The People of Middle Earth: an (Almost) Complete Guide

[@AmyBrueckman]

Dwarves as the first, weirdly shaped pancake is the greatest analogy I've ever heard

[@darthwader4472]

How about second pancake?

[@philkugler2429]

​@Darth Wader thank you for this excellent contribution

[@richardlopez2932]

I don't even read these fucking books. I'm part Italian for God's sakes!

[@seasidescott]

@@richardlopez2932 - ah, your from _"the swarthy men of the southern lands"_ as Tolkien would and did put it.

[@strangerinwhite]

​@@richardlopez2932Dude just chill. No need for swearing! Also what does it mean by you being half Italian, for not reading the Books? Are you saying that you have to be British to read it ? Well I'm not Italian at all, but I have read The Divine Comedy by Dante, and I am not Greek but I have read The Illiad and The Odyssey. Don't let your ancestry dicate what you can and can't read.

[@the98themperoroftheholybri33]

My favourite bit of men-elf lore is when the elves first experienced a man dying from old age. They were devastated and completely surprised because they'd never even thought of the idea someone could simply stop living after a time, they went into a full depression about it

[@joshuawindus8519]

It’s really interesting how Tolkien writes about how the mortality of man burdens elves- it’s a rather beautiful description of how the elder brother race views humanity.

[@scottfitzpatrick1939]

Death is so powerful even the undying are like whaaaaaaaaaat 😂

[@simonmorris4226]

Beor the Old!

[@the98themperoroftheholybri33]

@@scottfitzpatrick1939 I like to imagine it's how we feel when we adopt a pet and after 15 years it dies

[@MartinMCade]

There are also a few hints in Tolkien that the race of Men has something else waiting after death - there are hints of death being a "gift" and something else in store that is unknown even to the Valar. (I can't point to a specific reference though.) (Edit - I see she covers this later in the video. I should watch the whole thing before commenting. :D )

[@faustomadebr]

Aulë and Yavanna talking about how Erú is generous, letting the dwarves and ents exist is amazing, specially when Yavanna goes full prophet about this situation and Aulë gives her the most husband answer: "... but they will need wood".

[@JH-hh5jm]

Dwarves have always been my favorite in any fantasy story/game. They're the perfectly imperfect, which makes them so much more interesting than elves to me.

[@LordAlisdare]

All hail the Forgelighters brother

[@AngelavengerL]

i was so happy to see your comment. I thought i was alone in this feeling.

[@chase5298]

you thought you were the only person in the world who liked dwarves?@@AngelavengerL

[@LynxLord1991]

We gotta remember Tolkien wrote most of his stories from the Elves perspective which is why Dwarves often have negative trait thrown on. The Hobbit being the only one with a more pro dwarf view

[@brettevans6823]

I’ve always thought that the best place to look for Ent-Wives would have been the Old Forest near the Shire. The way it is described with trees “whispering” to each other sounds very Ent like to me.

[@dodobarthel2249]

I always thought of them as not living in woods at all but maybe as an old and gnarly apple tree in the middle of a big garden somewhere. No one will ever see them move but even without a human gardener the garden will never fall in disarray... But I love the idea of the old forest containing ents as well...

[@AW-uv3cb]

I think it's heavily implied that there is an Entish connection to the Old Forest and the readers are supposed to infer it from context (the Old Forest itself is a remnant of the great forests of old, like Fangorn, so one can easily imagine two pockets of the ancient forest where the Ents lived cut off from each other). But rather than the Ent-wives, I think it's more like the Ents themselves who went tree-ish, like the Huorns in Fangorn: the Old Forest is not made up of fruit trees etc., and the trees whisper and even move just like the Huorns in Fangorn (Treebeard himself says that some of the Huorns' hearts rot and become evil, and that it would be dangerous for the hobbits to wander around Fangorn by themselves - so some of the Huorns are basically like the Old Man Willow in the Old Forest.). The Old Forest is basically Fangorn with no properly living Ents left there.

[@mitchellsmith4690]

It is my belief that Hobbits were inspired by Tolkiens' experience of rural life in England in his childhood, and the respect he bore for the enlisted soldiers he led in WWI. Sam is Frosos' perfect batman.

[@josephkelly6681]

I believe that's been confirmed about the non-com British soldiers.

[@danrusso2953]

That's not just your belief, that's true.

[@andreeacrihana1733]

I would LOVE to be an Elf, but realistically I would be a good old hobbit Edit: Second Breakfast is just too tempting

[@scottfitzpatrick1939]

Hahaha thats the good life!

[@iansneddon2956]

And Elevenses.

