Finished the Silmarillion, things still bother me though. - Page 2 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Gorwingel · 06-09-2003, 08:36 PM

I just have a quick question that maybe one of the B-D elders can answer. It is related.

About how many times do you need to read the Silmarillion until you are educated enough in it to make wonderful responses like many of the people here? I have only read it through once like Helka, so you can definitely tell that I am not totally educated in it. All I need is a number, just a simple response.

I found that while reading the book that the actually reading level was not completely diffcult, but that the vastness of the novel was just hard to grasp for me.

**The Saucepan Man** · 06-09-2003, 08:46 PM

I have only read the Silmarillion once, quite recently. But I find my understanding of it has been supplemented greatly by reading the threads on this forum. Also, reading the Unfinished Tales helps, since it expands on a number of the tales told in the Silmarillion, the Narn I Hin Hurin especially.

Yavanna228 · 06-10-2003, 06:59 AM

I quite agree with Saucepan Man. Reading these threads can greatly further your understanding of what you read in the Silm because they bring out more obscure things that normally would have taken you awhile to find and develop on your own. I for one am very grateful to the intelligent people who help to bring the good threads about. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] You have saved me from many agonising hours of brain-racking.
Peace

Helkahothion · 06-10-2003, 01:16 PM

I second Saucepan on that. I understood everything I read. It's just the many names that confused me. But once I buy teh book itself, I can study the family trees more carefully.

I have not been able to get UT in Holland. They don't even have them at the book store. I had to dig up the sill in th local library. Bless those people, they are one of the few dutch that have Tolkien's works. I don't want to turn this into a Dutch conversation since people got that idea so I'll just ask this, how did you manage to get ut?

Suilad,

Anuion

Gorwingel · 06-10-2003, 01:24 PM

Okay, I will try to read the book threads. During the entire time I have posted here on the B-D's I have mainly advoided the books forum just because whenever I posted my opinion always seemed incorrect.

Thank you everyone [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Helkahothion · 06-10-2003, 01:32 PM

Yeah I know that feeling Gorwingel. I felt to ignorant and had not but the slightest hunge of a clue what everyone was talking about. I tried a few threads but I was always redirected to the novices and newcomers section.

I felt so stupid. Then I read lotr. And I hardly ever go to the movie forum anymore. Maybe after Rotk. But not sure. The thing is, that if you read the books, you finaly feel like a real downer. That was my opinion anyway. Someone who has not read Tolkien can of course go to the books, it is free to anyone. But if you only say: Wow did not know that, or : is Tom really a Maya, what is a Maya they sound cool? it can get really annoying in my opinion. And I urge to say: My opinion.

But the Silmarillion was indeed an enlightment.

Suilad,

Anuion

Gorwingel · 06-10-2003, 01:37 PM

I have read the books, LOTR three times, the hobbit once and the Sil once.

Can anyone answer the question of how old Galadriel really is? After reading the Sil she seems so old.

Helkahothion · 06-10-2003, 01:41 PM

About 8 or 9000 is my guess. She was born before the banning and that as a while ago. But of course, that can just be me talking nonsence again [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

But she is indeed past the 4000 beyond any doubt.

Suilad,

Anuion

Sapphire_Flame · 06-10-2003, 02:18 PM

Definately older than 4000, Helka. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] Just going by what I read in the Silm, she was born in the first half of the First Age; the Third Age was 3021 years, and the Second Age was 3441 years. And if (and this is my opinion) the First Age was the longest of the three, that would make Galadriel approximately 8500-9000 years old.

Nice guess there, Helka; your nonsense was correct! *gives Helka a medal*

Mahal · 06-10-2003, 02:25 PM

Hey Helka if you want the Unfinished Tales in Dutch you can get it at Bol. I bought it there also.If you want the English version I suppose they have it there also.

Eruanna · 06-10-2003, 02:32 PM

Galadriel was born during the Age of the Trees, in a time before Fëanor made the Silmarils or the Noldor rebelled against the Valar. I would say you are about right at 9,000 or so years.
The second time I read The Silm, I had a pencil and paper nearby so that I could jot down any bits I needed to clarify; especially the family trees and such.
And I have also been grateful to the Books section here. Many times I have had a thought or a query and these have always been solved by a quick search.....the variety and depth of discussion here is amazing.

Voronwe · 06-10-2003, 02:38 PM

Galadriel was not born in the first age; she was born in Valinor during the Years of the Trees. According to the Annals of Aman Finarfin and Earwen were wedded in 1280 (years of the tress). The Silmarils were made in 1450, so I would place the birth of Galadriel at about 1350. Using the conversion factor of 9.582 solar years = 1 year of the trees, and given that the first age began in 1500, Galadriel would be 8400-8500 years old at the end of the third age.

So, good guess.

Helkahothion · 06-11-2003, 06:19 AM

Gosh thanks. Having read the book, I finaly have stopped with the nonesence. I guess. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

06-09-2003, 08:36 PM	#41
Gorwingel Beholder of the Mists Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Somewhere in the Northwest... for now Posts: 1,430	I just have a quick question that maybe one of the B-D elders can answer. It is related. About how many times do you need to read the Silmarillion until you are educated enough in it to make wonderful responses like many of the people here? I have only read it through once like Helka, so you can definitely tell that I am not totally educated in it. All I need is a number, just a simple response. I found that while reading the book that the actually reading level was not completely diffcult, but that the vastness of the novel was just hard to grasp for me. __________________ Wanted - Wonderfully witty quote that consists of pure brilliance

06-09-2003, 08:46 PM	#42
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,436	I have only read the Silmarillion once, quite recently. But I find my understanding of it has been supplemented greatly by reading the threads on this forum. Also, reading the Unfinished Tales helps, since it expands on a number of the tales told in the Silmarillion, the Narn I Hin Hurin especially. __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!

