@RulerL0rd You know what though, look on YT for some audio of him reading excerpts from books and he sounds just fine. I don't know why he's so rushed here.
@gmdinformation Hmm. Maybe it's just because of the video, being so old and all. Who knows. He's surely is speaking in an indistinct manner. But, maybe the video is making it even worse.
@RulerL0rd I actually wonder if he might have been on some kind of medication for an ailment during this interview. After all, he was pretty old by then and probably suffered from one thing or another. Old age might have had something to do with his slurred speech as well. I believe that the audio of him reading that you'll find at other channels was recorded when he was a bit younger, so I think age is a definate factor.
@gmdinformation In an other video i've seen him talking, he was talking the exact same way. Can you point me to the videos you're talking about? Maybe, just send me a message.
Tolien was always notorious for speaking quickly and indistinctly. So I'm afraid it comes from being very clever and having too much going on in the mind to bother with communication rather than any medication!
@gmdinformation Sometimes people sound different when they read. Tolkien usually spoke indistinctly, but probably less so when he was reading off a page of text he knew well and being recorded doing it.
@RulerL0rd Tolkien was known for his slurred speech. He had no speech impediment (he could recite perfectly), but his voice couldn't follow his fast and constantly changing thoughts.
@RulerL0rd It's quite commonly known that the Professor did slur and mumble a great deal when speaking. There's a reason he was a writer, not a politician. :)
Jesus saves from the guilt of sin by faith in his shed blood. That is why he came to earth, to die on the cross for our sins so we could go to heaven through faith in his blood. Repent of your sins and ask Jesus to come into your heart. Once you are saved from your sins, you are saved forever. Faith in Jesus is the only way to heaven. If you die in your sins you will burn in Hell and the Lake of Fire for all eternity. God bless.
This man has made a world through the years of his life.I'm very happy that i have lived between these years to read his masterpiece and watch after that the incredible movie.
Many people commented that he would speak in a rushed and indistinct manner which was very difficult to follow. Moreover he speaks in a highly-"correct" version of British English generally known as "talking posh" which is not heard very often nowadays.
just shows history can be made in unexpected ways. just that one sentence `in a hole in the ground they lived a hobbit` started one of if not the greatest tale of modern days
The greatist irony of the writer is that out brains go faster than our hands and mouths, so here Tolkien has the Silmarillion in his head but to actually say it verbally takes an effort since he has to slow down his thoughts to match his speech. It's why our handwriting and spelling can be so dismal.
@rhcp4565 Are you saying that Tolkien existed in another dimension and has the ability to dabble with quantum mechanics and space-time? Just when I though this man couldn't get any cooler... :)
@rhcp4565 in the original versions of the quenta,it began when a mariner got lost at sea and ended up in tol eressea and was told these tales by the elves that lived there...
An amazing man, with an incredible legacy. Poet, historian, philosopher, artist, linguist, folklorist, and (perhaps most importantly) the man who gave the world hobbits! :)
I noticed this video was playing from a dvd/casette. Do you remember where you bought it? I'm looking for a dvd or something of that nature with tolkien interviews and videos
This man is an inspiration to what I represent and I'm proud to speak elvish and write poetry and music based on this. Some say it's taking it too far, but can it be any farther than thinking up you own language and world such as this great man did.
Forever I will honour my Tolkien tattoo and proudly say that his work influenced me.
Tolkein speaks far to quickly and does not enunciate his words in a precise fashion.
This is often a failing with the academically minded. He is speaking native English I can assure you. It must be very irritating for those who wish to hear his comments
but find it difficult to follow as English is not their first language.
I always have trouble understanding English accents like Tolkien's. I can, sort of, understand some of the words, but the rest I have to guess at. Despite the fact, I love listening to him. haha
man i am spanish speaker i cant understand wath this great man is saying does somebody knows an internet place i which there are th texts of this interview
nobody creates in a vaccum. He was not ashamed that he rooted his stories in traditions that he had studied academically.He was a philologist by profession. What he was doing in the ring was more subtle than imitating icelandic tales. He was trying to find traditions and languages that might have existed had the world been different. Languages affect each other after all and he was looking to make languages that best expressed his mythology. He wanted pleasant sounds that suited his cultures.
I mean vacuum of course. But since I'm adding this correction I may as well say more. His influences were many both concsciously and unconsciously. The Black Arrow, Richard Wagner, His WW I experience, his language work, Beowolf, catholicism, (middle earth means mediterranean), his garden, his kids. But if you want to create, do not FEAR basing your creations on anything in your experience. It is not what goes into you, its what comes out of you that is your creation. Added value.
@bosszeroboss LOL You're the one that may harbor the questionable mental well being to actually ask such a question and derive an answer from a Youtuber?!? LOL
Thank you Mr Tolkien. you have provided humanity with a work more imaginative, entertaining, and inspiring than any other one human in the history of our kind. if i didn't have LOTR in my life i'd be missing out BIG TIME.
you can barely make out what hes saying or even talking about,hes in a complete world of his own,THAT,is the sign of genius his brain operates at 10 times the capacity of ours
@colashanacogh, yes, Eru Iluvatar, he doesn't figure much in LoTR though
@ tscotty32, he didn't make up elves, dwarves, or men (obviously), he just used those things which were already there and used them. LoTR is only a part of the long and proud tradition of Norse and English literature. It is a throwback to the ancient bardic/skaldic tales whose style he copied as well. Most people don't know that though.
@peacecanhappen27 Personally, I'm not a big Tolkien fan, but he did invent hobbits and a few other creatures. He also invented his own language among other things. So, while he did borrow from bygone days, he also was very original in certain ways.