[@ZachariahWiedeman]

Knowing my luck, I'd probably just be a horse. 🤷‍♂

[@joshuamininger7745]

Bill the Horse!!

[@kennethwoody5897]

I feel you there. I'd love to be of the Noldor (just not the kin slaying variety). I love knowledge, and understanding the world around me. But, realistically, I'm just a good little hobbit. Sitting in my cozy hole, smoking my pipe.

[@michaelkelleypoetry]

I like to think of the Orcs as an example of what the dwarves could have become like if Aulë had been as prideful as Melkor. Aulë's humility brought the dwarves into being adopted by Eru.

[@danmurray2210]

Here's a thought: orcs are canonically evil elves who have had their history and evolution (if you can call it that) shaped by the harmful interference of Morgoth and Sauron. Hobbits are canonically humans and have had a lot of contact with Gandalf. In some ways, Gandalf is kind of an anti-Sauron, being the servant of Manwe in ways that kind of parallel Sauron being the assistant of Morgoth, but with Gandalf being averse to deception and selfishness, while Sauron really goes in for those things. Could it be that Hobbits, then, are anti-orcs? Was their history shaped by Manwe and Gandalf specifically for a purpose?

[@douglashicks2410]

An old Middle Earth indulger has just discovered you yesterday and has already listened to 4 of your insightful offerings. Your phrasing rolls from your tongue like Tolkien’s own voice. I could listen to you for hours if I weren’t so busy fighting the forces of evil without and within my own flawed self.

[@tombraiderstrums09]

I just love that Tolkien built uncertainty and mystery into his world by leaving questions-such as where the Ents came from or what exactly Tom Bombadil is-unanswered even from his perspective. It’s a sign of mature storytelling and makes the world feel so much deeper and richer.

[@stellagetreuer5164]

I laughed SO much at the pancake. I always identified with the elves, with their whole concept of thinking. With memory being of great importance, with their (to normal people) boring love-lives, with constantly overthinking.

[@NimbusAngelo]

One group of people in Tolkien's Middle-Earth that are rarely talked about is the Drúedain or Woses. From most visual references, these people are similar to the appearances of Maori Polynesian and Australian Aboriginals. I'm not sure if Tolkien described them as such in his writings, but most illustrators portray them as such.

[@LordVader1094]

He did essentially describe them as such. He also mentioned how the Rohirrim hunted them for sport and considered them Orcs, but in reality were Good Men

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

I'll have to cover them more in my video about men specifically! They originally got a mention in this video, but it had to get cut for time

[@chadbennett7873]

I absolutely love your exploration of the races of Tolkien, and as a writer of heroic fantasy, I found many of your views aligned with my own. Tolkien went from writing stories for his children to defining the strengths and weaknesses of mankind, in the form of a modern mythology. So many people who are not aware of his life, do not realize he didn't just write some books, he created a world, and in that process, created a genre of literature that did not previously exist. All great fantasy has a root in Tolkien, some admitted and some not, but it exists because of the beloved Oxford professor. My own story was inspired in 1974 when I first read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, then spent the next 45 years of my life, writing on and off, until I completed it three years ago. I'm still working on making changes before I attempt to publish, but in truth, I wrote it for myself. If it is ever shared, that will be a gift, and not a certainty. Your presentation has made me rethink a few of my characters, and as I have prepared yet another reworking, I found a few threads in this to consider. For that, I thank you, and have subscribed. For many reasons, I see myself as mostly Hobbit. I am Pollyanna-ish, have high expectations of those around me, but far higher for myself. I am ridiculously loyal until betrayed, then walk away without conflict. I will swiftly step between a friend and danger ... so there might be a bit of Dunedain in me as well. My flaws would be a book within this note, so I will not bore anyone with those, but they are plentiful. Thank you for sharing these videos. I am enjoying them immensely and appreciate the obvious care you take in making them.

[@andresj3939]

Sir, if you ever share this book to the world, please reply back as I would avidly read such a work by someone who uses such a word as pollyannaish. I too am working on a novel, for the last decade. I drew maps, created lore and wrote thousands of years of history, stories, legends that the modern people of said world look back on for inspiration. I've written songs for some of the people, drawn maps of the first days, and of the day that I was using for the current story. So that people can see the progression of culture, language, religion, ideals, people, and suffrage of evil or lack there of. In turn I just want to thank you for invigorating my fervor to go on. I was a little addled from my work schedule the last 2 years, covid, depression I should've crawled out of earlier than I did before. But hearing of your journey through writing. Not just the time, length thereof, but also the level of detail, and depth. . . interest, love and dedication, also the common inspiration of Tolkien, have led me to feel a newfound level of wanting to pursue this life work of mine. I found similar appreciations for the stories of Lord Dunsany and E.R. Eddison. I apologize for such a long winded reply, I just want you to know that I appreciated your comment and this lovely intelligent woman's video and her intricate and gorgeous way of evaluating and defining the cultures of a great work, because it has now reinstated the priorities I used to have for my own projects. Thank you, and again I do beseech you, to please let me know if you ever decide to share your work. And if I complete mine that I may show you what you have re-inspired in me. Have a wonderful existence mon frere.

