The Complete Philosophy of The Lord of the Rings

[@LikeStoriesofOld]

Hey everyone! I’m excited to present this remastered cut of my original breakdown of the philosophy of The Lord of the Rings from a couple of years back. Due to the limitations I had at the time, I had to break the video up in 2 parts. But in hindsight, I kind of regretted it because I do believe it’s best experienced as a single story. I also corrected a few minor mistakes and did a full re-recording of the audio as I made the original videos when I was still working with a crappy mic while sitting in a closet, and I think I can do much better now. All in all, The Lord of the Rings remains such a rich and timeless work, and I’m still really proud of the script of wrote for my video about it, and so I just wanted to make sure it can be enjoyed - both by newcomers and by longtime fans of the channel - in the best possible version of itself. And as always: if you want to support my work and get access to the LSOO Discord server, annotated videos and other fun extras, please consider donating to my Patreon page: www.patreon.com/LikeStoriesofOld Thanks!

[@yosconisi]

I'm old, I started watching cartoons. In those, Gandalf was played by the director John Huston, whose voice is masterful

[@croutendo2050]

Sounds similar to how Tolkien wanted his work released in a single "cut" but had to release it in 3 books due to publishing constraints of the time.

[@WhatIsSanity]

It's definitely an improvement of an already fine work.

[@iamrubenmes]

Beautiful

[@mattsavigny6084]

Wow, you really made me finally understand many of the deeper meanings and subtexts of TLOTR, like the christian meaning of it. I didn't get that until now. Thank you.

[@waveplay3978]

Theoden's final words "I go to my fathers, in whose mighty company I shall not now feel ashamed"....this hits so hard.

[@islandsicedtea]

It’s so beautiful isnt it

[@Alejojojo6]

That's specially touching after he burried his son, and Gandalf said "He was strong in life. His spirit will find it's way to the hall of your fathers"

[@dylanmonstrum1538]

He died an ULTIMATE warrior. Fighting after acknowledging that they WILL NOT be victorious, that it's impossible... and being victorious anyway. Ensuring that Men will survive, instead of being killed by the black hordes of Mordor. Bruh, I can't think of a better way to die.

[@Danaluni59]

Truly he was of Broheimian stock

[@chefbranislavblagojevic3044]

But Theoden was more of a poet than a warior. So much conflict in him almost brought ruin to his people

[@lewislewis3531]

Boromir became one of my favourite characters after my mate said "we all want to be Aragon, but most of us are Boromir". He is a skilled warrior, Gondor's champion and a virtuous man corrupted by power. That said, he fails but gets an opportunity to redeem himself, at the cost of his life

[@rebeccacurious]

Agreed. i have always regretfully identified with Boromir if I had to choose a character

[@M0rmagil]

He tried to redeem himself, but The Ring is perilous. Oaths in Middle Earth are serious business, and taking one moves fate in ways it doesn’t in our world.

[@ChrisStavros]

Let's face it, saying "most of us" are Boromir is flattering most of us. Most of us are either Barliman Butterbur or Bill Ferny, depending on which side of the moral fence you fall on.

[@jonasrmb01]

Boromir was much more noble, brave and strong physically and mentally than most of us Also most of us do not carry the responsibility of an entire army and nation on our backs

[@lewislewis3531]

@@jonasrmb01also none of us are as badass as Sean Bean! It's funny, I'm working on a novel and think a lot about storytelling, and something I keep coming back to is how different TLOTR would be had Boromir survived Fellowship (I am by no means a Tolkien scholar, this is just for fun). Had Boromir survived, in The Two Towers he'd have aided Aragon in defending Helm's Deep. In Return Of The King he would accompany Gandalf and Pippin to Gondor and convince his father of the threat. Boromir commands the White City's forces, freeing Gandalf to better repel the Nazgul and reduce casualities. Faramir isn't sent on a suicide run. When Aragon arrives with additional forces, the Gondor losses aren't as bad. Boromir greets Aragon as friend and King. I'd love to hear how others think Boromir's survival would have impacted the story.

[@houston-coley]

This is a phenomenal video. In my experience, many commentaries and analysis videos of LOTR tend to treat Tolkien’s religious subtext with an almost eye-rolling triviality or something to brush under the rug and chuckle about. I’m really thankful for a video that delves into the Christian influences in an honest and rich way.

[@SirMattomaton]

"tend to treat Tolkien’s religious subtext with an almost eye-rolling triviality or something to brush under the rug and chuckle about" Any one who makes commentaries on Tolkien's work and the importance of the foundational beliefs is an intellectual deadbeat at *best* ... Maliciously ignorant at worst.

[@Sal3600]

Eyeroll comment.

[@oremstale8558]

@@Sal3600 ?

[@davidhimmelfahrt3732]

True

[@davidhimmelfahrt3732]

@@Sal3600 =(

[@blingkid6]

A story that makes life worth living in a world rife with evil and despair. Truly one of the only films that makes me feel like I'm not alone.

[@happyguy5165]

I send much love - there is good and even connection in this world, and it’s worth fighting for ❤️

[@hoorayimhelping3978]

Have you considered reading the book that influenced the values of the story that makes life worth living, namely the Bible? Lord of the Rings is to the Bible as the dwarves are to the elves - strong and powerful in its own right, but a pale comparison to the glory and splendor of the real thing that it's imitating.

[@wandamundy1759]

@hoorayimhelpung3976 - WRONG !! Tolkien, himself, denied over & over & over - that "The Lord of The Rings" was based on either The Bible or the events of WWII - which is where & when he started writing it. He flatly stated many times - no matter how often people tried to pidgeon-hole him on this - that it was NOT an allegory - that he "wholeheartedly DETESTED” allegory in all its forms. Try reading ABOUT Tolkien - pay attention to what HE said - about what HE had in mind . . . rather than superimposing your own obsession over his writing.

[@officialtbhoops]

@@wandamundy1759 he didn’t base the story on the Bible. However, Tolkien admitted that his Christian faith heavily influenced the series. Because of this, I think anyone who is a diehard fan of his books should look into the book where the values displayed originate from.

[@NovelPhoinixTheSecond]

​@officialthomasjames Nah, the Bible is a mediocre fantasy book at best...

[@danrubin4506]

A gorgeous presentation. As an interpreter of Tolkien, who corresponded with him, while developing a dramatic version of The Hobbit as an episodic radioplay, I deeply appreciate this reading of his intent. Thank you.

[@tammygant4216]

Hi ya, Is that version of the Hobbit radioplay available anywhere?

[@noelstarchild]

Me too sir.

[@Yee-Haw-MMA]

That’s really cool, what an honor! Would have loved to meet him myself, but unfortunately he had long passed before I was born

[@SolDizZo]

I've always taken to the hobbit story over most everything else. I've played every game, too. I'd be wildly interested in the dramatic radioplay version!

[@cregenda]

I looked up “Dan Rubin Hobbit” and this comment is legit. Thank you Dan.

[@TitanishSpirit]

No story I've read, seen or heard moves me in the same way as this trilogy of books and movies continues to do every time I sit to experience them again. The dangers in the journey, the courage to rise to the occasion and heroism of the common man, the sacrifices and bonds of friendship and duty. I truly love these movies and they will never cease to bring me to tears. This story is true. Do not forget that there's some good in this world, it's worth fighting for, and even the smallest of us can be a powerful force in the pursuit of it if we choose to hold onto hope.

[@zynnfindo4776]

Timeless

[@cosmicman621]

..it’s worth fighting for...refined and TRUE 🔥🌹

[@lss922]

What I love about English literature is the recurrent humble but thoroughly convincing focus on the quality and virtue the common man is capable of. Italian literature in comparison is pompous and conceited.

[@sorcerercybaeus7039]

@@lss922 that’s cause English comes from Germanic traditions. Tacitus wrote a great commentary on the Germanic tribes and the honorable traditions.

[@baustin11111]

"My friends, you bow to no one" 19 years on and I still get choked up

[@DailyDoseOfInternet]

Thank you for making this 😊

[@raymk]

this is a one-in-a-lifetime dose of internet

[@confusedfrodo]

common ddoi W

[@gurg6950]

You make my day just a little bit better

[@cat_pb]

omg DDOI

[@Chlef]

wow didnt expect you to be here

[@leloupdessteppes3228]

Tolkien's spirituality and values managed to touch me so deeply that since I saw the movies and read his books I stayed completely obsessed by it. His work is unique and touches this "truth and light" that many of us were looking for. He managed to reconcile myself with the Christian ethos which I almost thought would be impossible. Thank you Tolkien.

