That "foulness" you speak of at about 35:35 is what brought me into Tolkien's world. I had read The Hobbit 30-35 years ago and seen the cartoon, but that's all the experience with Tolkien I ever had until the "foulness" began in 2001. Since then, my personal Tolkien book collection has grown from zero to about twenty (around 30 if you include books about Tolkien and/or his works, by authors other than his son). Movies are never carbon copies of books. Can we not enjoy them for what they are in lieu of trashing them at every possible moment? Differences? Yes, always have been, always will be. Superior medium? Almost always the original source material. But that's about all you'll get from me. Loved those movies; love them all the more for making me want to delve deeper into the world of Tolkien.
@fodicky49 жыл бұрын
You are wrong about Galadriel though; she is 3rd generation and not 2nd gen as implied in the lecture. She is the only daughter of Finarfin, third born of Finwe, who himself was an awakened Elf. I will not take the lecture away from you though as it is extremely informative eye opening lecture on the Silmarilion
@squamish424411 жыл бұрын
This lecture really ties the room together.
@ladymoonscar11 жыл бұрын
sweet Eru, i would love to have this as a class!
@squamish424411 жыл бұрын
Guy Gavriel Kay, Neil Gaiman, obviously George RR Martin, Robert Holdstock, Ursula LeGuinn...some writers pull off original stuff. Ironically so many authors have followed Martin's 'dark fantasy' route that there is actually a backlash developing for more Tolkienesque stuff again...essentially Tolkien's work was so comprehensive and covered so many archetypes that in order to completely escape Tolkien you would have to write something that wouldn't be fantasy.
@lonelyqueen8611 жыл бұрын
the chapter when Elwe Singollo meets Melian is one of the most beautiful love scenes in all of literature in my opinion. "She spoke no word; but being filled with love Elwe came to her and took her hand, and straightaway a spell was laid on him, so that they stood thus while long years were measured by the wheeling stars above them; and the trees of Nan Elmoth grew tall and dark before they spoke any word." id love to take a class like this!
@rgaleny11 жыл бұрын
To cope with and respect "the livings" connection to "living nature" is a kind of Stoic idea.
@palisadesk11 жыл бұрын
Tolkien himself on several occasions used the same name for two different Elves. Galdor is one example, Legolas another. Both these names were used for Elves in Gondolin and then reused for *different* Elves in LOTR; there are other examples. Tolkien wrote conflicting things (his opinion changed over time) about elves reincarnating/returning, and about what happens should they choose NOT to return, or choose not to go to the Halls of Mandos, etc. There are complexities you seem unaware of.
@sybillestahl86469 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the discussion of the bond between elves and the earth, and their fate. It's something I wasn't clear on, not even as far as Tolkien explains it.
@squamish424411 жыл бұрын
Tolkien mentions reincarnation in one of his letters, in response to a query about how it could happen in Middle Earth if the mythos was essentially Christian. He basically says that Eru Illuvatar can do whatever he wants and so reincarnation isn't out of the question.
@c33r0k3311 жыл бұрын
Stunning!!! I just heard the first lecture... [off topic]--? I'd Love to hear you lecture on Zenna Henderson's The People, series!! [back to topic] I'm glad you touched on Tom B. many, questions around him. ..he was there before Melkor... He restores the injured/dying showing homage as he does so... He can withstand Melkor beyond all others in Middle Earth...Olórin feels obligated to speak with him before leaving Middle Earth. Perhaps he sees the 'bigger picture' across the ages..
@frenchcookie4211 жыл бұрын
54:00 "Lots of elves have the same name" Respectfully I disagree. The only time it name's have been copied was an early edition of Silmarillion when Glorfindel was going to be unrelated to the the elf in Fellowship but Professor Tolkien changed his mind, and made them one and the same. There was also another Legolas who came from Gondolin, but almost certainly perished. So no elves share the same name, similar maybe but thats it. Feel free to correct me, please.
@joannefisher32816 жыл бұрын
I love the Silmarillion, but this gave some greater clarity to it. Thanks.
@Gamefreak2x911 жыл бұрын
Awesome video! I love The Silmarillion! Great job!
@rgaleny11 жыл бұрын
From the Music of the Anyor, in the discord of Melkor, a play Manifests itself in the life of the Elves.
@DaVoice8511 жыл бұрын
Okay. Thank you for your quick reply. I really appreciate it.
@imagomonkei11 жыл бұрын
What I wouldn't give to have a class like this at my university.
@clc8199011 жыл бұрын
I wish they offered this class at my school
@skairkrowz11 жыл бұрын
hey dr. ted just wanted to say that im a huge fan of your lectures. I love reading tolkien then chilling out drinking a bit late at night and watching your vids. Just wondering have you read A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin? just wondering. hope to here back. best of luck
@connollybob911 жыл бұрын
I think this guy is secretly an Istari. Possibly one of the blue wizards who disappeared early on in the Third Age.