[@chadbennett7873]

@@andresj3939 What a beautifully kind and thoughtful comment. Thank you, far more than I have words to convey. I am of the ilk to never be satisfied, so even though I profess to have completed it, I'm still rewriting and adding, even as a write a sequel. The original one is 265,000+ words. My only advice is stay with it. I went ten years without writing a word, not a poem or a sentence, after my parents passed away. I have not journeyed as deeply into my realm as you have done. You are more true to the Tolkien method, but I've learned that if I ever do publish, I'm the type of person who would have a conversation with anybody who wished to talk about it, so remembering it all would be an un-welcomed challenge And while Tolkien thought of every detail, I am nowhere near his level and would never pretend to be. So, STAY WITH IT. The fascinating thing is that I wrote 70% of it in the last two years of writing. It had been written in my head for 40 years, so it was just the process of all the puzzle pieces falling into place in the correct positions. When that realization comes, get it recorded. The other lesson I learned is write modularly, write your inspired moment, then know where it belongs, then write the connections. Sometimes, the module you are writing from your inspired moment IS the connection. I realized it when I finished it, and pulled in the previous module to make the connection. What this did for me was allow me to break the linear flow when it slowed down, giving me fewer dry spells. It's funny you comment about songs. I intentionally created a bardic character to force me to write poetry for the story. I had been in a band in my younger years and wrote lyrics,, so I consider myself a poet who writes prose rather than the other way around. Thanks again for your inspiring note, as I've been in a dry spell on my fantasy, and working on other things. I just might be time to begin the next rewrite and pick up the sequel I began a couple of years ago. I hope I have enough years left to finish it too, but I can't do what I did on the first for that to happen. You are appreciated!

[@ultimateshipper8997]

@@andresj3939 Chad Bennett and you Sir, are wonderful people and I'd like VERY MUCH for you to release your books, please do. I'm a crypto writer myself, I've spent the last eighteen years working on my novels, crafting poetries, legends, myths, religions, philosophies, nursery rhymes, writing biography of main characters, drawing maps upon maps (I'm very fond of cartography) and developing alphabets and languages for different people across the planet, as well as taking care of all the aspects of said world, from geology to biology to astronomy. I'm so happy to see many more people polishing they're work this way, and I greatly appreciate your fondness for E. R. Eddison, such an underrated author.

[@ultimateshipper8997]

@@chadbennett7873 Tolkien is still my favourite author, he was the one who made me fall in love with languages and phonology so much that I HAD TO start inventing my own set of languages. I've always been affected by what I call the Ulysses Syndrome, I always have this need to know, which in return made me dig the human knowledge on several different fields that considerably improved my ability to write a series of novels where the goal is to make an otherwise fantastic world realistic.

[@ultimateshipper8997]

And I really hope you both to find your own kind of Inklings.

[@besaidknight]

I like to think Illuvitar had a Bob Ross moment and labled the Dwarves a "Happy Accident" XD

[@AngelavengerL]

haha i love this!

[@plagueamon9331]

This whole topic about the ents and Shakespeare reminds me of Tom Cardy’s song about LoTR and the line “they’ll walk if I tell them to!” becomes even funnier in retrospect

[@CarolynAgee]

Don't forget that Tolkien hired an Icelandic au pair and took a lot from the folklore she told his children (largely untranslated into written English at the time) for his conception of Elves

[@GholaTleilaxu]

We can't forget what we never knew. More data, please!

[@Estenberg]

Since first reading 'The Hobbit' at 9 years old, in 1969, I felt an affinity towards the Dwarves. By my 3rd reading of the trilogy in 1974, I knew that I was at least part Dwarf, in the alternate universe of Middle Earth, and I challenged my body to prove it. In 1976 I ran away from home and joined the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) as the persona: "Erik the Dark, son of Rolf, 1/3 Viking, 2/3 Dwarf," where I made my living as an Ax & Shield Foot-Jouster at my nearby Renaissance Faires. Ever since then and up to this day, many of my old friends still call me "ET Dark," and refer to me as a 'Dwarf of the House of Balin'. My Dwarven Crest is a Hammer & Anvil with 3 Stars above it. My Signature is almost always followed by the Dwarven Khuzdul Ruins for "G" & "A," (standing for "Gotland, (my Swedish motherland)", and "Aule, (the creator of my Dwarven-Self)," - or (in mundane), my original birth-place on "Earth" & my incarnation in "Middle Earth" (specifically in Moria). I am a Dwarf of Middle Earth... clearly I am. I can feel it. - You are 'Asmâk-Karf,' part time Hobbit girl.

