Proof that LotR is bordering on a true mythology - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Roa_Aoife · 04-17-2004, 10:05 PM

As for references to LotR, I saw a road sign with a silohuet of a wizard and the words "You shall not pass!" It was a no passing zone.

Gothmog · 04-18-2004, 03:46 AM

Here in Sweden we have a floorball team in the highest division calling themselves Balrog...

By the way, you could almost refer to LotR as a true mythology. Tolkien borrowed some ingredients in the story from real mythology and folklore. Some celtic stories and a lot of norse folklore interested him. For example: Gandalf is the name of a dwarf in Snorres edda, an old poetic Icelandic tale and Frodo exists in an other story too (can´t remember were tough).

Of course, most of Middle Earth comes from Tolkien´s own excellent fantasy, but some parts are based on "true" stories.

tar-ancalime · 04-18-2004, 02:04 PM

In Salman Rushdie's novel The Ground Beneath Her Feet, he quotes TOlkien as follows:

Ash nazg durbatuluk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatuluk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul!

I don't remember the exact context, and as I lent my copy of the book to a friend (and don't really expect to have it back) I can't look it up. It's a wonderful book, though: a modern reworking of the Orpheus myth.

Roa_Aoife · 04-18-2004, 09:20 PM

If any one has read the Green Rider series, it has several items that are very Tolkien-ish. The word wight is even used, and it is obvious that author assumes that evryone is familiar with this term, just as we are with griffin or siren.

Imladris · 04-18-2004, 11:07 PM

Actually, I did come across the word "wight" in Sleepy Hollow or Rip Van Winkle, I believe, by Washington Irving. In fact, the definintion of wight is "a living being, a creature."

At least I think it was one of those two...I do know the book preceded Tolkien. I haven't read the Green Rider series, so I don't know the context...

Beanamir of Gondor · 05-19-2004, 10:06 AM

Not just Misty Mountain Hop, either, warrnerd. Lots of others.

And has anyone ever read "The Sword of Shannara?"

Lhundulinwen · 05-19-2004, 11:27 AM

Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks is actually not that bad of a book, if you don't mind that most of the plot is a rip-off of LOTR. (Just my oppinion.) I believe I read somewhere on a forum, that he was comissioned by the publisher to write a LOTR type book, but then again I could have been dreaming.

04-17-2004, 10:05 PM	#1
Roa_Aoife Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Someday, I'll rule all of it. Posts: 1,696	As for references to LotR, I saw a road sign with a silohuet of a wizard and the words "You shall not pass!" It was a no passing zone. __________________ We can't all be Roas* when it comes to analysing...* -Lommy I didn't say you're evil, Roa, I said you're exasperating. -Nerwen

04-18-2004, 03:46 AM	#2
Gothmog Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Where I lay my head is home Posts: 421	Here in Sweden we have a floorball team in the highest division calling themselves Balrog... By the way, you could almost refer to LotR as a true mythology. Tolkien borrowed some ingredients in the story from real mythology and folklore. Some celtic stories and a lot of norse folklore interested him. For example: Gandalf is the name of a dwarf in Snorres edda, an old poetic Icelandic tale and Frodo exists in an other story too (can´t remember were tough). Of course, most of Middle Earth comes from Tolkien´s own excellent fantasy, but some parts are based on "true" stories. __________________ Three switched witches watch three Swatch watch switches. Which switched witch watch which Swatch watch switch? He who breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom ~Lurker...

04-18-2004, 09:20 PM	#4
Roa_Aoife Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Someday, I'll rule all of it. Posts: 1,696	If any one has read the Green Rider series, it has several items that are very Tolkien-ish. The word wight is even used, and it is obvious that author assumes that evryone is familiar with this term, just as we are with griffin or siren. __________________ We can't all be Roas* when it comes to analysing...* -Lommy I didn't say you're evil, Roa, I said you're exasperating. -Nerwen

05-19-2004, 10:06 AM	#6
Beanamir of Gondor Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: the Shadow Gallery Posts: 276	Not just Misty Mountain Hop, either, warrnerd. Lots of others. And has anyone ever read "The Sword of Shannara?" __________________ The answer to life is no longer 42. It's 4 8 15 16 23... 42. "I only lent you my body; you lent me your dream."

05-19-2004, 11:27 AM	#7
Lhundulinwen Wight Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wishin' and hopin' in the Shire Posts: 139	Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks is actually not that bad of a book, if you don't mind that most of the plot is a rip-off of LOTR. (Just my oppinion.) I believe I read somewhere on a forum, that he was comissioned by the publisher to write a LOTR type book, but then again I could have been dreaming. __________________ ~Just call on me, and I'm there. I'll always be your Sam~

04-18-2004, 02:04 PM	#3
tar-ancalime Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: abaft the beam Posts: 303	In Salman Rushdie's novel The Ground Beneath Her Feet, he quotes TOlkien as follows: Ash nazg durbatuluk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatuluk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul! I don't remember the exact context, and as I lent my copy of the book to a friend (and don't really expect to have it back) I can't look it up. It's a wonderful book, though: a modern reworking of the Orpheus myth.

04-18-2004, 11:07 PM	#5
Imladris Tears of the Phoenix Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Putting dimes in the jukebox baby. Posts: 1,453	Actually, I did come across the word "wight" in Sleepy Hollow or Rip Van Winkle, I believe, by Washington Irving. In fact, the definintion of wight is "a living being, a creature." At least I think it was one of those two...I do know the book preceded Tolkien. I haven't read the Green Rider series, so I don't know the context...