@gmdinformation, yes, I didn't mean to say that he wasn't very original in many many ways, I was saying that some ppl give him credit for things he didn't make up. That's all.
@bookercreator actually no Robert E Howard wrote Kull of Atlantis in 1929 and Conan the Barbarian in the early 1930s, Tolkien wrote the Hobbit in 1937. Howards fantasy land of Hyboria was never influenced by tolkien or his books.
@colashanacogh Middle-Earth had gods, yes. Read Joseph Pearce's book on Tolkien to learn about the Catholic influence it had on the creation of middle Earth (Tolkien was a Catholic)
Its amazing how many thousands of variations of books & stories of today are based off of his mind & stories. Elves, dwarves, hobbits, and so on.. the fantasy books out there today do not stray very far from these basic elements of creatures and characters. As if nothing else can be invinted or thought up for the concept of fantasy...
@voryn hmmm i didn't know that but I guess he is the father of the first style of fantasy books containing these beings. And it just seems to me that most all fantasy books follow his style of writing is what I meant to say. Its like he's the father of the first ever fantasy style writing.
@tscotty32 Your comment was made a year ago, but Tolkien didn't create elves, dwarves, and possibly not hobbits. These came from folklore. What he did was create his own tale using these characters and you're right a lot of fantasy writers are inspired by him. He is amazing.
@scatmanwfm He did it for his own amusement. He began the Silmarillion during first world war. While on the battlefield he began to think out the first stories.
He definitely was not lonely. Actually, the entire elvish society is inspired by his wife, Edith.
Dwarves not the children of God - hmmm.... Fascinating! I am a great fan of Tolkien, have been since 4 years old. It is fascinating to wonder how Dwarves may fit into the Big Picture. Any comments on this?
Why do I feel he was shy? I read he was recluse somewhere and hated his popularity in the media. but i see the shyness. ... In the 60's many musical bands have sang about motives included in Tolkien's book. Rowling who wrote Harry Potter took MANY many motives from other fairy tales authors and also from LOTR... Always nice to see the author talking. Tnx for vid! :)
@ladydawn1973Eternity I do not know if he was shy or not, but that he hated his popularity in the media I think it's because he was wise and authentic. So are his works, too. Their true meaning being distorted by all those reporters and misunderstood by most people, even (and maybe most) by those who adored them... Well, that's how I see it.
I feel, therefore that Tolkiens final/ultimate message is not one of war or peace or protestatism or catholism; but one of hope. Of ever forgivness, ever hope and good. Which is christan, is it not?
In one of his letters (I can't remember which right now) he says that the most important point in the whole Lord of the Rings, is when Smeagol/Golloum sits alone keeping watch. In the novel, Sam wakes and speaks "harsly" to Smeagol..."Why are you spying...". But Tolkien felt, that had Sam spoken kindly to Smeagol at that time, even his soul might have been saved.
I'll disreguard lamlyn's comments as they are pointless and in some cases plain stupid. But to return to whether Tolkien's works are protestant or catholic, I think they are mostly CHRISTIAN.
earendil means love of seas. and tolkien did not direct his influence of religion in his wrighting directley to the charecters in the books but more of the ideas witch are unraveled in the silmarillion witch i do not dought you read.
"Hail Earendel, brightest of angels, sent over Middle-earth to men."
which can be taken as the inspiration not only for the role of Eärendil in Tolkien's work, but also for the term Middle-earth (translating Middangeard) for the inhabitable lands"
There are several pagan elements in Tolkien works, in the same way as there is an influence of Greek philosphical terminology in Nicea's Faith Symbolum.
And it is FORTUNATELY so.
Valars, for example, are an unique and successful mix of nature forces, pagan gods and christian angels.
Perhaps Tolkien desired a good mythology for England (not for the UK, GB of CommWealth of course) but finally WHAT he created (sub-created) was a mythology for the Catholic Church. And I am VERY PROUD of it
Tolkien was a devout Catholic, and that no doubt influenced him and his work. But he was also a scholar of Old English, and Medieval literature, and though he may not have literally believed in old gods, they, too, influenced him. In the end, Tolkien wasn't trying to create Christian propoganda, or to shove a dogma down our throats, but rather, he was trying to tell a good story, and deeper, to create a mythology for England.
well put. i'm an atheist, but i get so much out of these books. the god in tolkien's books is real, with more evidence for his existence than yahweh or allah. Therefore it is not a religious novel even if you want to argue that there is a god in it. This god exists, our god in reality, is a fictional character who has caused billions to die and corrupted the human species. sorry, rant over. all i'm saying is that religion should need to factor into tolkien's published works.
"The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision. That is why I have not put in, or have cut out, practically all references to anything like 'religion', to cults or practices, in the imaginary world. For the religious element is absorbed into the story and the symbolism." - J.R.R. Tolkien
Did all of you LOTR worshippers know that the fantasy trilogy The Magic Ring was written by Motte-Fouque 80 years prior? He just added more material to Motte-Fouque's trilogy and called it his own. I don't call that very creative at all....
Tolkien based it on the Icelandic Sagas and Norse Myth's and all sorts of Northern european texts, and Wagner's Ring saga was also prior to Tolkien. but this doesn't mean anything less of The Lord Of The Rings in my opinion.
As I posted on a different video (where you also posted a similar comment), neither Tolkien nor anyone else has a monopoly on fantasy stories involving magic rings. And as I also said elsewhere, most forgotten works are forgotten for a reason. If Motte-Fouque's trilogy was worthy of being remembered as Tolkien's works are, it would be. But it isn't. Being first does not automatically mean being better. Not that Motte-Fouque was first, either, for that matter.