[@matthewbreytenbach4483]

That's an amazing tale, cheers good Dwarrow.

[@valentinom.4292]

cheers erik

[@arijunior5753]

There are so many powerful races among the free people, but I love how the greatest heroes of all time are almost all Men (..Beren, Turin, Elendil, Isildur, Aragorn..). I mean, there are many important figures that belong to Elvens and Dwarfs (such like Gil-Galad and Thorin), but was by Men's actions that the world would really change.

[@UncleFester84]

There is an argument to be made that all children of Eru, including then the dwarves, hobbits and possibly ents and eagles, exist thanks to Melkor. After all they came with the third theme of the music, that rose against his discord, had there been no discord there would not have been the need for another theme, hence, no children. After readin the Atrabeth, i'm pretty much convinced that's the case.

[@royloebe7398]

I've just come across this channel but I enjoy your videos and perspectives. I like that you take a broader approach than just "this is what the legendarium says" and explore the mythic and cultural origins of your subjects. You are adding something to the TolkienTube (?) community. Subscribe.

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

This means a lot to hear! It was certainly the goal of the channel. I really appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment.

[@thegreatermysteries4134]

I agree, well said.

[@savannacharlieisbell6492]

This is exactly what I was saying to myself earlier. She doesn’t just regurgitate (which I find becomes stale & strips some of the magic). She explores & truly understands & adds to the magic & creativity of that energy.

[@ICGvids]

Just found your videos and they are absolutely delightful. There is very little that I don’t already know as a Tolkien fan but the way you present the material is very well done and it’s clear you have a passion for Tolkien’s work just as I do. Thank you for sharing that passion. ❤

[@ronlouie830]

I know you flashed a screen caption that said you are "certainly a human being," but you're so Elvish in your engaging grace, beautiful presentation and wisdom (not to mention the way the sun makes you glow in your outdoors videos!), one cannot be sure. The stories of the sentient beings were so well told, it takes me back to the last century and my first reading.. But the other clue to your Elvishness is the way your plant was communicating with you, through its frond and your right arm...😂🌱

[@saadamehdi2848]

Agreed, she is unnaturally graceful, beautiful whatever she wears. Not a compliment I can say of many women, by a long shot.

[@19mindmechanic55]

"...like that first pancake..." Beautiful description of the dwarves (dwarfs?) and their creation. I always found their immense skill in languages interesting. Not sure how or why that developed, and I think the other peoples of Middle Earth may not have appreciated this skill, given the stereotypes and prejudices they had toward the dwarves - which may have had to do with their gruff demeanor and their lack of what others may have perceived as beauty. They were Of The Earth - like rocks - in many ways, and rocks are not usually associated with linguistic skill.

[@torbenkristiansen2742]

Thanks for paying attention to the preservation and maintenance of the beards. It is a core cultural element that helps to define the Khazâd. But sadly often glossed over. The original Dwarves in Norse Mythology was made from the Maggots of the slain Giant Ymir. So the little episode involving Aulë can be seen a step up, all things considered.

[@samforsyth]

3:03 one of the greatest illustrations I've ever seen. Can't believe I've never seen it. Dwarves are my favorite obviously... Also - love referring to Dwarves as "little dump trucks"

[@celtofcanaanesurix2245]

I think the fact the people think that they don't have to decide between grand notions of good or evil like heroes of old is the very reason they choose evil

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

Oh that's an interesting idea!

[@celtofcanaanesurix2245]

@@Jess_of_the_Shire the reason why is because when people see their actions as inconsequential to the whole of the world they choose the selfish path, and that is choosing evil.

[@BecauseOfDragons]

I would love to think I'd be Dwarvish but I think I'm probably all Hobbit haha. I loved the stuff about the Ents though in particularly. They are fast becoming some of my favourites to explore more about in Middle-earth lore.

[@hundbait]

definitely a hobbit, but with a little dwarf in me. i love making stuff. especially stuff out of metal. but i also love me some peace and quiet

[@justin188541]

"THE FIRST PANCAKE PEOPLE 😅" I'm keeping that one! Love it!

[@Jd-zl7mn]

Dwarves are my favorite and always will be. A heart for crafts and buildings with an eye towards perfection. It cut to the core of who i am and my want to be an Engineer.