[@iamrubenmes]

Indeed he has ❤

[@UntoTheDepths]

@@stephenlaing2152 someone's salty

[@cosmicman621]

Good for you Brother...Safe Passage🐝🌈💫🌹

[@UntoTheDepths]

@@stephenlaing2152 so u admit to being a slave working the salt mines. What a nice life u must lead, ya cheeky lil salty bugga!

[@UntoTheDepths]

@@stephenlaing2152 you insulted the OG commenter (not their face btw) so I called you out, now your big mad at me? "_Oh no, a nobody online called me salty, now I want to beat them up IRL._" Cringe.

[@NASkeywest]

THATS IT! When Peter Jackson said “We are going to film this movie as if it were real and actually happened.” The trilogy is so good because it’s so realistic. It doesn’t feel like a fantasy, it feels like a real battle and real world.

[@johnboy4025]

Also, look back in Tolkien and his experience with WWI. History first hand. And the Ents represent the Americans who dragged their feet to help end the war. History :)

[@MrBurns-ww4bs]

⁠@@johnboy4025Tolkien has said that he didn’t want his book compared to what he went through in his time, that he believes all the events he wrote would’ve been the same and hardly impacted by his experience through the war. I believe he says this as a note before the first book begins. He also references his distaste for allegories in this section(might be easier to search for)

[@DavidJr.11]

Yeah you got it right 👌

[@TaylorWilmes]

@@johnboy4025dragged feet? America won both wars and fought harder than any country.

[@scoliosis9478]

@@TaylorWilmesthats not true. America was neither inconsequential in either war, nor did they fight the hardest. In WW1 that honor probably goes to France who lost an entire generation on The Western Front and in WW2 would have to probably go to the USSR or China both of whom saw their countries occupied and deaths in the tens of millions. Comparatively, we in America were an ocean away from any meaningful threat and lost very few casualties. However our material and financial support was crucial to both wars and our soldiers definitely helped to turn the tides but to say we fought the hardest is not correct.

[@dedf15]

I never understood Galadriel's sacrifice before; I thought it was merely another "girl boss" moment when she chooses the "mom life" over the "power of domination", but the fact that she was sacrificing the life of Lothlorien itself, makes her so much more of a tragic, deep, and beautiful character than before. Thank you so much for explaining this so well!

[@lamascararota666]

There is also the fact that (in most versions) she was exiled, so by relinquishing the Ring she also accepted to fade herself. Middle-earth is in a constant state of decay and elves who remain there are doomed to fade. Not only was she giving up Lothlorien, by refusing the Ring, but was also dooming herself to fade, or at least she thought so. She was only allowed to return to Valinor due to an extraordinary pardon for her refusal of the Ring

[@ishmaelforester9825]

The long defeat. There is hope for men in Middle Earth. Not elves. They left us

[@hoorayimhelping3978]

@@lamascararota666 yes! Galadriel refusing the ring completes like a 4,000+ year arc that started when she was young and arrogant and defied the Valar by going to Middle Earth.

[@G-Blockster]

​@lamascararota666 Actually, the Noldor,l and all of the Elves of Middle Earth were welcomed back to Valinor after the War of Wrath that ended the First Age. Galadriel, Thranduil, Celeborn, and all the other Elves remaining in Middle Earth, did so of their own free will. They weren't quite ready to give it up until the end of the Third (or Fourth) Age.

[@wildfire9280]

@@ishmaelforester9825 It seems to me it is rather that Elves were not intended for Middle Earth to begin with. At the least, not after the marring of Arda by Morgoth. They were called to Valinor after their awakening, and that blessed realm is now accessible only to their ships.

[@MinimumEffortMedia]

“A single dream is more powerful than a thousand realities.” J. R. R. Tolkien

[@bluewhitespartan5258]

This will be proofen wrong when we managed to destroy the real world.

[@metastase895]

Except not.

[@hairglowingkyle4572]

@@metastase895 Except it is, especially nowadays. In a objective and technical perspective, creativity and innovation is what makes the world go round, and whether you like it or not successful innovations can significantly help humanity live a better life overall in many ways.

[@jollyjokress3852]

Oh yes.

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

"Reflect upon the Past. Embrace your Present. Orchestrate our Futures." -- Artemis 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨ "Before I start, I must see my end. Destination known, my mind’s journey now begins. Upon my chariot, heart and soul’s fate revealed. In time, all points converge, hope’s strength re-steeled. But to earn final peace at the universe’s endless refrain, We must see all in nothingness... before we start again." 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨ --Diamond Dragons (series)

[@nursharabi4699]

It was a incredible experience, i haven't shed a tear In months ever since my release from the army. Thank you my friend for moving something inside of me, something I forgot existed.

[@springbreak2021]

Good luck out there, my friend!

[@Blexg]

dude same bro. I never really understood LOTR beyond cool sword fights, but after the service and a tour in Afghanistan I can't get through these movies without crying constantly. It's wild how you see yourself in so many different characters--but above all I ended up seeing myself in Frodo. I wish I could express how fucking insanely scared you are when you first start going out. Just this dread that makes you want to hide from what’s coming, what I imagine hiding from a Nazgûl is like. Realizing that you’re about to lose everything you ever had and everything you ever will, and it’ll be a horribly painful experience and the earth will swallow you and you’ll be nothing-and you know it’ll happen because you see it happen to people around you. Just paralyzing fear that you can’t move bc every step feels like a step closer to turning into some dead body that’s all limp with limbs pointing in weird unnatural directions and flies walking around on your eyeballs This fear that is slowly eroding away at your when you go on missions and you feel so tiny compared to all these weapons that'll blow you to pieces if you step in the wrong spot or these AKs that'll rip holes in your body because the rounds are so big. Just scared as fuck bro, but you keep going because that's what your bros need from you, and you end up putting one foot in front of the other. LOTR to me is about enduring, and about doing the right thing at the right time for the right reasons because there's good in the world worth preserving, and that all of your actions echo throughout eternity. When i think of the ending scene when Aragorn tells the hobbits not to kneel, and instead kneels to them, i fucking bawl thinking of all the dudes who did the right thing to make the world a better place, and never got acknowledged because that wasn't why they did it. Just scared out of your fucking mind, but you still do what's right because you have hope that things may not be perfect, but they may be better, and you may not be the best guy for the job, but you may be the only one. What gives light must endure burning, and the meaning of life is not to take as much as you can with you, but to leave as much as you can behind to keep the flame alive in others.

[@keiichimorisato98]

I just joined the army recently, a lot of the themes of the LotR have been completely recontextualized.

[@magiv4205]

Man, I feel almost shy to intrude, but all you guys' stories deeply moved me deeply. How I wish that we as a species could some day grow past the need for wars and violence, past sending poor, scared people to die for the victory of no one but those who play their selfish games with us as pawns. There are no victors in war, only those who are left and broken promises. I feel such pity for you for having to endure what you did and still do. Growing up dreaming to be Aragorn, until realizing that you're Boromir or Frodo is, I think, a journey so many of us make, and for you, it was probably a lot more literal than for most. I'm not religious myself, but hope is universal. And so it is my deepest hope that you can cling onto or one day rekindle that hope in yourself and heal from what you've been through.

[@enkiandenlil]

Check out Mark Passio’s KZbin channel on the cult of ultimate evil

[@jarismeixner2473]

I would give anything just to thank Tolkien and Peter Jackson to bring me these beautiful trilogies that really brought tears to my eyes.

[@rga1605]

I see Éowyn's charcter arc as a contrast to the stereotype of "strong female character" that is common in certain movies, that one must strip the strong female character of her feminity and make her kick butt. Éowyn's realization isn't "women shouldn't fight", but rather "violence sucks, even when it's used wisely; there are greater things than it". And, as you showed, this is part of a wider moral in the entire series that Tolkien knew very well, due to personal experiences.

[@jogadorjnc]

I'm pretty sure LOTR is older than that stereotype. Tolkien wasn't making a statement against the stereotype, he was just saying that women belong in the kitchen. It wasn't a statement about how women can do anything, instead it was a statement that regardless of how well they do in men's roles women should and will regress to women's roles always. Which isn't surprising, it's an old trilogy based on the Bible.

[@xerotonin6776]

Good men who've had strong wives and bad men who've had theirs put them in place have known for ages the strength of a woman go far beyond roles in either they find purpose or rebel against. And that strength has and Is found within and not by indoctrination to fight against feigned Injustices never suffered.