You're absolutely right. If Motte-Fouque's tale was worth anything it would be very popular now, but it didn't stand to the waves of time or just wasn't very interesting at all. *nod*
And you've never read the Magic Ring or else you would know the difference between Tolkiens whole mythology (including the Silmarillion) and this.
The Magic ring is itself based on Icelandic/Germanic tales of old, Tolkien was a major student of Icelandic and never refuted his ring trilogy was inspired somewhat by these tales. Dont be so keen to debunk greatness just because you feel it may earn you some pedantic brownie points - it wont. At least know what you're talking about.
Bollocks. He was a Catholic man of faith yes- but not everyone feels the need to ram religion down our throats. Not once in 30 years have I read anywhere that Tolkien said he wrote his books in service of Jesus Christ. Any kind of allegory was obviously abhorrent to him (becuase he said that several times) so do a bit of homework instead of talking out of your biased hole.
This is utterly genius on so many levels...The man has created thousands of years worth of history, lore, languages, dogma. The list goes on. His sociological observations, hopes and dreams, desires, fears. All manifested through these giant works of literary art.
Lovecraft is not a hack, compared to Tolkien or anyone! What a strange insult. Their styles were completely different. HP's atheism was not a limiter on his works at all! Tolkien himself wrote a creation myth that, on the face of it, would be sacriligeous. And why pick on poor HP as a comparator? Why not any of the hundreds of GENUINE hacks who have basically ripped off Tolkien to this day? All that nearly indentical swords and dragons rubbish that contain none of JRR's beauty and elegance?
Tolkien's voice sounds incredibly rough and ready - splendidly down-to-earth!
He sounds much less of a nerd or typical scholar than one might imagine. A tough old dude, and not exactly mealy-mouthed, judging by his non-fiction and appreciation of e.g. Chesterton!
thanks for this interview - this man, though I've never seen moving pictures of him until now, affected my young life greatly.
His books first (and his bio) got me interested in scholarship... I went on to study linguistics and now teach.
I must admit the films and my age have detracted someone from the old feelings of love I once had from the stories of Tolkien, but I still owe a lot to him for shaping my young mind 20+ years ago.
In answer to those who are wondering if he actually spoke like this or if the sound it just odd:
I've been reading a biography of Tolkien recently, and apparently he did have a habit of mumbling, as well as talking too quickly for people to follow. Apparently, this was common among academics at the time.
Obviously, this doesn't mean he was a bad person. It just means he was a bit of a nerd, as are most quirky and intelligent people.
Although Tolkien is popular, not too many people really appreciate the true genius of his writings. He is one of my favorite authors, along with H.P. Lovecraft. Sad to know most people are only fans of Lord of the Rings because of the movies :(
redpoet7, I agree, Lovecraft (in both intent and writing) is a hack when compared to Tolkien. You must remember however, that Lovecraft's worldview would've made it impossible for him to depart from anything other then what he was or wrote. Tolkien was a Christian. Lovecraft decidedly was not. His mindset and outlook would only serve for the chilling (and nightmarish) narratives (and it was almost all narrative)centering around tombs and ruins. His is the mindset of the solitary morbid hero.
Whenever I hear someone mention the name Tolkien, they almost always start talking about Frodo and the Rings, and don't mention anything whatsoever of Fëanor, the Silmarils, Beren and Lúthien or Eärendil, which is very sad.
yeah i agree with you. to be honest, i think that the silmarillion and the story of the elder days are better than the lord of the rings. even though i love the lord of the rings.
English is not my mother language(I did learn it from very small and speak it quite fluently, but it's not the same since it's not my everyday language), and for if it wasnt enough, I hardly ever listen to British accent, so I only understood about 20 words =-C
Any man who can create a world we can believe existed at one time is a genius. He invented the elven language.
jlarsena 1 month ago
Clearly Tolkien didn't create elves or dwarves but he did Create hobbits
matthewslimbu 3 months ago
the greatest fatasy writer i think...
petegeorge94 5 months ago
Wasnt he a Christian?
camthejock 5 months ago
@camthejock Yes, a Roman-Catholic.
Feanorielle 5 months ago in playlist J.R.R.Tolkien Interviews & Audiotapes
What i don't understand is his voice.He speaks so indistinctly. I can't believe it.
RulerL0rd 6 months ago
@RulerL0rd You know what though, look on YT for some audio of him reading excerpts from books and he sounds just fine. I don't know why he's so rushed here.
gmdinformation 6 months ago
@gmdinformation Hmm. Maybe it's just because of the video, being so old and all. Who knows. He's surely is speaking in an indistinct manner. But, maybe the video is making it even worse.
RulerL0rd 6 months ago
@RulerL0rd I actually wonder if he might have been on some kind of medication for an ailment during this interview. After all, he was pretty old by then and probably suffered from one thing or another. Old age might have had something to do with his slurred speech as well. I believe that the audio of him reading that you'll find at other channels was recorded when he was a bit younger, so I think age is a definate factor.
gmdinformation 6 months ago
@gmdinformation In an other video i've seen him talking, he was talking the exact same way. Can you point me to the videos you're talking about? Maybe, just send me a message.
RulerL0rd 5 months ago
@RulerL0rd Just put the following in YT's search box:
J.R.R. Tolkien reads The Eagle's Song
or
J.R.R. Tolkien reads The Song of Durin
gmdinformation 5 months ago
@gmdinformation
Tolien was always notorious for speaking quickly and indistinctly. So I'm afraid it comes from being very clever and having too much going on in the mind to bother with communication rather than any medication!
scibby2 3 months ago
@gmdinformation
Why did he support Franco?