[@larryrenzosaenz]

You are my new favorite breath of fresh air. Thank you for walking us through your wonderful world! 💖

[@steelshanks1265]

The Names of Dwarves in Norse Mythology are the Same in Tolkien's works, especially in the Hobbit. Thier mannerisms, attitudes, and such, are also very similar too each other. Tolkien was a scholar of Anglo-Saxon and Norse Myths after all, it's incredibly interesting how closely related they really are.

[@paulbrickler]

What an absolutely stunning backdrop - wherever you live, it's amazing.

[@Pandaemoni]

If we want to refer to dwarves as "the weird, first-of-the-morning pancakes of Iluvatar" I will support that. At least in Norse myth, "elves" and "dwarfs" are not necessarily distinct. The Norse didn't really think in terms of "species" the way we do, so "troll" for example, was really more akin to "monstrous (vaguely) humanoid" than a specific type of creature. The "black elves" (svartalfr) were clearly dwarves (the Sons of Ivaldi who created Odin's spear and Sif's golden hair are referred to by both terms), and dwarf names, in general, refer them as "elf" very frequently: Gandalfr (a dwarf name, meaning "wand elf" maybe "wolf elf"), Alfrikr ("elf king"), Vindalfr ("wind elf"), etc.

[@wadekothmann431]

I grew up loving all things about Tolkien’s elves the most, but honest me knows that I am a dwarf.

[@monikadeinbeck4760]

If I'd be an ent, I would delight to stand in the forest for hundreds of years just listening to the songs of the forest and feeling the drops of rain. However, if need arises, I would wake up and protect the forest I love, and all beware of my wrath.

[@PhilBoswell]

Apropos the little flighty Elves that are all we have nowadays, at least part of JRRT's motivation was explaining how they ended up like that having started out so powerful!

[@pala4833]

I'm so happy the algorithm put you in my feed. I really like what you do.

[@davidhill3939]

Thoughtful, delightful, and refreshing video and presenter. Thank you for the video!

[@DavidMacDowellBlue]

A point about Men--according to one of his stories, Tolkien hinted Men used to have very long lives, and animals did not prey upon them, until they were tempted into evil by Morgoth. When they turned to him, the Voice they first heard and which inspired them to make speech spoke to say that now "you shall come to me sooner." Additionally, Men have a unique part of their nature which will make possible the un-marring of Arda. They have it within them the power to ultimately banish the evil of Melkor from Arda forever.

[@lttrbox]

"destructive little dump trucks" is the best description of dwarves you could've possibly given xD

[@j.s.ramirez4670]

I will be searching for opportunities to use the term 'got Balrogged' now. Thank you for using 'Balrog' as a verb.

[@davidhouston4810]

The part time Hobbit, is well spoken and quite gifted, I like her videos very much. They deal with a subject close to my heart, and she does it well.

[@moosewizard33]

You’re awesome. So happy to have found your channel. Love that there is a little community of LOTR KZbinrs. Helps me get through the days at work.

[@TheLordofDarkness1995]

I don’t want to be anything but a Hobbit. A simple life of good food and pleasant company sounds like the ultimate way to live.

[@stanjuan1178]

I'm a Tolkien fan as much as one can be without being an authority. Ive read all of the books (i do mean all) multiple times. Ive listened to the audiobooks (all of them) multiple times. Ive watched at least 1000 hours of videos and documentaries. Joined chat groups, read independent papers and breakdowns and have partaken in most of the thing's filling the cracks and spaces in between. I say that so i can say this. Of all the videos that ive seen, there are a the ones that stand out as being really well done. In my opinion, this video is the best articulation of the framework that Tolkiens world is built around of any ive yet seen. Sure, others have essentially said what you said loads of times. My point is, this is the clearest most on point and easiest to understand representation that ive seen. And its video's like this that open the doors to a body of work that many find impenetrable. Its not just a fantasy story. Its not just an interesting tale. There is a depth to Tolkiens work that in many ways trancends the story. Its that depth that makes Tolkiens universe special. Yea the dwarves and elves are great and all, but if you're fixated on the surface level things, you really are missing the point. This video articulates a basic truth in a way that modern people can get their heads around. How many people see a video like this and think " wait,, is THAT whats going on?" Its the "ahh ha" moment. When so many younger people's only exposure is content like video games and the dreaded rings of power, many im afraid don't really see Tolkiens universe for what it truely is. And in my opinion, its exactly the reason rings of power is such a disaster, because the people making it only have an extremly surface level understanding of the universe they are butchering. Rings of power doesn't resonate because its completely divorced from Tolkiens universe. We need more videos like this.❤

[@BanjoSick]

Moria/Khazad Dum has lots of ventilation! The Fellowship feels the drafts on their journey through the realm and ICE put some good ideas about how that should work in their module Moria The Black Chasm.