[@Jehphg]

@@jogadorjnc tell me you didn't watch the video without telling me you didn't watch the video

[@hellomate639]

It's also part of the feminine aspect of wisdom, something that is truly marvelous.

[@deedL3]

​@@jogadorjnc the fact that the whole point, Tolkien valuing MORAL victory over physical/apparent victory, went over your head; men who just value fighting and glory and all that bs and say "women belong in the kitchen" ARE the problem LMAO

[@yourmusicguru]

Tolkien was a man with a profound understanding of God. He knew answers to questions that still plague many today. These answers often go unnoticed by the reader/viewer, but it didn’t get past you. Kudos, and God bless.

[@Siegfried5846]

I am starting to suspect that there is a dark subtext to those books. I am still unsure, but I will go back and read them with a critical eye.

[@naturesfinest2408]

​@hypnotictango2464 what dark subtext?

[@Siegfried5846]

@@naturesfinest2408 Some are saying that there is a not-European message in the books. I didn't see it when I read them, so now I would like to go back and read them again to find out once and for all.

[@naturesfinest2408]

@@Siegfried5846 what was their main point(s) of their argument?

[@rafaeldejesus3320]

@@Siegfried5846 God in the bible is very personal, in the lord of the ring is distance and don't say what is right and wrong litarely. The world was build not by the mind of eru (like God in the bible) but by music, weird because satan is well know for his deep knowledge of music. There are good magic and bad magic, in the biblie any magic is bad magic. Worship (put any emotion) of star, moon, sun you are already dead in the bible you see this all the time in the book. Tolkien mutilated and transformed the devil and Jesus in images, Aragorn is king, healer, Frodo the sacrifice lamb, Gandalf is the erudite, resurrected and prophet jesus is everything in once, morgoth satan in his initial rebelion, sauron satan in his last and pathetic form. You have to be crazy to say the book is about christianity at all the themes yes but how is ported no, i want the weed tolkien used is good book yes, was a good book about chistianity hell no!!!! OBS: i do can write a book just to show everything that is wrong about lord of the ring if compare to bible. OBS: sorry for anything english is not my first language.

[@aslakgurnirsson1685]

A popular sentiment regarding the Lord of the Rings that you see time and time again on the internet is that Frodo was weak, and that Sam is the real hero since he carries Frodo the last bit up to the heart of Mount doom. Every time that I see this sentiment I'm a bit put off, since the person who expresses it both has misguided notions about strength and weakness and didn't understand the story. Frodo wasn't strong enough to throw away the ring willingly, it is also true that Frodo wouldn't have made it all the to the heart of Mount Doom without Sam, but that was not because Frodo was weak. No one could have made that journey alone, and it is pretty clear that no one would have thrown away the ring willingly. As this video explains in a beautiful way Sauron is not defeated because the strength of any particular one individual, or despite the weakness of Frodo, but rather because the members of the fellowship among others dared to stand up for what was good and beautiful in the world. They endured, showed tenacity, compassion toward others and willingness to sacrifice for something greater than themselves. For Frodo the sacrifice was too great, which meant that he ultimately had to leave his friends and family in Middle Earth behind and travel to Valinor. That a lot of people doesn't see that and just go "lol Frodo got carried, Sam the real hero" is kind of sad to me since they obviously didn't understand what makes the Lord of the Rings resonate with so many people. Thank you for the video.

[@philippalinton5850]

This false perception of Frodo as being weak, and not worthy of Sam's loyalty and devotion, is very much the fault of the films though. Book Frodo is wiser, stronger and braver. Tolkien makes it clear in the Letters that Frodo's failure to destroy the Ring was not a moral failure. Although there is much I love and appreciate about the films, I will never understand why Peter Jackson thought it was a good idea to wimpify Frodo's character.

[@lss922]

Tolkien did say that Sam is the real hero of the story though? I agree on the rest btw

[@philippalinton5850]

@@lss922 Tolkien didn't say Sam was the 'real hero'. He said he was the 'chief hero' - a subtle but important difference. He also called Frodo the hero. I first read LotR years before the films came out: I've always regarded Frodo and Sam as equally heroic - they're a team.

[@aslakgurnirsson1685]

@@lss922 Did he? He could have said that Sam displayed the most admirable quualities since he displays both bravery and humility. I doubt Tolkien misunderstood his own story, which he would have if he said that characters that did heroic things weren't 'real' heroes, since that would be the implication if Sam was the real hero.

[@artugert]

The mission could not have been completed without all nine of the fellowship (except, perhaps Legolas?), as well as Elrond, Galadriel, Treebeard and the Ents, Gollum, and many others. Many things had to fall into place just right, or else the mission would have failed. The hobbits would've barely made it much further than the Shire without Tom Cotton and Tom Bombadil saving their lives. But I would say that perhaps Gandalf played the biggest role of anyone in Middle Earth. If not for him, Bilbo never would have given up the Ring, Frodo never would have left the Shire, the fellowship wouldn't have made it out of Moria alive, there wouldn't have been the final battle at Mordor's gates, etc. But Frodo being the Ringbearer was absolutely crucial. It may be the case that nobody else could have done it but him. But he also couldn't have done it without Sam. It had to be the two of them, as well as Gollum, at the cracks of Mount Doom. I don't think the deed could have been accomplished any other way. Of course, it looks like a fool's journey, bound to fail. But after much deliberation at the Council of Elrond, they conclude that it is their only hope. Of course, Boromir doesn't agree, but without him, the fellowship wouldn't have broken up, which was probably also essential to the success of the mission, though nobody could've foreseen it, except Iluvatar, of course. And because Gandalf is a servant of the Secret Fire, he knows that things will work out, and he helps others have faith that it will work out, too. That, in itself, was perhaps the most important role of all. Especially during the journey through Mordor, it was extremely difficult for Frodo to not give up. Perhaps he couldn't have done it without the encouragement of Gandalf, and of course, Sam. Anyway, I think Sam did an exceptional job, but so did Frodo. If they were to switch places, I don't think either of them could have played the role of the other one. This turned out pretty long. Probably no one will read it all. Haha.

[@BeyondYore]

It amazes me, how Tolkien never seizes to present us with new, timeless insights about ourselves and the world around us. Thanks to videos like yours I always find aspects of his work, that I previously didn't recognize or comprehend in their entirety. It is among the things that elevate Tolkien far above most fantasy authors, that he offers a grown and well founded perspective on the struggles of our personal lives, hidden within a realistic yet mythical world, far more than just a plain simplistic conflict between good and evil or a saving-the-world-story, which is often thrown at him by critics. There is barely a concept or an idea, that his stories do not touch upon. Temptation, Failure, Loss, Depression, Innocence, Love, Religion, Sacrifice, Mercy, Responsibility, War, Authority, Freedom, Loyalty, Honour, Courage, Strength, Mortality, Good and Evil... The list is endless. It is like no matter what you are searching for, you might find it in his pages if you were looking closely.

[@mosart7025]

@@stephenlaing2152 I've been saying that since the movies came out! Yes, they were filmed beautifully, yes the music was great... but... Ugh. I wish I had never seen them. (well only the first one. When I saw that botch up I refused to watch the others). The "movie" in my mind was much better!

[@thomasmiller8289]

@@stephenlaing2152 ah i see this is more of a crusade for you, in which case i doubt anythings getting through to you. Art and life are complex. Many stories may be enjoyed on many layers. Why complain when someone enjoys a different layer from yourself - heck you might see something interesting as a result. This and many other stories are deeper both in the authors intentions and in the readers interpretations - both important but neither can claim sole ownership. Ill simply hope that as you grow as a person alongside the rest of us you’ll come to see that and be enriched as a result. Lastly, claiming Tolkien’s stories are “just fantasy stories” is a highly confusing statement. You dismiss the entire genre but then argue so loudly and rudely to protect your vision of it… why are you here??? What are you even doing???

[@onceinawhile7]

@@thomasmiller8289 Stephen Laing breathes air but denies its very existence

[@glanni]

I cried like 5 separate times during this video! Well done! It touched the right spot in my heart these days 💖

[@letosgoldenpath1993]

Just adding to this, these video essays give me hope in humanity. Real humanity. In our empty modernity and materialistic existence, these videos continue to remind me that what is truly great are the profound, the intangible, the spiritual essence of what being human truly is. Thanks for producing these. It is fuel for the soul, hope in the dark, and the light to a better future we all need to aspire to envision and create.

[@martacollell]

@@letosgoldenpath1993 ....loving your nickname :D One of my favorite books from Herbet's Saga ^^

[@BruceSmith-zn9pr]

Yes. But there's something in these Like Stories of Old videos that nearly always brings a tear to my eye, often when I don't even know why.