MrReco12 1 month ago
@gmdinformation Sometimes people sound different when they read. Tolkien usually spoke indistinctly, but probably less so when he was reading off a page of text he knew well and being recorded doing it.
TowerPrinces1483 1 month ago
@RulerL0rd Tolkien was known for his slurred speech. He had no speech impediment (he could recite perfectly), but his voice couldn't follow his fast and constantly changing thoughts.
bestman444 5 months ago
@RulerL0rd It's quite commonly known that the Professor did slur and mumble a great deal when speaking. There's a reason he was a writer, not a politician. :)
MojoRisinist 3 weeks ago
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Jesus saves from the guilt of sin by faith in his shed blood. That is why he came to earth, to die on the cross for our sins so we could go to heaven through faith in his blood. Repent of your sins and ask Jesus to come into your heart. Once you are saved from your sins, you are saved forever. Faith in Jesus is the only way to heaven. If you die in your sins you will burn in Hell and the Lake of Fire for all eternity. God bless.
joshua4469 6 months ago
Is that Dame Judi Dench at the end? Aka "M" from the Bond??
finnyliverpool89 6 months ago
@finnyliverpool89 Yes.
gmdinformation 6 months ago
This man has made a world through the years of his life.I'm very happy that i have lived between these years to read his masterpiece and watch after that the incredible movie.
yo4never 6 months ago
An amazing man with a mind like clock-work. If only he could have spoken a little slower. But still the words I did pick up resinated with me.
GodHammer227 7 months ago
oh shit, I can't understand him a thing. :(
juresaiyan 7 months ago
Dude has things going on in his brain, big time.
BigIdeaSeeker 7 months ago
Tolkien IS fantasy. He basically re-invented it, then mastered it, and now he is the god of it.
urpaderpa 8 months ago
I wonder how the student feels whose exam paper was the original canvas of The Hobbit.
LeoJMcP 10 months ago
Many people commented that he would speak in a rushed and indistinct manner which was very difficult to follow. Moreover he speaks in a highly-"correct" version of British English generally known as "talking posh" which is not heard very often nowadays.
belisariusorb 1 year ago
just shows history can be made in unexpected ways. just that one sentence `in a hole in the ground they lived a hobbit` started one of if not the greatest tale of modern days
Mstarr345 1 year ago
The greatist irony of the writer is that out brains go faster than our hands and mouths, so here Tolkien has the Silmarillion in his head but to actually say it verbally takes an effort since he has to slow down his thoughts to match his speech. It's why our handwriting and spelling can be so dismal.
Jeroic9 1 year ago
@whereeaglesdontdare
Since he was a writer talking about his own writing, naturally he would be both serious and excited.
Jeroic9 1 year ago
imagine how much that old exam paper would be worth now
mkeysou812 1 year ago
Is it me, or does it seem like he actually believes his books are true?
ChairmanBlimp 1 year ago
@ChairmanBlimp i was thinking that just now!!!! ITS SO COOL!
edualym 1 year ago
its like he lived this life in a parallel universe, and he has brought this knowledge to our universe
rhcp4565 1 year ago
@rhcp4565 Are you saying that Tolkien existed in another dimension and has the ability to dabble with quantum mechanics and space-time? Just when I though this man couldn't get any cooler... :)
ConicalFlask 1 year ago
@rhcp4565 in the original versions of the quenta,it began when a mariner got lost at sea and ended up in tol eressea and was told these tales by the elves that lived there...
cloak002 1 year ago
An amazing man, with an incredible legacy. Poet, historian, philosopher, artist, linguist, folklorist, and (perhaps most importantly) the man who gave the world hobbits! :)
Livvy24601 1 year ago
@Livvy24601 You say that now, but wait till you get a few drinks down a hobbit.
gmdinformation 1 year ago
@whereeaglesdontdare Right, like the American Constitution :)
AndrewzDescent 1 year ago
Tolkien at first is talking about the origins of Elves and the story of the Silmarillion.
bb1111116 1 year ago
he's a brilliant writer but not a good speaker
followernumber1 1 year ago
I noticed this video was playing from a dvd/casette. Do you remember where you bought it? I'm looking for a dvd or something of that nature with tolkien interviews and videos
Thanks
BertChabot 1 year ago
@BertChabot It's from a DVD on Tolkien that came out in 1992. "J.R.R.T.: a study of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien".
sthugh 1 year ago
This man is an inspiration to what I represent and I'm proud to speak elvish and write poetry and music based on this. Some say it's taking it too far, but can it be any farther than thinking up you own language and world such as this great man did.
Forever I will honour my Tolkien tattoo and proudly say that his work influenced me.
Hail JRR\m|
NecroLust1349 1 year ago
I'm English and it's pretty hard for ME to understand him tbh, nevertheless his books are incredibly detailed and imaginative.
lampard554 1 year ago
Tolkein speaks far to quickly and does not enunciate his words in a precise fashion.
