-13-2004, 09:09 AM	#1
Gothbogg the Ripper Wight Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Southend,U.K Posts: 113	Was the Witch-King based on Macbeth? Whilst reading the Return of the King I noticed something odd... The Witch-King was boasting about how invincible he was in front of Eowyn, his line; "Thou fool! No living man may hinder me!" sounded very familiar from someone else, Macbeth, yep that's right: El Drunko Shakespearerio is at it again, his character boasts in front of Macduff and Young Siward in much the same way so the question is; Is the Witch-King partly based on Macbeth? That's for you to decide.

09-13-2004, 10:34 AM	#2
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	Tolkien, was not as great a fan of Shakespeare as most people are but the Ents are certainly influenced by Macbeth - he wanted if I remember aright trees that really went to war. Certainly the prophercy that inspires false confidence is a shared feature .... but I don't think the maker of the prophecy (glorfindel) was inspired by the 3 hags __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

09-13-2004, 11:54 AM	#4
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	See here for further thoughts on parallels between LotR and Shakespeare's works: Glamis? Cawdor? A bookworm's musings Edit: Snap, Bb. __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!

09-13-2004, 12:08 PM	#5
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	What a useful link - and in Stereo. I am so glad to discover the true origin of the curse of the Scottish play. LOL __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

09-17-2004, 06:27 AM	#6
Gothbogg the Ripper Wight Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Southend,U.K Posts: 113	Oh dear, this thread has flatlined. Last edited by Gothbogg the Ripper; 09-29-2004 at 04:15 AM.

09-13-2004, 11:54 AM	#3
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Be not hasty in your decision. Perhaps you can pop over to Lush's thread on this topic: Glamis? Cawdor? A bookworm's musings

09-29-2004, 05:46 AM	#7
Elessar Telcontar Pile O'Bones Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 12	Damn, has this thread finished...? I was just about to give my wisdom on the subject! Oh well, better luck next time I guess... __________________ "Death cannot be prevented, only delayed..."