[@kimhaas7586]

THANK you for finally explaining Eowyn and her character arc as being similar to Faramir’s. Tolkien is no CS Lewis. This is not Narnia. Tolkien admires Eowyn’s courage and skill. The point he is making is that’s not the only important thing in the world. When the war was over, there was still healing and that’s when she and Faramir can drop their guard and enjoy life. It’s not about gender. Tolkien is rather sympathetic to eowyn’s POV.

[@DaveT383]

This is very true, especially what you've said about Lewis and Narnia. LOTR is so much richer.

[@cuebj]

​@Meegwun Applesxand iranges. Narnia is children's stories by someone who didn't have children but wrote as if for himself when he was a child (when he invented a world in a box). Hobbit was children's story by someone who had several children. LoTR and Silmarillion was, among other things, an exercising in inventing a parallel world to the world he was a world expert in, namely Norse Western European mythology and language. Lewis wrote other more adult stuff, including an unfinished horror sci-fi story, The Dark Tower.

[@user-wi9hv2pb2q]

in the books she is completely conflicted as well in a very realistic way. Not even Gandalf, aragon, and eomer can agree on her motivation. desperation? love? honor? despair? all of the above.

[@krkngd-wn6xj]

People learn that Tolkien was an ardent Catholic, and immediately analyse his works as somehow representing the typical Catholic views of the time. Besides Tolkien himself rejecting that, it is hard to argue he had the typical views of Catholics of his time. I'm not doubting the man's piety, but his vast knowledge of history, and life experiences in the World War formed his views in a way that's far too unique to be put into a box as simple as "20th centuru Catholicism".

[@unexpectedTrajectory]

Check out Planet Narnia by Michael Ward. You're selling the Narniad short.

[@Giuseppe_1994]

My uncle showed my brother and myself the fellowship when I was in 2nd grade and my brother 5th. He would pause the movie incrementally and try to explain a scene as any times as needed or whenever we had questions. We were able to catch the next two in theaters with him. Ive legit grown up with this trilogy and it feels more like visiting an old friend whenever I catch it on TNT from time to time.

[@p1nc3r95]

One of the best commentaries and analysis of lord of the rings I've ever seen. Truthful, analytical and yet deeply moving and timeless as the stories themselves. It makes sense that Tolkien treated these stories as possible truths to our modern world and how its a cycle of fact, history, myth, legend and interpretation. It's always been the story that touched me most growing up and still does.

[@Treshure]

I think Iluvatar's quote from the Ainulindalë summarizes best the theme of this video and of Tolkien's greater work: "...thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined." Both Iluvatar's divine right to honor and the machinations of good versus evil are all laid out here. Evil is not something that damages Good, but ultimately serves as opportunities of redemption and strife, that in turn result in even greater majesty previously inconceivable. Every act of Evil only serves to eventually redeem itself through Good.

[@WhatIsSanity]

Should people also try and fail in a materialistic way to overcome that evil, it usually finds itself alone amidst it's own destruction. All that remains is twisted visions of what was before and that which it has yet to conquer. Ultimately evil cannot sustain itself indefinitely, regardless of how powerful it becomes.

[@islab2458]

And this is so much better than saying "Everything happens for a reason." It's not that badness exists Because it was Meant to be an opportunity, necessarily, but more that one can chose to interpret it that way if and when they can manage it. Even without believing in the Christian god, this reframing is at the heart of good, practical therapy: Choosing to at least Consider that every bad thing is as much (if not more) of an opportunity for good things to be derived or created.

[@WhatIsSanity]

@@islab2458 Some things are just terrible, unfair and beyond justification. A huge part of therapy when dealing with trauma is accepting that what was done to you is wrong and unfair. Injustice is real and no amount of reframing can transform an atrocity into a silver lining. Regardless of how a person reacts to ill doing, the initial act was still best avoided in the first place.

[@cosmicman621]

@@WhatIsSanity ...well said.Yes of course that’s the Heart of the Quest/Question 🔥🌹 to my mind...

[@WhatIsSanity]

@@cosmicman621 Thank you for your kind words.

[@darklordots]

I’m trying so hard not to cry right now. Thank you and God bless you for making such an outstanding video, for illuminating the depth in Tolkien’s mythology. This is by far the BEST video I have ever seen on this subject matter. I’m certain to watch this video many times over to remind myself how great Tolkien’s work truly is! Peace and love to you all 🙌✨

[@SeanArington]

I've been a fan of LOTR since childhood, and I've read it many times. Never have I understood the core meaning of the tale as well as I do now, after hearing your wonderful, insightful explanation. Well done and THANK YOU!

[@MsNathanv]

To my knowledge, there are two well-known authors who write about rings of invisibility. There's Tolkien, and about two thousand years earlier, there's Plato. As a classically educated academic, Tolkien would of course be well acquainted with Plato. In Plato's version, the ring is the center of a discussion about what it means to be virtuous. Such a ring would let you get away with any crime imaginable. Would it be possible for anyone to remain virtuous if they had such power? If it wouldn't, does that mean that our own virtue is an illusion that we can hold onto only so long as our own power is limited? These seem like questions in which Tolkien is interested.

[@nathanlandolt5505]

The Ring of Gyges. Yes written by Plato but credit given to Socrates

[@Siegfried5846]

Tolkien got the ring from Wagner, not Plato.

[@laggrenade863]

@@Siegfried5846 As if Wagner could not have also been inspired by plato, or that two sources can be used for inspiration. Not to mention that the ring cycle is also about greed, as the ring in that story gives the wielder power to rule the world, the other major effect the ring has

[@Siegfried5846]

@@laggrenade863 No, Wagner got the ring from the Volsungasaga. If you have evidence that he took inspiration from Plato, please send it to me, as I am fascinated to find out more in that case.

[@christiangheorghita2101]

It is with overwhelming sorrow to think that there will never be a movie with this much respect, depth, true and pure commitment to the source material ever again. The only thing RoP achieved is to serve as a barometer, to eternally remind us how far we’ve strayed off the road of peak artistry. Thank you Tolkien and everyone who put their best into making this trilogy. Through your commitment and humility you’ve managed to immortalize and spread a story about how to strive to be a better person. I’m afraid no future collaborations will ever succeed in stepping out of your shadow. Thank you deeply for the analysis as well

[@philippalinton5850]

I find this reaction so interesting. I saw the films multiple times in the cinema and I do appreciate them. But there are characterisations and plot points in the films that I very strongly object to, and which I believe Tolkien would have found offensive. The wimpification of Frodo, and the character assassinations of Faramir and Denethor, are three of the biggest departures from canon, and they will forever be lost opportunities. Try listening to the 1981 BBC radio dramatisation of LotR, with Ian Holm as Frodo and Bill Nighy as Sam - it's a much more faithful adaptation, and it's a gem.

[@JavierGomezX]

@@philippalinton5850 I find your reaction equally interesting. I don't think they were missed opportunities but rather, interesting divergences that highlight something different. So I don't think the movies would have been better if they enacted the changes you suggest, but they would simply be different. I like when the core spirit of the source material is preserved just enough, but enough divergence is there to avoid the source material and its adaptations becoming interchangeable. In my opinion, TLotR achieved that amazingly. I enjoy both the books and the films equally yet differently.

[@philippalinton5850]

@@JavierGomezX I have no objection on principle to interesting divergences. I'm not a purist. Overall Peter Jackson's LotR films are pretty faithful to the book. But they could have been even better, had PJ not been given to baroque excess (at times). Among the things I object to is Denethor being turned into a one-dimensional villain. That's not a reflection on John Noble, who was very good in the role. It's a reflection on the screenplay, which missed the mark. I object even more to Frodo's heroism being undermined throughout the films. Frodo's maturity and inner steel are missing. If the films had given me a stronger, braver, wiser Frodo - reflecting more how he is in the book - that would made all the difference.

[@JavierGomezX]

@@philippalinton5850 On the contrary I think those details you find distasteful have their own merits that separates them from the book. A more vulnerable Frodo in more need of support and a one dimensional Denethor have their unique roles to play and have different effects that are not necessarily bad.

[@philippalinton5850]

@@JavierGomezX Book Frodo shows his vulnerability MANY times, especially the closer he gets to Mordor. Vulnerability combined with courage. Why would a film director choose to undermine one of the main heroes of the story (Frodo) while allowing the other hero (Sam) to shine? I read so many comments in this fandom bashing Frodo and praising Sam as the 'true' hero - especially from people who haven't read the books. As for one-dimensional characters supposedly adding something to the story, that's a strange take. None of my favourite films have one-dimensional characters. Film Denethor could still have been a villain without losing his complexity. A skilled screenwriter could convey that. To be clear, I think the LotR screenplays are pretty good - but not perfect.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

I felt more goosebumps from this 40n min video than the whole of TRoP. Absolutely brilliant essay.

