Radagast the Brown?? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Faramir · 02-22-2005, 06:38 AM

In Lotr Radagast only plays a very small part, I dont know much about him so I hope you guys could tell me about him.

dancing spawn of ungoliant · 02-22-2005, 07:04 AM

Here's something:

Wizards
Success of the Wizards
Radagast?

From the Encyclopedia of Arda:
Dates: Immortal. Radagast came to Middle-earth c.III 1000, and remained there at least until III 3018; his final fate is unknown.
Race: Ainur
Division: Maiar of Yavanna
Order: Istari (Wizards)
Meaning: Adûnaic for 'tender of beasts'
Other Names: Aiwendil
Titles: The Bird-tamer, The Brown, The Fool, The Simple

The third, with Gandalf and Saruman, of the three Wizards who remained in the northwest of Middle-earth; he formerly dwelt at Rhosgobel on the borders of Mirkwood.

tar-ancalime · 02-22-2005, 09:25 AM

That's interesting...why would he have an Adunaic name?

Ruoutorin · 02-22-2005, 11:26 AM

Radagast the Brown became enamored with birds and trees and things of nature and he strayed from his mission.

Snorri Swifthammer · 02-22-2005, 02:42 PM

What Ruoutorin said.

I never really understood his purpose in the books. The only thing I could think of is it shows that failure does not necessarily mean evil but a lack of focus.

Boromir88 · 02-22-2005, 07:49 PM

Radagast by no means was a bad guy like Saruman, or completely just said forget about Middle-earth like Alatar and Pallando, but he just didn't "do" enough to succeed in his mission like Gandalf.

The key thing is the purpose of the istari were to bring together the people of middle-earth, to combat Sauron. As far as we know Radagast does not do this. He does listen to Gandalf, and has no part to play to help Sauron, or intentionally help Saruman, but nothing is said on him sticking to his purpose. Let's look at Gandalf, he helps Elrond said up a plan, he frees Theoden, he aids Gondor, he sticks with the people of Middle-earth to fight Sauron. Radagast tends to his birds, and does his own thing, if it so happens that Gandalf needs Radagasts' help he is willing, but other than that Radagast (as far as we know and according to Tolkien) doesn't complete his task.

I've often thought that the istari had the important task of combatting Sauron and aiding the people's of middle-earth, but were also sent for personal tasks. It just so happens Radagast, chosen by Yavanna, falls in love with herbs and birds, a nature man. Possibly each istari were given a seperate, personal task, and Radagast let that one interfere with the main task.

02-22-2005, 06:38 AM	#1
Faramir Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In the Forest of Ithilien. Posts: 43	Radagast the Brown?? In Lotr Radagast only plays a very small part, I dont know much about him so I hope you guys could tell me about him.

02-22-2005, 07:04 AM	#2
dancing spawn of ungoliant Mischievous Candle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: So near to Russia, so far from Japan, quite a long way from Cairo, lots of miles from Vietnam. Posts: 1,234	Here's something: Wizards Success of the Wizards Radagast? From the Encyclopedia of Arda: Dates: Immortal. Radagast came to Middle-earth c.III 1000, and remained there at least until III 3018; his final fate is unknown. Race: Ainur Division: Maiar of Yavanna Order: Istari (Wizards) Meaning: Adûnaic for 'tender of beasts' Other Names: Aiwendil Titles: The Bird-tamer, The Brown, The Fool, The Simple The third, with Gandalf and Saruman, of the three Wizards who remained in the northwest of Middle-earth; he formerly dwelt at Rhosgobel on the borders of Mirkwood. __________________ Fenris Wolf

02-22-2005, 09:25 AM	#3
tar-ancalime Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: abaft the beam Posts: 303	That's interesting...why would he have an Adunaic name? __________________ Having fun wolfing it to the bitter end, I see, gaur-ancalime (lmp, ww13)

02-22-2005, 02:42 PM	#5
Snorri Swifthammer Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Erebor Posts: 49	What Ruoutorin said. I never really understood his purpose in the books. The only thing I could think of is it shows that failure does not necessarily mean evil but a lack of focus. Last edited by Snorri Swifthammer; 02-23-2005 at 11:46 AM.

02-22-2005, 11:26 AM	#4
Ruoutorin Pile O'Bones Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 16	Radagast the Brown became enamored with birds and trees and things of nature and he strayed from his mission.

02-22-2005, 07:49 PM	#6
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,519	Radagast by no means was a bad guy like Saruman, or completely just said forget about Middle-earth like Alatar and Pallando, but he just didn't "do" enough to succeed in his mission like Gandalf. The key thing is the purpose of the istari were to bring together the people of middle-earth, to combat Sauron. As far as we know Radagast does not do this. He does listen to Gandalf, and has no part to play to help Sauron, or intentionally help Saruman, but nothing is said on him sticking to his purpose. Let's look at Gandalf, he helps Elrond said up a plan, he frees Theoden, he aids Gondor, he sticks with the people of Middle-earth to fight Sauron. Radagast tends to his birds, and does his own thing, if it so happens that Gandalf needs Radagasts' help he is willing, but other than that Radagast (as far as we know and according to Tolkien) doesn't complete his task. I've often thought that the istari had the important task of combatting Sauron and aiding the people's of middle-earth, but were also sent for personal tasks. It just so happens Radagast, chosen by Yavanna, falls in love with herbs and birds, a nature man. Possibly each istari were given a seperate, personal task, and Radagast let that one interfere with the main task.