@milantre11 жыл бұрын
if the map at the beginning is that of Beleriand then he makes a mistake when he says that the events concerning The Hobbit and LOTR. They do happen east of that map like he says but then point at the wrong direction, the grey heavens would towards the right side of that map not on the left
@nowthenzen11 жыл бұрын
both of whom informed their literature heavily with religion.
@jackafa9211 жыл бұрын
i wish i had a class like this one :(
@CultOfShinnonism11 жыл бұрын
Hey Dr. Ted, I've seen various quote of Tolkien's either regarding or referencing "subcreation", but I haven't found the... entire puzzle, if you will. Would you happen to have uploaded a video about his theory of subcreation?
@rgaleny11 жыл бұрын
Man is born free but in a deterministic setting.
@connoreberhard876911 жыл бұрын
discussing Tolkien should be a pastime
@JackDanielsCHS0811 жыл бұрын
I wish my school had this... The only class that was offered was Psychology of Harry Potter ;(
Hey Dr. Sherman, I'm loving being able to watch your lectures. I was able to take your Tolkien & Rowling class but none of the others, so being able to see them is a real treat. Could you flip the view of your web cam though? I can't read you writing backwards. :-) Thanks for all your work!
@XST4RSKREAMX11 жыл бұрын
I enjoyed your lecture so much!! Is there a part 2? ( can't find it). I appreciate the thoroughness of your lecture and how you do not overlook even the smallest letter but develop it and explain it very well.
@dmorlan8 жыл бұрын
The Silmarillion is not an easy read. This lecture has a lot of substance, but also a lot of misnomers. It's easier to read from something than to say things on the fly, and without a bunch of easy notes. It's commendable, but (and this IS so understandable) a lot of instances of the wrong names/places being given. Still enjoy the video very much.
@Lengsel711 жыл бұрын
Yes, he came in search of Mt. Dew and hotpockets.
@DaVoice8511 жыл бұрын
This was a great lecture. I have taken up my own study of Tolkien and his writings. I wish I had this couse somewhere close to me. My fiance has had extensive study of CS Lewis and I want to have more knowledge of JRR Tolkien. Is there anywhere I could get these classes online or at least use some of your experience?
@andrewniles111 жыл бұрын
Somehow I think Tolkien was more right about the beginnings of the universe than we shall ever know.
@tedsherman770911 жыл бұрын
I'm not a Tolkien linguistics scholar, but I have been reading Tolkien for 35 years and teaching this material for 20 years. Moreover, I edited Mythlore (a journal of Tolkien and other mythopoeic writers) for 6 years.
@JenniferYa9 жыл бұрын
Hi, I know I might get berated for asking this, but does anyone know/remember anything in this lecture that relates to Melkor, Mairon, Curumo, Eöl, Maeglin, or Fëanor & his sons, preferably something about light/darkness (or good/evil)? Thank you in advance :)
@TengwarTeacher8 жыл бұрын
This makes me want my copy that is at home so bad....argh!
@ippolytos111 жыл бұрын
Is the map backwards?
@morthim5 жыл бұрын
i think the video is backwards since he is lecturing in english and writing right to left.
@EddieFoShow199111 жыл бұрын
very few people i'd like to meet out of admiration, pronounced Toll keen, (phonetically)
@DynomitePunch11 жыл бұрын
Excuse me Dr. Sherman, but could you tell me what kind of class you teach? thanksin advance, just curious
@andrewniles111 жыл бұрын
Perhaps he is the father of the Istari Wizards earthly bodies! I can dream cant I?
@grossepointemichigan11 жыл бұрын
But not incarnation of humans. It happens occasionally with the Elves.
@nowthenzen11 жыл бұрын
why not both?
@FrenkMelk10 жыл бұрын
ya blew it.
@rgaleny11 жыл бұрын
Nirvana. Fill the whole with your Buddha nature (Virtue) And with Void (Stillness).
@grossepointemichigan11 жыл бұрын
It's actually pronounced TALL-keen (courtesy of hearing it directly from Christopher Tolkien during a lecture in Oxford).
@GrossInsubordination11 жыл бұрын
Ulmo dwells by himself because he is all wet and stuff, lol
@kxmode11 жыл бұрын
Or he's really into Tolkien's works.
@strangerthanknown11 жыл бұрын
Is this a Literature course? Or a Religious Studies Course?
@grossepointemichigan11 жыл бұрын
From what college or university?
@EddieFoShow199111 жыл бұрын
the big le bowski of J.R.R.Tolkien
@ezeyouchannel11 жыл бұрын
He doesn't understand the concept of the Elves and their binding to the world either, that they die but come back and take up their old names, that's in the book, but he says oh no Elves get 'recycled' and they reuse the names over and over, like Joe Smith! NO!!! If a name repeats it's because that particular Elf came back after death, Glorfindel for example! He didn't even know where the Elves awoke! Not a great authority on Tolkien at all!