[@steveholmes11]

I like the way the hobbits are based on rural yeomanry, in a world where almost everybody else is either nobility or cannon fodder.

[@oldworldmichigan705]

Loving your work lately, thank you!

[@MadDragon-lb7qg]

Ok, I know the new series Rings Of Power isn't the most popular of Tolkien adaptations, but after watching it and getting to know Prince Durin and his wife Diza(I think that's how it's spelt), I have decided that I'm a Dwarf! I like crafting, good food, good company.....and I might think I'm in charge of my own home, but my wife is! By the way, my wife, and in-laws are DEFINITELY Rohirrim, they have spent their lives around Horses!

[@TransRoofKorean]

3:46 Ooof, Aule threw himself on Aule's mercy. All that work, all that work, and there's always some little mistake you missed! haha. Thanks for another video, gonna relax and enjoy it. Happy weekend and stuff. Hmmm, all the talk of men and their mortality, not seeing it as a gift, causing them at times to turn against their own Creator... it always makes me think of the same thing -- did you know there are people who dislike _Blade Runner?_ Usually they say it's boring or something. But I always think of that as the greatest representation of this story of mankind's fate. It's the way that it's those replicants with their 4-year lifespan that's used to represent it that makes it perfect to me: like what Tolkien's other races' long lifespans are to the Men, that's kinda how humans would be to these other creations. Ah, and what do they do, when they find they can't live longer, they're designed that way, they murder their creator in resentful anger. Fantastic. So human... \= 20:40 I thought you were a hobbit tbh, at least when on screen. But nah, you're a Numenorean, you say? Yeah, I fear I'm a human, too.

[@ultimateshipper8997]

There's NO error here. Aulë _is_ LORD! 😇🕊️ (Adds more cringy Christian emoticons here)

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

Haha, there were a lot of little slip-ups in this one. That's what I get for rushing! And interesting insights on Bladerunner! I can't help but also compare it to my pets, haha. My rats have such short lives, but they make an astonishing impact. Thanks for watching, fellow human, I hope your weekend is great!

[@Uesurii_San]

Somehow making this video break 1k is so satisfying. Great content! Keep going!

[@FrankDAgostino77]

Cad Goddeu (Battle of the Trees) is also a possible source for the concept of the Ents. Shakespeare may have also gotten the idea of Birnam Wood from Y Mabinogi, specifically the story of Branwen.

[@Laurelin70]

And probably Shakespeare got the idea from that too.

[@louisvictor3473]

Dwarves are actually the most environmentally friendly people of middle Earth, because they just use geothermal heat instead of burning fuels. It is canon, I made it up myself so just as good.

[@HARRi81_UK]

Just subbed recently and I've binged a few of your videos, which are excellent I must say. Your diction and enunciation are brilliant! I look forward to future viewing.

[@AshenDruid]

Some of the Entwives ended up around the Shire, I'm sure of that. And the problem with Dwarfs and The Lore is that The Lore is almost entirely coming from the Elves. The history of Middle Earth is whatever the Elves say happened, and they fall victim to prejudice and selective memory just as much as the other free peoples.

[@straightshowtunelove]

I will never be able to look at a dwarf again without thinking of pancakes. LOL. Thanks.🤣

[@tomaswmitchellphotography]

Short, ill-tempered, and hairy? That describes me!😅 great video! You are a joy to watch!

[@chrisconway9959]

I have always felt like the humans where the “Nobles” of Victorian times, as the hobbits where peasants

[@markfisher3063]

I gotta go with my boys, the dwarves. Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu!

[@joseraulcapablanca8564]

My heart says heroic Man, my head says, crafty Dwarf, but my stomach which speaks loudest says comfortable Hobbit.

[@aaronaaronsen5976]

ahhh your backyard looks so awesome

[@kevinsullivan3448]

Even as a child I wanted to be a soldier. Before I was 30 I had traveled to Australia and served two tours of duty as a soldier, guarded the free world while stationed in West Germany and received two good conduct discharges. In my 30th year on earth I spent a year with a traveling Carnival and while doing so visited 6 states and traveled across my home state of Arizona. I am definitely one of the Edain. Although I'm currently trying my hand as a chicken farmer, it's only been so so. Out of 4 chicks, only one is a hen and she is laying an egg a day, but I have a line on some more hens. Maybe I'm not too old ans sick to try my hand at Hobbiting.