[@justinfalzon6854]

Yea this guy's content is stellar.

[@httr94]

For real. Just wow.

[@AS-fu1kd]

Sh. We don't talk about that anymore

[@dizzyheads]

TRoP is the definition of disrespect They even left their trash everywhere in New Zealand damaging it's beautiful land scape and potentially harmed animals you won't see anywhere else

[@Hero_Of_Old]

No one talks about that abomination and its already falling into irelevance like it should

[@TheSuperappelflap]

Galadriels arc is also quite beautiful when taking into account the context it is given in the Silmarillion and other books. She always desired power in middle earth, but rejected Feanor after the kinslaying, choosing instead to travel an arduous journey to middle earth over the helcaraxe. This shows that she always had a line she would not cross, but her desire for power, to rule, was nearly as strong as that conviction. The comment she made that she passed the test, to reject the one ring and thereby her power in the mortal realm, and fade into the west, to the spiritual realm of the undying lands, is just a final conclusion to a story arc that spans many millenia of legends and stories. The moral and philosophical lesson from this is, very bluntly put, that power is not the most important thing in Tolkiens hybrid pagan and christian mythology, but morality, character, principles. I think this is one of the main reasons that his stories appeal to such a wide audience all over the world, that it very obtusely weaves those themes into what is on the surface a fantasy story about elves and dwarves and dragons.

[@GregHaibon-h3t]

"Greater love has no man than he give his life for another." I am glad Boromir was redeemed.

[@remychadwick2467]

Thank you so much for making this video. I first read Lord of the Rings when I was 11. It helped me come alive as a person. It helped me see beyond the darkness of the world I was in, to aspire to something brave and holy. I watch this video at 28 when the world feels the darkest it has in my lifetime. I now understand that Mordor is a real place. Destroying the ring will demand more of those who resist than any strength or wisdom we currently have. The forces of Sauron have grown very powerful. As you reacquaint me with all that is brave and holy in Tolkien's work, I can still glimpse hope - a fool's hope.

[@chiragmehta8212]

You are pretty good god your age. Very deep philosophical views. I hope you are right for I have lost hope in humanity.

[@Siegfried5846]

It has not taught you anything good if it taught you that narrow, black and white worldview

[@remychadwick2467]

If you don’t think there is evil at work in the world - including in your own heart - you are hopelessly unprepared for life. Some things are binary in their essence, Tolkien would have no issue affirming that

[@Siegfried5846]

@@remychadwick2467 I didn't say that. But LOTR teaches you that Sauron is WHOLLY evil, and he isn't fleshed out at all. In Richard Wagner's Ring Cycle, Albrecht's evil can be understood. It is shown WHY he does the things he does. That's clearly a much deeper work. So what can be learned from Lord of the Rings?

[@remychadwick2467]

⁠@@Siegfried5846I think Tolkien is teaching that power inevitably corrupts unless it is restrained and wielded completely in service to others. Evil is just the overwhelming obsession with power and self, which is alive and well in our world. Sauron does actually have a motivational backstory in the Silmarillion

[@sandyr1789]

This is an incredible and beautiful tribute to J.R.R. Tolkien and LOTR. I especially love that you are focusing on the spirituality of the stories, rather than the fantasy. TYSM for sharing your LOTR resources, and quoting from those resources in this presentation!

[@Siegfried5846]

There is more spiritual art that is ignored

[@eugenekhozainov3574]

In the world poisoned with postmodern we need this kind of inspiration more than ever. You are a gift and a blessing, thank you!

[@Hero_Of_Old]

They will fade away, but Tolkien will last forever.

[@leloupdessteppes3228]

We need to revive such values and virtues as much as we can.

[@nicolajane7389]

Guessing you don’t know what post modern is eh?

[@gregorythompson8627]

@@nicolajane7389 Pointing out that a book who's underlying message is inextricably linked to traditional moral values and paradigms, whose own author once described it as a unconsciously fundamentally religious and catholic work, is opposed to an academic paradigm which seeks to "deconstruct" metanarratives such as the values embedded into lord of the rings, somehow demonstrates a lack of understanding about postmodernism?

[@catachandevilfang]

It seeks to deconstruct historical meta narratives that try to claim a monopoly on truth. I love everything here, and in terms of my own faith, I HOPE it’s cosmologically true, but neither I nor you have any way to know. Faith as a byword for hope is empowering. It generates understanding, empathy, and endurance. Faith as a byword for certainty is a brittle sword.

[@Loenthall88]

Thank you for this. You do great honor to Tolken's work, as did Peter Jackson. He'll always have my thanks for translating Tolkien's vision so beautifully to the screen.

[@vertigo2604]

As for me, before this video I loved the stories - both LOTR and Hobbit, because they show simple, but not always obvious things - 1) no matter how small and insignificant you may think, with the right amount of perseverance, ingenuity and luck, you are capable of great things. At the beginning of his journey, Bilbo was perplexed about how he could help the dwarves, but he made perhaps the most decisive contribution to their journey. Not to mention Frodo and his story. 2) You can't choose circumstances but what to do with them, and almost all heroes of the story did their best, of course not without mistakes. 3)Might is not in your physical strength and fighting skills but it your readiness to help your friends, and a loved ones, even in cost of your health and life. That's why Boromir told Merry and Pippin to run away but they instead of that helped him to fight orcs by throwing stones in them. 4)Never give up, even when you think everything go south. A lot of examples: Merry & Pippin captured by orcs, Sam during the fight with Shelob, Aragorn, preparing to fight in Hornburg etc, 5)There are living who deserve death, and dead who deserve life, but anyone can kill, but even the most powerful magician cannot bring dead back to life. The destruction of the ring is the result of Bilbo's mercy who was too kind to kill Gollum.

[@JuanmaAmagliani]

This year I helped organize a spiritual retreat about hope. During the pandemic I lost a couple of friends, one by his own hand, and I watched as the flame seemed to be extinguished from the eyes of my friends, my family and my students. That retreat really did wonders, it was as if I had discovered the colours of a flag that I had marched towards my whole life. I didn't understand why, all throughout this year, I wept through the entirety of this trilogy. Now I do. A mythology of hope. You, my brother, not only are my favourite youtuber, you are also a light in this dark times. And in my eyes you are really doing God's work. Keep the fire going, please. I am forever grateful for its warmth

[@TitanishSpirit]

[@HepsiOyun]

stay strong bro

[@HiMotionAndDesign]

Incredible work!! So moving, and put words and new ideas to the movies I've seen more than any other, by a huge margin. They continually pull me back, again and again, and have done so for 20 years. No other movies have done that for meg. Thank you for making me a bit wiser as to why that is!

[@reecemaopolski231]

I've often wondered how the Lord of the Rings manages to glimmer with such magical, unexplainable beauty that I've yet to find in any other work of literature. But I think you've touched the heart of it; the story of the Ring reflects the everlasting endurance of hope against a backdrop of darkness, and in every character and every situation, love and optimism prevail. I believe we are all born with an innate sense of purity that slowly erodes as the negativity of modern society bends us to its will. We lose touch with that divine naivety we were born with. But then we stumble upon something, or someplace, like Middle Earth. At first we don't know exactly why, but we connect with characters like Sam, Boromir, and Gandalf in a way we never have in previous narratives. There is something about this story that feels like home. Truer than home. This intangible feeling is our innate sense of purity, optimism, and love that has been covered in layers of grime as we sink our roots further into society. The seed of our true, divine selves calls out to us through the words of Tolkien. We unearth the long-forgotten seed of purity and allow its branches to overcome the roots of corruption in our lives, even when society's mechanisms appear more logical than childish optimism. In a way, the Lord of the Rings is the truest story of our innate desires than any other. When we dive into Middle Earth, the magic inside us is rekindled. Let us take that seed of magic into the world we live in, and just as Sam stood against the tide of darkness despite all worldly logic, let us never lose the most beautiful hope of all: fool's hope. Thank you for this beautiful video; you have articulated what I've often felt but never put into words about Middle Earth.

[@tonyshortland8812]

Mr Tolkien brings to life, the Anglo-Saxon world he studied and lectured in. A time, a world, whose heroic deeds are lost to us n the distant mist of legiond. We too will soon be forgotten, but can do little about that.