This is often a failing with the academically minded. He is speaking native English I can assure you. It must be very irritating for those who wish to hear his comments
but find it difficult to follow as English is not their first language.
emperorsdragon 1 year ago
I always have trouble understanding English accents like Tolkien's. I can, sort of, understand some of the words, but the rest I have to guess at. Despite the fact, I love listening to him. haha
NarnianOfTheShire18 1 year ago
man i am spanish speaker i cant understand wath this great man is saying does somebody knows an internet place i which there are th texts of this interview
GenGeogeSPatton 1 year ago
nobody creates in a vaccum. He was not ashamed that he rooted his stories in traditions that he had studied academically.He was a philologist by profession. What he was doing in the ring was more subtle than imitating icelandic tales. He was trying to find traditions and languages that might have existed had the world been different. Languages affect each other after all and he was looking to make languages that best expressed his mythology. He wanted pleasant sounds that suited his cultures.
athenianboy 1 year ago
@athenianboy
I mean vacuum of course. But since I'm adding this correction I may as well say more. His influences were many both concsciously and unconsciously. The Black Arrow, Richard Wagner, His WW I experience, his language work, Beowolf, catholicism, (middle earth means mediterranean), his garden, his kids. But if you want to create, do not FEAR basing your creations on anything in your experience. It is not what goes into you, its what comes out of you that is your creation. Added value.
athenianboy 1 year ago
Is it true Tolkien was "mentally ill"?
I've always heard that, and this seems to be proof, but I generally give the benefit of the doubt to the abnormal.
bosszeroboss 1 year ago
@bosszeroboss LOL You're the one that may harbor the questionable mental well being to actually ask such a question and derive an answer from a Youtuber?!? LOL
Khultan 1 year ago
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@bosszeroboss Troll, Fuck off.
bri4u2906 1 year ago
GENIUS! he was so underestimated
DilutedWeenis 1 year ago
Here he is, I've finally heard words spoken from the mouth of the true master of fantasy literature!
SLPIFan 1 year ago
Did Tolkien ever learn to speak English?
bosszeroboss 1 year ago
Thank you Mr Tolkien. you have provided humanity with a work more imaginative, entertaining, and inspiring than any other one human in the history of our kind. if i didn't have LOTR in my life i'd be missing out BIG TIME.
FAILbotFTW 1 year ago
you can barely make out what hes saying or even talking about,hes in a complete world of his own,THAT,is the sign of genius his brain operates at 10 times the capacity of ours
VigisKane 1 year ago
@colashanacogh, yes, Eru Iluvatar, he doesn't figure much in LoTR though
@ tscotty32, he didn't make up elves, dwarves, or men (obviously), he just used those things which were already there and used them. LoTR is only a part of the long and proud tradition of Norse and English literature. It is a throwback to the ancient bardic/skaldic tales whose style he copied as well. Most people don't know that though.
@wannabedesi, lol!
peacecanhappen27 1 year ago
@peacecanhappen27 Personally, I'm not a big Tolkien fan, but he did invent hobbits and a few other creatures. He also invented his own language among other things. So, while he did borrow from bygone days, he also was very original in certain ways.
gmdinformation 1 year ago
@gmdinformation, yes, I didn't mean to say that he wasn't very original in many many ways, I was saying that some ppl give him credit for things he didn't make up. That's all.
peacecanhappen27 1 year ago
@gmdinformation and literally... and i mean LITERALLY every fantasy game and novel copies Tolkien
bookercreator 8 months ago
@bookercreator actually no Robert E Howard wrote Kull of Atlantis in 1929 and Conan the Barbarian in the early 1930s, Tolkien wrote the Hobbit in 1937. Howards fantasy land of Hyboria was never influenced by tolkien or his books.
seonidh 7 months ago
did he say god? theres a god in middle earth??
colashanacogh 1 year ago
@colashanacogh there are 3 gods i believe in middle earth. the first 2 are good and evil, and the 3rd is the high god
lajorn 1 year ago
@colashanacogh Middle-Earth had gods, yes. Read Joseph Pearce's book on Tolkien to learn about the Catholic influence it had on the creation of middle Earth (Tolkien was a Catholic)
druidgnome 1 year ago
Its amazing how many thousands of variations of books & stories of today are based off of his mind & stories. Elves, dwarves, hobbits, and so on.. the fantasy books out there today do not stray very far from these basic elements of creatures and characters. As if nothing else can be invinted or thought up for the concept of fantasy...
tscotty32 1 year ago
@tscotty32 elves and dwarfs are from Norse Mythology , he didnt invent them.
voryn 1 year ago
@voryn hmmm i didn't know that but I guess he is the father of the first style of fantasy books containing these beings. And it just seems to me that most all fantasy books follow his style of writing is what I meant to say. Its like he's the father of the first ever fantasy style writing.
tscotty32 1 year ago
@tscotty32 Your comment was made a year ago, but Tolkien didn't create elves, dwarves, and possibly not hobbits. These came from folklore. What he did was create his own tale using these characters and you're right a lot of fantasy writers are inspired by him. He is amazing.
marilynjeaux 4 months ago
The original geek, all hail his nerdy name! This man was truly brilliant. Pure genius.
wannabedesi 1 year ago
@wannabedesi He was a poet and scholar. Geeks followed after him lol. Well, not all of them geeks. Geeks obsess. Lovers of art and poetry admire.
TirianCreed 1 year ago
@DareYouNotToClick1 You should feel ashamed. He is probably the greatest fantasy writer of all times!
Perilix 1 year ago
@DareYouNotToClick1 No, he wrote the books as well as The Hobbit. Without him or the books the movies wouldn't have been made.
lopezheavy 1 year ago
@DareYouNotToClick1 J.R.R. Tolkien wrote the Lord of the Rings.. Peter Jackson directed the films.
KakashiTemari 1 year ago
best of the best
misterkefir 1 year ago
@Wedneswere
Dwarves were made not by "the" god, but by one of the lesser gods he created.
It's all in the Simarillion, really great read if you've finished LOTRs.