[@ericharkleroad7716]

I have only recently discovered your channel but I find it amazing, though I've only seen a handful of your videos. I have been a Tolkien fan since long before you were born, you give a rough idea of your age in another video. But your depth of understanding of Tolkien surpasses mine even now. Your knowledge is amazing and your presentation style is great and entertaining. I'd almost swear you've studied Tolkien in a professional fashion, keep up the good work. And, for the record, I am totally a Dwarf.

[@jordanbooth4470]

Super interesting vid once again! Ps throwing it out there,the greatest person of all time middle earth - my boi King Theoden of Rohan. My life goal is to aspire to be Theoden 😂

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

That's an excellent goal!

[@dwellyn]

Beyond Shakespeare's Battle of Dunsinane, where the "trees" of Birnam Wood are carted about, there is an older battle involving trees. This would be Cad Goddeu, or the Battle of the Trees, a Welsh story found in the 14th century text, "The Book of Taliesin", it being the fourth part of the Mabinogion, the epic tale of Wales. The particular section in question tells the story of the magician Gwydion, who enchants the trees to rise up and fight as his army, providing a list of the individual trees gathered together under his banner.

[@ultimateshipper8997]

Ents find their roots, in real life, in Norse Jötnar. At one point during the creation of the Mythology, Tolkien had Giants roaming about, neither good nor bad, just literally forces of nature, chaotic neutral, to put it in D&D terms. More than that, Trolls and Ents are _BOTH_ originated from Giants. As late as the first sketches for _The Two Towers,_ Ents are considered villains that kidnap the Hobbits. Then, Tolkien's love for trees made him switch them from chaotic neutral, to chaotic good. But the Ents roots as obscure monsters from the Elder Days or eco-anarchist Maiar is still visible in the Hobbit (Stone Giants are clearly NOT the same as Trolls, but something else, close but somehow reasonable and possibly decent) and explains why they're a talking race without being of the Children (Giants, Ents, Trolls, Balrogs and Boldogs, Vampires, Werewolves and Eagles are all maiar of some kind)

[@kathleenhensley5951]

I'm the size of dwarf. (4 ft 8.5) I also tend towards more hair than i would wish (thanks, grandmother!) I am definitely NOT an elf. There is little ethereal, silk, jewel like about me ... (though, I love learning and reading!) I wouldn't mind having a long life but only because it would give me more time to learn, read, and make. I am not big enough to be a numenorian. (though, I still believe I married one!) I garden, weave, sew, knit, crochet, make lace, keep chickens, cook . I love making things. A passion with me since childhood. Sooooooo - a hobbit or dwarf? I don't like caves. OK Hobbit. A well read hobbit? I have a really hard time accepting that death is a gift, but i am a Gnostic, and have a rather dour understanding of life, death and eternity. Death is a horrible thing.The light goes out and the body turns into an empty shell.

[@OneWhoWalksAlone]

Enjoyed this very much. Thank you. You have the gift of story telling. Be well.

[@seasidescott]

Petty-Dwarves, a subgroup of rejects (for being too small, seriously) and criminals or malcontents that became their own "race". They we smaller and the elves hunted them into extinction (saying they mistook them for animals (so did they eat them?) yet they also took over their homes and treasures (Finrod Fegalund, leading the kinslaying Noldor and brother to Galadriel, got the "Fegalund" part of his name (meaning 'Lord of the Caves') from stealing the cave homes built by the Petty Dwarves - then hiring the few left alive to do the remodel then he killed them)) though it was a man that killed the last one. The more you read on the distinct groups and history of Tolkien's world, the more elves suck. Methinks that Morgoth didn't have to twist their natures too much to make them orcs.

[@Laurelin70]

It is never stated that Elves drove the Petty-Dwarves from their caves. And the Elves hunted them because the Petty-Dwarves ambushed and robbed them. And where on Earth did you read that Finrod led the kinslaying? Feanor was the first to enter Alqualonde and so it was him who lead the kinslaying. Finarfin and Fingon were at the rear, and they joined the fight because they thought that the Teleri were the ones attacking the Noldor. Finrod never joined them, because he was the last to follow Feanor. This is not to say that many Elves don't suck in major ways, but you have to put the blame where the blame's due.

[@seasidescott]

@@Laurelin70 I know he didn't lead the kinslaying - I was just slurring the Noldor in general because the elves are so often characterized as being angels which you obviously know they are not. The Sindar were largely responsible for hunting Petty-dwarves and the Tolkien Gateway gives lots of examples. Mîm and others weren't the most scrupulous but they were treated poorly by the other races as well and it seems to come down to who is telling the story. And Húrin Thalion is not an impartial observer. Nargothrond, Finrod's "castle" was previously Nulukkizdîn, home of the Petty-dwarves. That's straight out of Silmarillion (of the Ruin of Doriath). JRR's own poem, _The Complaint of Mîm the Dwarf_ , tells it from Mîm's perspective and while no angel, he and his people were hunted, robbed and unhomed to their extinction.