[@pecm]

For someone that has never put it into words before, you beautifully articulated it. Thank you.

[@hellomate639]

Childlike optimism is different than childish optimism, I might add - this is a key distinction.

[@captainaryan26]

Overcomplicating things. 100 years later, JK Rowling will be worshipped like lady galadriel in literature.

[@hellomate639]

@@captainaryan26 CS Lewis is quite famous, but his works are not quite so impactful

[@alelricstreamer]

This is one of the most beautifully written essays about LOTR i have ever heard. I'm a Tolkien scholar and your respect for his literature is admirable. Beautiful video ❤

[@thestraightroad305]

Thank you for this beautiful and deep commentary on one of the profoundest works of literature in a century…or more. Since I was given the books when I was ten, I have read them and their associated histories and commentaries many many times in the sixty years since then. Work like yours never fails to move me, and to introduce yet more authors I must explore. I’ll be returning to this again I am sure, to immerse myself in the “sanctifying myth” and the contexts you have so skillfully brought together.

[@hgcoin]

Very well done. Notice Tolkien provides a foreshadowed deeper reason for the fall of Gollum in Mt. Doom, quite different than what appears to the 'viewer watching in the moment' as 'random chance' noted in your video. "The ring is trecherous" Frodo says to Gollum, "It will hold you to your promise". This sworn oath by Gollum happens many many chapters before the Mt. Doom scene where Gollum promises not to harm Frodo. "By the precious" says Gollum. In the moment when Gollum directly attacks and harms Frodo, the ring holds Gollum to his promise ending them both. At the next level of analysis, much as you've included in your video: Is Tolkien's observation that evil consumes more than it generates on balance, in the end including itself as that is in the inner nature of what evil is-- the only open question being how much damage and devastation it generates in collateral fashion along the way.

[@davey815]

I'm pretty sure since the ring is literally described as being spiritually linked with Sauron... The ring didn't hold Gollym to a promise(while also yeeting itself in the process). It's all about Gollums desperation, and greed. He takes a blind leap for the precious in it's most exposed moment. You have 2 bearers trying to force the outcome with evil in their hearts. That's the only reason it finally takes a tumble into the mountain. If there was no Gollym, it would have been just like with Isalder, where a friend wouldn't be able to kill a friend. But... Two enemies squabbling over the Ring like baser greedy.. corrupted minds, it was DOOMED. It might have been foreshadowed, but it wasn't the Ring holding good on Gollums promise. It's a piece of Sauron. Hell, even after it's destroyed Sauron is still around he's just neutered

[@hgcoin]

@@davey815 What you write is reasonable of course. Whether it applies as a better description of events has more to do with whether 'ring nature' or 'ring lore' has its own requirements and character. Or, as your suggestion would favor, 'rings' are more along the lines of 'horcruxes' as in Harry Potter -- a more or less pure relocation of some fraction of the maker's not only energy, but character and outlook. Is it possible / necessary that 'rings' have their own requirements for existence, once made have to follow some fixed inner logic-- or are they expressions of the maker and not just fueled by the maker, are they capable of reassessment and complex perception and adaptation to events? While I haven't thought it through entirely, I notice that the elven rings didn't somehow lessen their makers. I suppose to decide this it's necessary to understand how/why the ending of 'the one ring' ended the others, given we are told Sauron had nothing to do with the three elven rings. It's not clear to me why 'the one ring' made later, when ended, would end the three made earlier. Something to think through.

[@glockenspeel5326]

Thank you for reminding me and putting into words so well the many reasons I keep coming back to Middle-Earth and these unforgettable characters. This couldn't have come out at a better time. The part about everyone needing to have faith in each other was spot on and makes the characters so human and timeless.

[@Regfife]

5:46 It should be noted that the book is VERY different here, and arguably better. In the book, Gandalf fully supports Théoden moving the army to Helm's Deep, because fighting an opposing army bigger than yours is much easier when you have walls and they don't. For further details, I recommend the blog "A Collection of Unmitigated Pedantry" which describes in great detail Battle of Helm's Deep, and the differences between the movie and the books.

[@ColoradoStreaming]

I agree. In the books they also rode out to the fords of Isen to meet up with the other cavalry and when that didnt work out they fell back to Helm's Deep.

[@ColoradoStreaming]

"A Collection of Unmitigated Pedantry" Is excellent by the way. Thank you for the recommendation.

[@artugert]

It is not arguably better; it is objectively and undeniably better not just here, but basically throughout.

[@JavierGomezX]

@@artugert I think TLotR and it's films did an amazing job being the same at its core, yet being divergent enough for both to be beautiful in their own way. You can read the books, see the films, and be struck in 2 different ways by 2 different kinds of awe, while still feeling the spirit of the story. Truly amazing.

[@artugert]

@@JavierGomezX I agree. In my opinion, the books are some of the best books ever written, and the movies are also some of the best movies ever made. I thoroughly enjoy both of them. But as far as the story itself is concerned, I think the books are far superior to the movies. I know making movies and working with studios and everything is not easy, so I don't blame them for it. They did an amazing job.

[@DadaNabhaniilanandaTheMonkDude]

Beautifully done - magnificent! I grew up with Tolkien. Gandalf was my moral guide, in effect, Lord of the Rings was my religion. I grew up in New Zealand, so when the films came out we were especially thrilled. I've even taught workshops on The Inner Meaning of Lord of the Rings. But you've taken this to another level! I'll be watching this again, and just subscribed to your channel - I only just discovered it. Thanks so much for this. 🙏🏼❤

[@mannysr67]

Wow. What an amazing explanation! You just taught a year of ethics classes in a single video! Thank you so much for this. It is incredibly helpful to to me in my own desire to create. It captured a complex story arch and broke it down in to something easily digestible in one sitting. You’re an amazing teacher.

[@laralebeu36]

I am in awe. Thank you! Such a good creation of art. I feel like all these video chapters culminated in the end to something as great as the films themselves. Thank you for making me aware of Following Gandalf. I love the spiritual aspects of this story, and I feel it connects me too to something greater. Also, I didn't know it is a remaster. Thank you so much for making time to remake it.

[@Allen2142]

Well. I literally just lost my job so this couldn't have come out at a better time. Lotr and these videos have always worked wonders for me, so thanks! I'm truly glad that you can keep making these videos for all of us out here

[@CreativeIsolation]

Sorry to hear about our job. That stinks. Good luck to you.

[@Allen2142]

@@CreativeIsolation thanks for the consolation! I'm basically fully powered by silver linings, so on to the next thing! Never fear ;D

[@chiragmehta8212]

I hope good things come to you.

[@shraddashradda]

You lost your job because something better is on its way

[@MeiKasai]

So well said. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I'm revisiting Lord of the Rings both through the movies and through the books and in such bleak times they are such a great reminder of the power of hope, friendship, and above all, truth.

[@leprechaunbutreallyjustamidget]

Easily the best and most meaningful story ever written anywhere ever and the adaptation is absolutely flawless.

[@ac_hutchens]

This was one of the best video essays I’ve ever seen on KZbin. Well done, sir. Well done.

[@mosart7025]

Wow! You went there! God's sovereignty vs man's freedom to make choices that matter! You (and Tolkien) very deftly showed the difference between total control and benevolent use of good and bad decisions to weave the final beautiful tapestry. Thank you!

[@kingofdubb2133]

I thought this was really interesting and deep. I'm almost 57, and started reading and listening to the audiobook of LOTR as a kid and have done so at least 20 times since then, and so have spent a lot of time thinking about its deeper meaning. Some of the things you said I had thought about, whereas other things you introduce a new angle, and other things again, I hadn't thought about at all. I loved watching/listening to it, but there is so much I didn't catch, so I have saved it and will definitely listen to it several times. Many thanks for such a thought provoking video

[@Stephen-so9oi]

You're always making soul stirring videos. Never stop bringing magic to things people love.

[@DocFleg]

This was unbelievably good. Really glad I found it. LoTR is my favorite story of all time, and you did this with great honor.

[@AJValentine-uc3pi]

There is so much love here. Your love for Tolkien's story, Tolkien's love for humanity, humanity's love for one another within the story. I return to this video once a week to remind myself of this story's importance to me.

[@CaveFreediving]

Videos like this (and this is the best one) help me to better understand and appreciate LOTR. I love the Christian values and principles portrayed in the story. This story is much deeper than most people understand. Thank you for your work.

[@mikebasil4832]

Thank you for your very special explanation of how The Lord Of The Rings personifies so many timeless values. Especially what qualifies as moral victory. Eowyn is my favourite character.