@EddieFoShow199111 жыл бұрын
well you showed me, ;)
@squamish424411 жыл бұрын
Khal Drogo - Drogo Baggins Samwell Tarly - Samwise Gamgee The Night's Watch - The Dunedain Old Valyria - Numenor Boromir dies in the middle
@shgfe3ay11 жыл бұрын
is it possible to use your videos on our Feanor page? facebook.com/ FeanorOfficial?
@cuchulain5511 жыл бұрын
beleriand is north west of the rest of middle earth.
@ComradeStanimir11 жыл бұрын
Ascalon is Biblical, as well.
@SuperLawilson9 жыл бұрын
Wish he could pay UAB a visit. I would love to have some engaging conversations about Tolkien. Mind visiting the UAB Pharmacology Department for fun? Lunch is on me. Cheers!
@tfrosini11 жыл бұрын
lol
@kxmode11 жыл бұрын
I really get sick of fantasy because it's ripped off so much. For example Malchor (or what the name sounds like) is a pivotal character in the lore of Guild Wars. He was one of the foremost sculptors of statues to the six gods of humanity in GW. His love for Dwayna was so great that it drove him to madness and finally suicide. I thought this was unique to Guild Wars... turns out it, like everything else, is copied from Tolkien. :-/
@saminatariq5617 жыл бұрын
kxmode it's melkor lol..malchor means thief(of money) in urdu
@ezeyouchannel11 жыл бұрын
Agh, that was awful when he says about Varda, this guy has clearly not looked into the basics of Elvish, he can't pronounce half of the names and that attempt at the Elbereth prayer was ghastly! I'm not a Tolkien scholar but I have been reading his work for 13 years so I know a thing or 2 about it! This guy just seems like he's picked up the book and decided to do a lecture on it on a whim!
@JackDanielsCHS0811 жыл бұрын
fail troooooll
@dpbloss11 жыл бұрын
This guy is seriously deluded. I have a Doctorate in Tolkien studies and I'm very embarrassed.
@iOctaviousSage11 жыл бұрын
I apologize but the pronunciation and explanation hurts my senses. Sorry:(
@jreal30727 жыл бұрын
If only we studied the Bible with as much fervor. If only we could recite the fruits of the Holy Spirit as easily as the first beings of this made up universe.
@richardwanker19587 жыл бұрын
Tolkien's works bear more truth than your goofy Bible.
@richardwanker19587 жыл бұрын
I don't believe in your God, so, yeah, like I said...
@rgaleny11 жыл бұрын
Reincarnation. Is it Christian? If GOD, Himself, can make Jesus turn up as a picture on a piece of toast, and cause the Sun and the rain to fall on the just and the unjust, then He can Reincarnate you if He wants to.
@tedsherman770911 жыл бұрын
Yes, Beleriand is to the west of Middle-earth in the 3rd age. Or, to put it another way, Middle-earth is to the east of Beleriand in the first age. If I misspoke, I apologize--it happens sometimes.
@tedsherman770911 жыл бұрын
This lecture was for a course on the inklings.
@tedsherman770911 жыл бұрын
The elves can die and later be reincarnated after a period of time in the Halls of Mandos. No one else is allowed that opportunity. The flip side, of course, is that the Elves are tied to Arda--their fate is bound up with the fate of Arda, so when at the end of time the world is unmade/remade, the elves have no place in it. This is why they are so curious about the "gift of death" to men, which they do not understand.
@tedsherman770911 жыл бұрын
No, not a specific assignment. The lectures lead up to an essay examination.
@tedsherman770911 жыл бұрын
How? Seriously, point out where I'm wrong. You say "that's in the book." That's in what book? The Silmarillion? If I said they reuse names, then I spoke in haste and incorrectly. Some of what I say about the elves is based on Tolkien's unpublished drafts of the essay "On Fairy-Stories." I have basically a day or two to cover the Silmarillion, so I can't cover everything. I've been teaching Tolkien for over 20 years and reading him for 35 years.
@tedsherman770911 жыл бұрын
I go into Tolkien's theory of subcreation in my lectures on his essay "On Fairy-Stories."
@tedsherman770911 жыл бұрын
Unfortunately, I have not yet developed this as an online course.
@tedsherman770911 жыл бұрын
yes, i know it's flipped.
@tedsherman770911 жыл бұрын
How? Seriously, point out where I'm wrong. I have basically a day or two to cover the Silmarillion, so I can't cover everything. I've been teaching Tolkien for over 20 years and reading him for 35 years.
@Splucked7 жыл бұрын
+Ted Sherman No disrespect intended, but how can you study/teach Tolkien for decades and not know the correct pronunciation of his name or the names of his characters?
@tedsherman770911 жыл бұрын
I started the first Martin novel when it first came out and got maybe 100 pages into before I stopped it. It just didn't keep my interest.