06-10-2003, 06:59 AM	#43
Yavanna228 Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2003 Location: on the wings of the morning Posts: 394	I quite agree with Saucepan Man. Reading these threads can greatly further your understanding of what you read in the Silm because they bring out more obscure things that normally would have taken you awhile to find and develop on your own. I for one am very grateful to the intelligent people who help to bring the good threads about. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] You have saved me from many agonising hours of brain-racking. Peace __________________ 'Dulaman na Binne Bui, Dulaman Gaelach/ Dulaman na farraige, 's e b'fhearr a bhi in Eirinn!'

06-10-2003, 01:24 PM	#45
Gorwingel Beholder of the Mists Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Somewhere in the Northwest... for now Posts: 1,430	Okay, I will try to read the book threads. During the entire time I have posted here on the B-D's I have mainly advoided the books forum just because whenever I posted my opinion always seemed incorrect. Thank you everyone [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] __________________ Wanted - Wonderfully witty quote that consists of pure brilliance

06-10-2003, 01:37 PM	#47
Gorwingel Beholder of the Mists Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Somewhere in the Northwest... for now Posts: 1,430	I have read the books, LOTR three times, the hobbit once and the Sil once. Can anyone answer the question of how old Galadriel really is? After reading the Sil she seems so old. __________________ Wanted - Wonderfully witty quote that consists of pure brilliance

06-10-2003, 01:16 PM	#44
Helkahothion Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The inside of Legolas' lungs Posts: 1,038	I second Saucepan on that. I understood everything I read. It's just the many names that confused me. But once I buy teh book itself, I can study the family trees more carefully. I have not been able to get UT in Holland. They don't even have them at the book store. I had to dig up the sill in th local library. Bless those people, they are one of the few dutch that have Tolkien's works. I don't want to turn this into a Dutch conversation since people got that idea so I'll just ask this, how did you manage to get ut? Suilad, Anuion

06-10-2003, 01:32 PM	#46
Helkahothion Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The inside of Legolas' lungs Posts: 1,038	Yeah I know that feeling Gorwingel. I felt to ignorant and had not but the slightest hunge of a clue what everyone was talking about. I tried a few threads but I was always redirected to the novices and newcomers section. I felt so stupid. Then I read lotr. And I hardly ever go to the movie forum anymore. Maybe after Rotk. But not sure. The thing is, that if you read the books, you finaly feel like a real downer. That was my opinion anyway. Someone who has not read Tolkien can of course go to the books, it is free to anyone. But if you only say: Wow did not know that, or : is Tom really a Maya, what is a Maya they sound cool? it can get really annoying in my opinion. And I urge to say: My opinion. But the Silmarillion was indeed an enlightment. Suilad, Anuion

06-10-2003, 01:41 PM	#48
Helkahothion Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The inside of Legolas' lungs Posts: 1,038	About 8 or 9000 is my guess. She was born before the banning and that as a while ago. But of course, that can just be me talking nonsence again [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] But she is indeed past the 4000 beyond any doubt. Suilad, Anuion

06-10-2003, 02:18 PM	#49
Sapphire_Flame Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: The World That Never Was Posts: 1,246	Definately older than 4000, Helka. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] Just going by what I read in the Silm, she was born in the first half of the First Age; the Third Age was 3021 years, and the Second Age was 3441 years. And if (and this is my opinion) the First Age was the longest of the three, that would make Galadriel approximately 8500-9000 years old. Nice guess there, Helka; your nonsense was correct! gives Helka a medal __________________ The Hitchhiking Ghost

06-10-2003, 02:25 PM	#50
Mahal Haunting Spirit Join Date: May 2003 Location: Paradox Realm Posts: 66	Hey Helka if you want the Unfinished Tales in Dutch you can get it at Bol. I bought it there also.If you want the English version I suppose they have it there also. __________________ *A new technology does not add or substract something. It changes everything.*

06-10-2003, 02:32 PM	#51
Eruanna Memento Mori Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Past The Point Of No Return Posts: 1,118	Galadriel was born during the Age of the Trees, in a time before Fëanor made the Silmarils or the Noldor rebelled against the Valar. I would say you are about right at 9,000 or so years. The second time I read The Silm, I had a pencil and paper nearby so that I could jot down any bits I needed to clarify; especially the family trees and such. And I have also been grateful to the Books section here. Many times I have had a thought or a query and these have always been solved by a quick search.....the variety and depth of discussion here is amazing. __________________ "Remember, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies."

06-10-2003, 02:38 PM	#52
Voronwe Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Gondolin Posts: 413	Galadriel was not born in the first age; she was born in Valinor during the Years of the Trees. According to the Annals of Aman Finarfin and Earwen were wedded in 1280 (years of the tress). The Silmarils were made in 1450, so I would place the birth of Galadriel at about 1350. Using the conversion factor of 9.582 solar years = 1 year of the trees, and given that the first age began in 1500, Galadriel would be 8400-8500 years old at the end of the third age. So, good guess. __________________ "If you would be a real seeker after truth, you must at least once in your life doubt, as far as possible, all things." -- René Descartes

06-11-2003, 06:19 AM	#53
Helkahothion Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The inside of Legolas' lungs Posts: 1,038	Gosh thanks. Having read the book, I finaly have stopped with the nonesence. I guess. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]