[@palanthis]

Beautifully done, my friend. Very moving. A love letter to the best novel ever written.

[@ashetonrodgers9220]

This is, quite possibly, the best video I have ever seen. Sincerely, thank you

[@BeowulfCav]

Your insight into this story made me cry like 3-4 times

[@paigeda5]

This video is an incredible combination of inspiration, enlightenment, and deep insight. In a library of great work, this video is one of your very best. Thank you for putting this out.

[@afroceltduck]

As much as I'd like to comment on the content of your work here (great!), what I'm coming away with after watching this is a sense of comfort from all these images. I don't watch these movies all that often, but I have seen them enough times that they are part of me. Just watching clips brings me a sense of joy, comfort, and memory. I could just watch these clips with no sound and be just as entertained. Which leads me to pointing out the great job you did with editing the clips to coincide with and strengthen the narration.

[@jamesjoelholmes4541]

'A faith in each other' yes! We've got to work together to make this world a little better.

[@robertstimmel1100]

Amazing video. You encapsulated the meaning of The Lord of the Rings beautifully. This really is one of the greatest stories ever told. I lost track of how many times I have reread and re-watched these works of art years ago.

[@Joan-ph2es]

Thank you for this well-written video on the meaning in Tolkien's work. I enjoyed listening to it very much.

[@themagicmountain4]

This is marvelous. It brings me through everything about LOTR that makes it my favorite story. I love how this presents the moral victories of many of the characters, how each does as much as they can and the rest is beyond their control but with the "comforting thought" that there are greater powers for good in the world, and yet beyond that, that it is not through blind faith in those powers but through faith in each other that the good is kept alive.

[@jhayes1761]

This video is absolutely gorgeous, truly. The ending brought me to tears. What a wonderful piece you've made.

[@jsyvret472]

One thing I always suspected but is never confirmed is that ulmo had a hand in the destruction of the ring. He was the only valar who didn't completely wash his hands of the affairs of middle earth and in the key moment in mordor when Sam and frodos strength is spent, they find water, and drinking it replenishes them more than one would think from water that flows in mordor. I think that was ulmo giving a gift of strength

[@tayh.6235]

Oh, I love that idea! It does fit

[@shastasilverchairsg]

Ulmo never abandoned the Elves in the First Age. He would not abandon the Free Peoples, though by that time knowledge of the Valar would have been lost or much forgotten and distorted by everyone except the Elves.

[@ludviglidstrom6924]

Just some linguistic information: “valar” is the plural form; the singular form is “vala”. The same goes for “maia” and “maiar”.

[@ColoradoStreaming]

When you read the books it is clear there is an unseen force that gradually nudges the events in favor of the good guys. I think that is Gandalf's main role, to be an emissary of this force and to allow it to play out without forcing anything. Everything from the Rohan attack on the Orcs which caused suspicion of Sauron that Saruman might betray him, to Pippin looking into the seeing stone making Sauron think Saruman has the ring which buys time for Aragorn and Frodo, to Merry and Pippin's interaction with the Ents causing the defeat of Saruman, Faramir seeing Boromir's body which sets the stage for his interaction with Sam and Frodo and of course Gollum and his role. There is this surface hopelessness throughout the story but right below that is almost this growing certainty that the good guys will win.

[@MarvinT0606]

It isn't just Ulmo who takes an active role in the affairs of Middle-Earth, though his intervention has had far-reaching consequences. Varda and the power of her name prevented Sam and Frodo from being murdered on two occasions.

[@jefftharp9177]

This was so well done! It really captures what makes Tolkien’s work so unique. I’d love to see you do a breakdown like this with The Silmarillion.

[@simonidastankovic2627]

The same.

[@electraruby4078]

Oh my goodness. What a story for the time we are going through now Thankyou for your inspiring interpretation.

[@12345678927164]

Thank you for showing me the meanings in the series. I will never forget this video and it’s teachings.

[@tech-adeptzeth1648]

The title alone tells me I am up for a massive treat! I really enjoyed how you used LotR footage for your Archetype videos and the video on the King archetype was my favorite video of yours. I can't wait to start watching this one!

[@sarahallegra6239]

This was just beautiful. So inspiring. I didn’t realize how much I needed it. Thank you ❤

[@beenfaahmed449]

This video in actuance touched my soul and filled it with joy . Thanks a lot for this marvelous analysis and breakdown of the series which changed the way I viewed fiction . Thanks again 👍❤️

[@jeanlanz2344]

Wow! What a deep, knowledgeable, and holy exposition. Thank you and God bless you.

[@simeonwaia]

Thank you for such an insightful video. LOTR may takes place in a fantasy setting, but it is one of the most true stories ever told.

[@sharontzu5]

Thank you so much. I have loved LOTR for years, and I was aware of many of the themes discussed here, but you have deepened my understanding. Furthermore, I never really noticed the underlying guidance of a higher being. And to reinforce what you say about "accidents", in the book, Gollum falling into Mt. Doom with the ring is totally an accident. He falls while jumping wirh joy.. Frodo doesn't push him. On the theme of war, I love Faramir"s words, "I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend."

[@UltraConservativeMonarchist]

I guess it depends on what exactly you mean by "accident". In his letters Tolkien stated that the "Other power" (Eru Illúvatar) took over. Gollum falling in was a result of divine providence. “Frodo deserved all honour because he spent every drop of his power of will and body, and that was just sufficient to bring him to the destined point, and no further. Few others, possibly no others of his time, would have got so far. The Other Power then took over: the Writer of the Story (by which I do not mean myself), that one ever-present Person who is never absent and never named.” -J.R.R Tolkien, letter 192 “Frodo had done what he could and spent himself completely (as an instrument of providence) and had produced a situation in which the object of his quest could be achieved. ” -J.R.R. Tolkien, letter 246

[@sulaimankhan1284]

I’m so glad I discovered this channel. What wonderful contextual insight and examination of the moral and spiritual themes of its mythology. Looking forward to watching the rest 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@joespadaford8736]

Every video you make is damn near perfect

[@RealBenda]

Best video I've seen in years. My heart bursts with so many emotions as tears travel down my face. Thank you, friend.

[@rootkite]

I wept many times watching this. Tolkien's mythos and narratives have been with me my whole life, and these truths you so beautifully express and paraphrase in this video resonate from his characters' choices time and again, on all scales. The Second World is a dimension of love and power. Thank you so much for your own unparalleled work; it is inspiring and coherent at every turn. It may be time for me to reread JRRT's full saga, especially now that Beren and Lúthien and the Fall of Gondolin are also available in full-fledged book form. * Afterthought 1: relating to the canonical supremacy of Ilúvatar, it appears that the One Ring is an attempt by Sauron (Mairon) to commit the highest blasphemy in creating a singular source of ultimate metaphysical strength, as a "mockery" (a common term of Tolkien's) of the true "One" (Quenya: "eru"). Not even the original Dark Lord thought of that, instead coveting existing vessels of might. In fact, there is an interesting parallel between the Ring and the Silmarils; the latter were basically the prime cause of the downfall of Beleriand and of Morgoth, but came as a three-part artifact containing the literal light/power of Valinor and Aman, instead of a single item imbued with the concentrated power of just a single Maia. Perhaps it is analogous to the magic of Aman, but on a different scale; the light in the Silmarils was a reflection of the Two Trees, whereas Mairon was a living being blessed with the Flame Imperishable. (Hypothetical: which would have been more "powerful" in the hands of an Ainu, the Silmarilli or the One Ring? Hmm.) Afterthought 2: I've always been especially intrigued by Tom Bombadil. Tolkien clearly loved him very much since he devoted a big chunk of the FotR to chapters where he is a main character. He is also instrumental in the War of the Ring, as the Ringbearer would have been killed by a Huorn early on without him and Goldberry. It would make sense for me to see them both as rogue Maiar of Yavanna who set up shop in Arda among the very first spirits and immersed themselves in the creation, remaining aloof but deeply knowledgeable and clearly compassionate toward life in Middle-Earth, even choosing to live in the form and conditions of the Children of Ilúvatar (a physical body, clothing, housing, etc.). But he is repeatedly called "Oldest" and "Fatherless" (Sindarin: "Iarwain Ben-Adar"), which can technically only refer to the literal All-Father, i.e. Eru. So if Tom is not a living aspect of Eru, calling himself by these titles would again technically be blasphemous; this might just be a turn of phrase from a mortal perspective though, repeated by Tom ironically, to mirror the speech of mortals to gain rapport, or as a riddle of sorts. It's also interesting that Tolkien's cosmology seems to lack a clear Triune/Trinity, with Eru being "alone"; so perhaps Tom could be something like the Holy Spirit, but in a wild and trickster-esque form. There must be some reason why Gandalf (Olórin) stays with Tom and Goldberry for a long time after the War (if only for Ainurian companionship and integration) and Gandalf goes through the same transformation as the Catholic figure of the Son of God -- perhaps even a Savior, though that would feel reductive in Tolkien's nuanced moral landscape.