Flinty88 1 year ago
I read it a while ago wasn't it aule or something? He created them because he was lonely?
scatmanwfm 1 year ago
he made them to express his craftmanship or something like that, hence they are awesome craftsmen
Kudiz 1 year ago
@scatmanwfm He did it for his own amusement. He began the Silmarillion during first world war. While on the battlefield he began to think out the first stories.
He definitely was not lonely. Actually, the entire elvish society is inspired by his wife, Edith.
Lythya 1 year ago
@Lythya Wasn't talking about Tolkien
scatmanwfm 1 year ago
@scatmanwfm Ah, okay xD
Lythya 1 year ago
Simarillion is a tough read, but you learn so much about Middle Earth.
I wish King Fingolfin would of landed eight wounds on Morgoth.
TheWizzooo 1 year ago
@TheWizzooo "Marrer of Middle-earth, would that I might see you face to face, and mar you as my lord Fingolfin did!"--Hurin
theFFVIguy 1 year ago
Wow, just more evidence his mind was a sea of words.
goingpostal9933 1 year ago
And of course pipe in his hand at 2:13 :)
corratecxverts01 1 year ago
@corratecxverts01 You can never speak out against a man with a pipe. Universal truth.
Lythya 1 year ago
Dwarves not the children of God - hmmm.... Fascinating! I am a great fan of Tolkien, have been since 4 years old. It is fascinating to wonder how Dwarves may fit into the Big Picture. Any comments on this?
Wedneswere 1 year ago
Thanks for sharing !
jacqklin 2 years ago
Did he smoke so much, or is his voice so bad?
larbo1616 2 years ago
haha, 'oh glorious nothing to read', thats rich coming from you ronald, brilliant author and imaginitive genius!
BiffaTW 2 years ago
Why do I feel he was shy? I read he was recluse somewhere and hated his popularity in the media. but i see the shyness. ... In the 60's many musical bands have sang about motives included in Tolkien's book. Rowling who wrote Harry Potter took MANY many motives from other fairy tales authors and also from LOTR... Always nice to see the author talking. Tnx for vid! :)
ladydawn1973Eternity 2 years ago
@ladydawn1973Eternity I do not know if he was shy or not, but that he hated his popularity in the media I think it's because he was wise and authentic. So are his works, too. Their true meaning being distorted by all those reporters and misunderstood by most people, even (and maybe most) by those who adored them... Well, that's how I see it.
Signifer82 1 year ago
oh, bugger...read my comments from bottom up, or they might make no sense whatsoever.
pederad 2 years ago
I feel, therefore that Tolkiens final/ultimate message is not one of war or peace or protestatism or catholism; but one of hope. Of ever forgivness, ever hope and good. Which is christan, is it not?
pederad 2 years ago
In one of his letters (I can't remember which right now) he says that the most important point in the whole Lord of the Rings, is when Smeagol/Golloum sits alone keeping watch. In the novel, Sam wakes and speaks "harsly" to Smeagol..."Why are you spying...". But Tolkien felt, that had Sam spoken kindly to Smeagol at that time, even his soul might have been saved.
pederad 2 years ago
I'll disreguard lamlyn's comments as they are pointless and in some cases plain stupid. But to return to whether Tolkien's works are protestant or catholic, I think they are mostly CHRISTIAN.
pederad 2 years ago
For many reasons I think that the central character of Tolkien mythologic system is Eärendil.
Evidently Tolkien felt a most profound identification of himself with Beren and Frodo's tale is much more detailedly narrated than Eärendil's.
However, Eärendil's history is the most beautiful story I have ever read or heard of.
Eärendil is not a word invented by Tolkien, it is a name given to Christ in an anglosaxon or middle-english poem.
C2209w 2 years ago
earendil means love of seas. and tolkien did not direct his influence of religion in his wrighting directley to the charecters in the books but more of the ideas witch are unraveled in the silmarillion witch i do not dought you read.
FlashMob22 2 years ago
Would you care to use a more correct English?
You might well find this in a source as easy to use as Wikipedia:
"Tolkien was particularly inspired by the lines in Christ:
éala éarendel engla beorhtast / ofer middangeard monnum sended
"Hail Earendel, brightest of angels, sent over Middle-earth to men."
which can be taken as the inspiration not only for the role of Eärendil in Tolkien's work, but also for the term Middle-earth (translating Middangeard) for the inhabitable lands"
C2209w 2 years ago
???
lamlyn 2 years ago
There are several pagan elements in Tolkien works, in the same way as there is an influence of Greek philosphical terminology in Nicea's Faith Symbolum.
And it is FORTUNATELY so.
Valars, for example, are an unique and successful mix of nature forces, pagan gods and christian angels.
Perhaps Tolkien desired a good mythology for England (not for the UK, GB of CommWealth of course) but finally WHAT he created (sub-created) was a mythology for the Catholic Church. And I am VERY PROUD of it
C2209w 2 years ago
Tolkien was a devout Catholic, and that no doubt influenced him and his work. But he was also a scholar of Old English, and Medieval literature, and though he may not have literally believed in old gods, they, too, influenced him. In the end, Tolkien wasn't trying to create Christian propoganda, or to shove a dogma down our throats, but rather, he was trying to tell a good story, and deeper, to create a mythology for England.
Ashiman12 2 years ago
well put. i'm an atheist, but i get so much out of these books. the god in tolkien's books is real, with more evidence for his existence than yahweh or allah. Therefore it is not a religious novel even if you want to argue that there is a god in it. This god exists, our god in reality, is a fictional character who has caused billions to die and corrupted the human species. sorry, rant over. all i'm saying is that religion should need to factor into tolkien's published works.
lamlyn 2 years ago
He was an Editor of the Jerusalem Bible.
amdgmcman 2 years ago
that bears no relevance to tolkien's books. They aren't inherently religious, thank god!!
lamlyn 2 years ago
Tolkiens books can be take as a religion themselves haha.