[@Gongasoso]

Men are tragic heroes, Hobbits are comedic heroes

[@elessar8057]

I love the story of the creation of dwarves in the Silmarillion. I would definitely be a hobbit. Leave me with my books alone

[@SpashTheDwarf]

I've never been called a destructive little dump truck before but I'll accept the compliment thank you

[@hanktank45]

Great video, i really enjoyed the insights of man and hobbits.

[@emanuelgonzalez7213]

All these videos are great, a true rival to nerd of the rings

[@Jess_of_the_Shire]

That's so sweet! Thanks for watching!

[@markschannon8797]

Another outstanding presentation! Alas, I have desired to be an elf, an ent, a man, a wizard,, and a Hobbit. Not a dwarf for some reason. It's not that I"m indesisive... I'm just happy with chaos, LOL. Thanks again. You're great.

[@nataliestclair6176]

Great video Jess, thank you

[@lewisworley7830]

new subscriber great stuff to listen to thanks for putting these videos together.

[@dougcree6486]

Thank you for an excellent piece of work.

[@MountainFisher]

The Silmarillion says that Eru sent spirits to become the Ents. Says "when the Children awake then the thought of Yavanna will awake also and it will summon _spirits from afar_, and they will go among the kelvar [animals] and olvar [trees] and some will dwell therein, and be held in reverence, and their just anger shall be feared." Chapter two, last page.

[@dinocollins720]

Another fantastic video thank you!!!

[@allenmunich2816]

i love how you do this

[@drigondii]

Aulë's weeping while readying his hammer made me cry a little, and the tale is such a great allusion to the tales of Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac, though a bit jumbled. (Abraham had been impatient waiting for the promised son, and he had Ishmael illicitly; Ishmael was sent out with his mother to die by Sarah but saved from this fate by the Lord when the child was crying in thirst, and he was made the father of a great nation; Isaac was also going to be sacrificed, and Abraham's hand was stayed in that last moment by the Lord's interference.) The story carries much more of the elements of the story of Ishmael, which is fitting, given the dwarves' role as the illegitimate first child - but not the rightful firstborn - of Middle Earth, but I don't think the parallel to the sacrifice of Isaac was unintentional, either.

[@swordlord1551]

I love your analogies

[@DeHerg]

"What kind of race would you be? " The world was young, the mountains green, no stain yet on the moon was seen. No words were laid on stream or stone, when Durin woke and walked alone...

[@bradgillette9253]

Oh my gosh! As pretty as you are, it's the beauty of your mind and studious skilled linguistics that fascinate me. Please: more! Loving it. Your's, truly, The Rabbit. Cheers

[@JessWLStuart]

I see Hobbits as a concession to Yavanna amongst the Second Born. Of the Second Born, the Hobbits are the ones who love Yavanna's plants and animals the most.

[@jasonrosa5268]

… and yeah !!! Once again I am incredibly in love with you’re dumbing down Tolkien ‘lay e wise” you are definitely a missing entwife!!!!

[@Charles-cs8mv]

It's kinda tempting to me to see dwarves as a collective memory embedded in old tales of the times our ancestors had encounters with Neanderthales.

[@thomaskalinowski8851]

"It wasn't long before one of the Valar found them singing in the starlight." It depends on your definition of "it wasn't long." Apparently several generations of elves were born and grew up and had children of their own before Orome found them.

[@DJBVWA]

Liked and subscribed, and likely going down the rabbit(hobbit?)hole! Even as a child, I found myself drawn to Tolkien's Dwarves.

[@dlseller]

7:51 The first use of 'balgrog' as a verb

[@NamelessKing1597]

I think I have a little bit of Dwarf and a little bit of Ent. Some days I'm stubborn and creative in my cave, sometimes I just want to take a hike in the woods.

[@rayceeya8659]

I have read the Silmarillion multiple times. I was really into it in my 20s.

[@worldmedic3187]

A Dwarven man I'd be. They acquired a thirst and desire for knowledge about the physical world that all should aspire to. Elves can fall off their high horse for all I care.

[@razablanco3766]

You are so beautiful. Your analysis of Tom Bombadil single handly made me purchase LOTR set.

[@MichaelMaxwell747]

Her voice is beautiful too when she sang the song of Tom.

[@bharveymusic]

I literally snorted at "destructive little dumptrucks."

[@darrenhall7454]

I’m so glad I found your channel. Such a great education, I’m learning a lot. 😁👍