[@thescottishkoreanofficial]

Thank you for this LSOO. You must love what you do so much - I thought I loved LOTR - but your love for this is on another level. Respect.

[@themadridpapers]

I thank you kindly for this effort, this is truly an important video on Tolkien's work and what he hoped to convey. This is extremely illuminating and I hope you will stay in this vein in future works.

[@ConstanceToddSmithCreator]

What a beautiful and heartfelt telling of the heart of Tolkien's masterpiece. You have gained a new subscriber. Lucky me to have found this channel.

[@willm6871]

Best lotr video I've ever seen. It's like you are telling the sermon of Tolkien in a way that we can understand clearly

[@rafaelgustavolazarte]

PD: With this I've finally fully understand the meaning of Eucatastrophe. It has this close bond to the Flame, to free will. Thanks!

[@andergo6318]

What a fantastic and uplifting analysis. You have such a wonderful ability to show the true meaning and moral implications of a story. I am glad I have found this channel. All the best and I look forward to more of your work.

[@timgr2007]

Thank you for this. In 39 minutes, you have eloquently and concisely captured the moral world view behind The Lord of the Rings, something I've been unable to articulate, even to myself, after more than 50 years of trying. The closest I could get was this, which I wrote on my Facebook page: "I usually read The Lord of the Rings at least once a year, which translates into about 50 times since I first read it in 1967. People who criticize this book usually say it's escapist -- to which the rest of us respond: 'You say that like it's a bad thing!' Escapism was certainly the reason I first read it, as an agonized adolescent with no idea how to relate to 'normal' humans. In LOTR, I found a world that was internally consistent, with straightforward rules leavened with just enough mystery and ambiguity to keep things interesting. A world of wonders and poetry and humour and grand visions and fascinating details. To this day, I still discover new things in it I don't remember reading before (of course, that could just be declining mental capacity). "As I've matured, and reread the book, I've realized that while Tolkien does offer respite, he does not allow escape. Most of his lessons are hard ones. Power corrupts everyone, even the best of us -- a rule just as relevant today as it was when he wrote LOTR, and before, when Lord Acton made his famous observation. We learn that great triumphs only come at a terrible cost. We learn that nothing endures: not Elves or Ent-wives or Gondolin or Menegroth or Nargothrond or Khazad-dum. Not even hobbits, as a people, are spared from the relentless passage of time. "He offers little comfort to readers: 'I wish it need not have happened in my time,' said Frodo. 'So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.' "But, despite the darkness, Tolkien still returns to the light: home, family, friends, food, ale and wine, songs, and stories... always, stories. And so I return every year to The Lord of the Rings. "As Samwise Gamgee, noble gardener and humble warrior, says, 'The brave things in the old tales and songs, Mr. Frodo: adventures, as I used to call them. I used to think they were things the wonderful folk of the stories went out and looked for, because they wanted them, because they were exciting and life was a bit dull, a kind of sport as you might say. But that's not the way of it with the tales that really mattered, or the ones that stay in the mind. Folk seem to have been just landed in them, usually -- their parts were laid that way, as you put it. But I expect they had lots of chances, like us, of turning back, only they didn't.' "No, they didn't. They didn't turn back. And nor shall I."

[@ThisGuy0903]

What a majestic and beautiful video/analysis.

[@luanhenrique8733]

This is the best video I ever watched in my life. Thank you kind sir.

[@SaiScribbles]

Don't forget Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens were responsible for the script for the film trilogy. Their work in adapting the material faithfully for a modern film audience often gets overlooked.

[@philippalinton5850]

On the plus side, I do think that Fran and Philippa curbed some of Peter's worst excesses. (Peter does like his monsters and trolls, and also moments of crass humour that are not in the spirit of Tolkien). On the negative side, they still apparently thought it was a good idea to weaken Frodo's character and strip him of almost all his heroism, a decision I find incomprehensible.

[@SaiScribbles]

@@philippalinton5850 I suppose they wanted to put more emphasis on the supporting cast and build a theme of Frodo's true strength being in his ability to withstand the ring's evil for so long. But that isn't really a necessity of adaptation to film so I understand why people who are greater fans of the books take issue with it.

[@philippalinton5850]

@@SaiScribbles They left out some key moments of heroism from Frodo - eg his stabbing of the Witch King at Weathertop, his defiance of the Nazgul at Bruinen, his stabbing of a troll in Moria. He takes command over Gollum and is never manipulated by him. All of that is more cinematic and satisfying than Frodo constantly falling over and acting like a wide-eyed damsel in distress. Sam's heroism by way of contrast was left intact. To be honest, I resent Film Sam and find him annoying because of this imbalance. 👀 I read so many comments from 'fans' who call Frodo weak and whiny and that he didn't deserve Sam's loyalty and that Sam should have been Ring-bearer. 🙁 Frodo is the central protagonist (with Sam becoming equal to him in the latter stages of the story). It's such a strange way to treat the hero of the story.

[@SaiScribbles]

@@philippalinton5850 Yeah they could have at least let him get some stabbing in. He is pretty passive in the films. That's never been a problem for me personally, I like the way he and Sam play off each other, but admittedly I've never been able to get through the LOTR books and love the films. But I still appreciate people who are really into Tolkein's lore and writing. And I definitely understand the frustration with film adaptations from other books I love.

[@jobobminer8843]

This was such an incredible and beautiful video essay. Well done.

[@haijiaowang5668]

Oh my goodness man! I have literally watched and read the trilogy for God knows how many times. But it is this day, when I watched your video, that I can say I have truly understood the story and the author! I finally figured it out why Tolkien would say he wanted to create the very religious myth for Britain like what other cultures had, and he did it! I finally understand the meaning when Frodo called Gandalf “the gray pilgrim” when they were in Lothlórien mourning him. And I finally understand the whispering to himself when Frodo first met Gollum, like he was talking to Gandalf. And this is why Frodo is irreplaceable in this story. As innocent, pure, brave, and heroic as Sam is in the movie, he’s not reached the wisdom yet. But Frodo understands Gandalf and learned from him, and became a pilgrim himself. What an enlightening video! Thanks man! And I would say that the story is also Buddhism and Confucianism like. The ring is not apart from us, it’s not the evil from outside, but a part of us. It’s the deepest greedy in ourselves, which causes us to commit all the sins. We have to see it, know it, be aware of it constantly, and be free of its control. This is the final freedom we seek.

[@douglaspintor]

what an amazing video. beautiful interprettion of tolkien´s intention with his work.

[@crikeypie3750]

This video is absolutely amazing! I learned so much...things I hadnt properly noticed, but felt in my heart. There's a reason why this story endures and is so loved. Thank you for your hard work in putting this together.

[@jimmyd4282]

This is one of the best videos I’ve watched in a long time. Amazing breakdown of this masterpiece trilogy 💙

[@sublimehypocrisy]

I remember the old 80s hobbit movie on T.V. i watched it every chance i got. Then i found out it was a book?! I read it immediately. Thenni found out about theblord ofnthebrings and immediately dove in. Ill never forget that day in home room when they announced that The Lord of the Rings was being made into a movie trilogy. I was flaberghasted. Nobody had any idea what it was. My english teacher and i were the only ones excited. Thank you for making this video.

[@pasileino315]

Excellent video! I would like to add a relevant bit of Lord of the Rings’ and its etymology. Tolkien travelled Finland extensively several times and used our ancient national epic Kalevala as inspiration for events, characters and also Finnish words/names in the Lord of the Rings and other works. A brilliant man!

[@twitch.101]

I’ve been watching a lot of LOTR media lately, but this has been the best. Thank you

[@simonidastankovic2627]

BRAVO AGAIN and THANKS AGAIN !!! The best presentation, interpretation & sincretic analysis of the precious and ingenious Tolkien's masterpiece, (both a spiritual and mythological Epic) I have ever seen or heard, at least on You Tube. Hope we'll see many more contributions of yours regarding Tolkien or other great spiritual Epic works that are inlightening us and inspiring us to be better. Thanks again.