ImperviousMason 2 years ago
Amusing you should say that.
"The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision. That is why I have not put in, or have cut out, practically all references to anything like 'religion', to cults or practices, in the imaginary world. For the religious element is absorbed into the story and the symbolism." - J.R.R. Tolkien
Jarnor23 1 year ago
Best author ever..
Sareth987 2 years ago
he got the idea for the hobbit from a school exam
ChairmanBlimp 2 years ago
i may leave a blank page on my next exam for a few extra marks.
BiffaTW 2 years ago
I love reading his books and poems.
AxMxM1 2 years ago
JRR Tolkien is my hero.
NaaruLey 2 years ago
Did all of you LOTR worshippers know that the fantasy trilogy The Magic Ring was written by Motte-Fouque 80 years prior? He just added more material to Motte-Fouque's trilogy and called it his own. I don't call that very creative at all....
Gilgamesh73 2 years ago
Tolkien based it on the Icelandic Sagas and Norse Myth's and all sorts of Northern european texts, and Wagner's Ring saga was also prior to Tolkien. but this doesn't mean anything less of The Lord Of The Rings in my opinion.
Almuric7 2 years ago
As I posted on a different video (where you also posted a similar comment), neither Tolkien nor anyone else has a monopoly on fantasy stories involving magic rings. And as I also said elsewhere, most forgotten works are forgotten for a reason. If Motte-Fouque's trilogy was worthy of being remembered as Tolkien's works are, it would be. But it isn't. Being first does not automatically mean being better. Not that Motte-Fouque was first, either, for that matter.
jjobie 2 years ago
You're absolutely right. If Motte-Fouque's tale was worth anything it would be very popular now, but it didn't stand to the waves of time or just wasn't very interesting at all. *nod*
DasoPanda 2 years ago
And you've never read the Magic Ring or else you would know the difference between Tolkiens whole mythology (including the Silmarillion) and this.
The Magic ring is itself based on Icelandic/Germanic tales of old, Tolkien was a major student of Icelandic and never refuted his ring trilogy was inspired somewhat by these tales. Dont be so keen to debunk greatness just because you feel it may earn you some pedantic brownie points - it wont. At least know what you're talking about.
CarlBewley 2 years ago
p.s How many languages have you invented btw? I'd call that on its own 'creative' wouldnt you?
CarlBewley 2 years ago
oh, sod off! read the books properly and tell again that they aren't very creative. wanker..
lamlyn 2 years ago
"glorious"
blah1988 2 years ago
He was SERVING JESUS CHRIST, HE IS CHRISTIAN
assyrianking4 2 years ago
Bollocks. He was a Catholic man of faith yes- but not everyone feels the need to ram religion down our throats. Not once in 30 years have I read anywhere that Tolkien said he wrote his books in service of Jesus Christ. Any kind of allegory was obviously abhorrent to him (becuase he said that several times) so do a bit of homework instead of talking out of your biased hole.
CarlBewley 2 years ago
This is utterly genius on so many levels...The man has created thousands of years worth of history, lore, languages, dogma. The list goes on. His sociological observations, hopes and dreams, desires, fears. All manifested through these giant works of literary art.
Obiwannabe 2 years ago
hmm he was a genius on the level of author and english language yes.
AEVautomatic 2 years ago
he's awesome!!! YOU ROCK TOIKEN!!!!!
Hockeycarnage 2 years ago
"Tolkien" rocks too.
pingwingling 2 years ago
tokin tolkien!!!
coolboo15 2 years ago
I m gonna visit Oxford soon...n i hope i will find his grave at Wolvercote...
OscarRocks94 2 years ago
Comment removed
OscarRocks94 2 years ago
Yeah...It's kinda amazing how much he looks like Ian McKellen.
DarkTheories 2 years ago
Haha..god I love people like Tolkien. He's a legend. Probably the best author ever. :)
DarkTheories 2 years ago
great man
krane33 2 years ago
He talks really fast and mumbles quite alot, but hes still clear about what hes trying to get across
zombieninja28 2 years ago
Lovecraft is not a hack, compared to Tolkien or anyone! What a strange insult. Their styles were completely different. HP's atheism was not a limiter on his works at all! Tolkien himself wrote a creation myth that, on the face of it, would be sacriligeous. And why pick on poor HP as a comparator? Why not any of the hundreds of GENUINE hacks who have basically ripped off Tolkien to this day? All that nearly indentical swords and dragons rubbish that contain none of JRR's beauty and elegance?
ProjectFlashlight612 2 years ago
Haha, "genuine hacks," what an odd choice of words!
whatever678 2 years ago
Tolkien's voice sounds incredibly rough and ready - splendidly down-to-earth!
He sounds much less of a nerd or typical scholar than one might imagine. A tough old dude, and not exactly mealy-mouthed, judging by his non-fiction and appreciation of e.g. Chesterton!
mhopwood1 2 years ago
thanks for this interview - this man, though I've never seen moving pictures of him until now, affected my young life greatly.
His books first (and his bio) got me interested in scholarship... I went on to study linguistics and now teach.
