the Kalevala - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

07-12-2003, 12:29 AM

I am a LotR fan and part of what fascinates me most is how Tolkien created Middle-earth from studying famous epics and things like that.... yeah I don't really know what I'm talking about but has anyone read the Kalevala?

Everdawn · 07-12-2003, 01:51 AM

I have not read it, but i do know of it. I know that Tolkien's elvish language and ideas were found in the Kalevala, for instance, the idea of the ring. Which once belonged to The Shamen in the Kalevala, which also must be destroyed in order to restore peace.

Beren87 · 07-12-2003, 02:58 AM

I'm just beginning to read it myself, if anyone else would like the opportunity, here's a wonderful site where you'll find it and other texts.

[ July 12, 2003: Message edited by: Beren87 ]

dancing spawn of ungoliant · 07-12-2003, 03:13 AM

i have read the Kalevala (our national epic) and the Shaman called Väinämöinen is a great wizard like Gandalf. i don't remember reading about a mighty ring in the Kalevala, but Väinämöinen had a kantele( Finnish musical instrument, originally with 5 strings over a horizontal sounding board, plucked by hand) witch possessed great powers.
Tolkien's elvish's pronaunciation is almost straight from Finnish (and Latin as far as i know).
He also "took" some parts to his writings of Norwegian and other Scandinavian myths.

07-12-2003, 04:27 PM

dancing spawn of ungoliant ... you said "our national epic"... are you finnish?

dancing spawn of ungoliant · 07-13-2003, 03:32 AM

yep, i'm finnish, you got me! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
welcome to Downs, Ninya, enjoy being dead!!!

07-13-2003, 11:57 AM

whoa thats cool. i am too... well sort of haha

Elen Ilúvitauri · 07-14-2003, 01:35 AM

I have read the Kalevala, as part of World lit. Studies at school, i thought it was very enjoyable, i can see why Tolkien was drawn to it, next up I will have to force myself to read Beowulf.

Sindae · 08-05-2003, 06:22 PM

I have started the Kalevala and read the Icelandic Edda. Tolkien took very much from this book as well, for example the names of the dwarves. Some characters are very similar as well, e.g. Odin and Ilúvatar.

07-12-2003, 12:29 AM	#1
Meldawen Guest Posts: n/a	the Kalevala I am a LotR fan and part of what fascinates me most is how Tolkien created Middle-earth from studying famous epics and things like that.... yeah I don't really know what I'm talking about but has anyone read the Kalevala?

07-12-2003, 01:51 AM	#2
Everdawn Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: On the sand dunes outside of Ilium, watching it burn. Posts: 1,291	I have not read it, but i do know of it. I know that Tolkien's elvish language and ideas were found in the Kalevala, for instance, the idea of the ring. Which once belonged to The Shamen in the Kalevala, which also must be destroyed in order to restore peace. __________________ "Athena, stepping up behind him, visible to no one but Achillies, gripped his red-gold hair. Startled he made a half turn, and he knew her upon the instant for Athena." ~The Iliad~ ~My lord, Éomer~

07-12-2003, 03:13 AM	#4
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: 1,237	i have read the Kalevala (our national epic) and the Shaman called Väinämöinen is a great wizard like Gandalf. i don't remember reading about a mighty ring in the Kalevala, but Väinämöinen had a kantele( Finnish musical instrument, originally with 5 strings over a horizontal sounding board, plucked by hand) witch possessed great powers. Tolkien's elvish's pronaunciation is almost straight from Finnish (and Latin as far as i know). He also "took" some parts to his writings of Norwegian and other Scandinavian myths. __________________ Fenris Wolf

07-13-2003, 03:32 AM	#6
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: 1,237	yep, i'm finnish, you got me! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] welcome to Downs, Ninya, enjoy being dead!!! __________________ Fenris Wolf

07-14-2003, 01:35 AM	#8
Elen Ilúvitauri Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The unseen side of the mirror Posts: 20	I have read the Kalevala, as part of World lit. Studies at school, i thought it was very enjoyable, i can see why Tolkien was drawn to it, next up I will have to force myself to read Beowulf. __________________ "NO, its nothing Tommy, its just that im not sure about the colour." - Turkish. Tommy, SNATCH'S answer to Pippin.

07-12-2003, 02:58 AM	#3
Beren87 Master of the Secret Fire Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Between fire and ice, death and life Posts: 2,260	I'm just beginning to read it myself, if anyone else would like the opportunity, here's a wonderful site where you'll find it and other texts. [ July 12, 2003: Message edited by: Beren87 ]

07-12-2003, 04:27 PM	#5
Ninya Guest Posts: n/a	dancing spawn of ungoliant ... you said "our national epic"... are you finnish?

07-13-2003, 11:57 AM	#7
Ninya Guest Posts: n/a	whoa thats cool. i am too... well sort of haha

08-05-2003, 06:22 PM	#9
Sindae Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: a messy room in the world's best city Posts: 95	I have started the Kalevala and read the Icelandic Edda. Tolkien took very much from this book as well, for example the names of the dwarves. Some characters are very similar as well, e.g. Odin and Ilúvatar. __________________ My page about Iceland