I must admit the films and my age have detracted someone from the old feelings of love I once had from the stories of Tolkien, but I still owe a lot to him for shaping my young mind 20+ years ago.
combesian 3 years ago
I love Tolkiens works
I am inspired
hurley501 3 years ago
In answer to those who are wondering if he actually spoke like this or if the sound it just odd:
I've been reading a biography of Tolkien recently, and apparently he did have a habit of mumbling, as well as talking too quickly for people to follow. Apparently, this was common among academics at the time.
Obviously, this doesn't mean he was a bad person. It just means he was a bit of a nerd, as are most quirky and intelligent people.
holycow818181 3 years ago
Amazingly, his writing is far better than his speaking!
smorinjo 3 years ago
amazingly? really? are you amazed?
battletoads4life 3 years ago
kay... idiot question: is that REALLY J.R.R. Tolkein???
he looks like Ian McKellen...
man is he old...and dead... :(
rofl I think i'm going crazy...ya bye
^.^V
mewsamantha 3 years ago
Yes... this is him. Dead? Yes, his physical from may have died in the 70s but because of his books, he'll never die.
But languages and Eä (Middle-Earth & Aman) are his life work. He started those very early in his life.
Tingilyawen 3 years ago
Amazing mind although some of this video this is hard to understand. Is it because of the quality of the sound recording or the English accent?
HugeTolkienFan 3 years ago
Although Tolkien is popular, not too many people really appreciate the true genius of his writings. He is one of my favorite authors, along with H.P. Lovecraft. Sad to know most people are only fans of Lord of the Rings because of the movies :(
samdaboy5 3 years ago
Yes its very sad. But even the movies miss out a lot of the great parts in the book.
antoriamemphis 3 years ago
Lovecraft--influencer of King, an influence of myself, though he may be, a worthy writer though he may be--is a hack compared to Tolkien.
redpoet7 3 years ago
redpoet7, I agree, Lovecraft (in both intent and writing) is a hack when compared to Tolkien. You must remember however, that Lovecraft's worldview would've made it impossible for him to depart from anything other then what he was or wrote. Tolkien was a Christian. Lovecraft decidedly was not. His mindset and outlook would only serve for the chilling (and nightmarish) narratives (and it was almost all narrative)centering around tombs and ruins. His is the mindset of the solitary morbid hero.
etherealtoad 3 years ago
I agree.
Whenever I hear someone mention the name Tolkien, they almost always start talking about Frodo and the Rings, and don't mention anything whatsoever of Fëanor, the Silmarils, Beren and Lúthien or Eärendil, which is very sad.
They truly are Lost Tales, lost and unknown.
Laurelindo 3 years ago
yeah but how do you get them im a tolkin colector i need to know were i can get them
mormanwarrior 3 years ago
Take a look at Book of Lost Tales 1 and 2, they contain lots of short stories from the First Ages.
Another sweet book is The Silmarillion, which is based on Tolkien's old stories and written more or less like a novel.
You should be able to find these books in normal book stores or in the library.
Laurelindo 3 years ago
would have ben nice tough if they made a movie of the Silmarils and those old books Tolkien had.
omba111 2 years ago
yeah i wish that aswell
sexyboy78630 2 years ago
When people mention Tolkien I think of Numenor and Gandalf, I have no idea why though
zombieninja28 2 years ago
yeah i agree with you. to be honest, i think that the silmarillion and the story of the elder days are better than the lord of the rings. even though i love the lord of the rings.
sexyboy78630 2 years ago
Am I crazy, or does he look like Ian McKellen? If so... coincidence? :)
This is very cool -- thanks for posting.
lianrilianri 3 years ago
I guess you are crazy
hahah no ... actually a bit, but I don't think its much.
000000AEA000000 3 years ago
It's called an accent people!
The whole world has different languages that evolve over time.
God Bless Tolkien!
wutru 3 years ago
subtitles would help a lot - all i understand is -
abderrr de aaaa grey elves abdeh err aaa origin obidahabidah etc...
mcdevster 3 years ago
It makes a lot more sense if you read the Silmarillion
Jarlaxle898 3 years ago
i agree
haha
victorelessar 3 years ago
Yes, that what happens when an idiot is incharge of the sound boom.
Ensiktan 3 years ago
My brother is mocking his speech and making fun of him. That is so disrespectful I like his speech.
inuyashamaniac1 3 years ago
what the hell is he on about
giggabyt78 3 years ago
That was rude.
inuyashamaniac1 3 years ago
He is awesome. He can't speak to well though. Still very cool.
inuyashamaniac1 3 years ago
he is old here.
kingsleykillz 3 years ago
good writer, best in the world, but must learn to speak english properly
kirbyd123 3 years ago
English is not my mother language(I did learn it from very small and speak it quite fluently, but it's not the same since it's not my everyday language), and for if it wasnt enough, I hardly ever listen to British accent, so I only understood about 20 words =-C
09j03r94 3 years ago
I can't understand him :(
culululu7 3 years ago
5 stars
Hansped33 3 years ago
He is a good writer
Hansped33 3 years ago
...I was very, very drunk.
JackCalico 3 years ago
Gotta love Tolkien!!! I was hoping videos like this would be on here, but I was presently surprized at just how many there are! Thanks!
shadowfaxlover88 3 years ago
Sorry, I'm a bit tired, I meant to say "pleasantly" not "presently". By the way, TOLKIEN IS AWESOME!!!
shadowfaxlover88 3 years ago
Awesome indeed
09j03r94 3 years ago
What a Catholic genius! Tolkien's mind is as deep as the teachings of the Catholic Church.
AMEN!
1tontomato 3 years ago
AMEN, fella, AMEN!
09j03r94 3 years ago
is that judi dench narrating at the end?
kheldara 4 years ago