The Great Eagles of Middle-earth | Tolkien Explained

[@NerdoftheRings]

What do you think would have happened if they took the Eagles to Mordor?

[@annaroselarsen4218]

They would probably get kill by bows and arrows

[@TheCinderestBlockAround]

Failure. Total. Absolute. Failure.

[@wrestlebro69]

😭

[@oteris2924]

The Fellbeasts would feast.

[@TheCinderestBlockAround]

@Pangea06 because the more powerful being in charge of the ring the more dangerous it is. Eagles are like one step down from the Maiar I believe so they are pretty powerful. Plus their size Sauron would totally catch them

[@lizzies4964]

One of my favorite parallels between The Hobbit and LOTR is Bilbo and Pippin both seeing the Eagles join the battle and saying "The Eagles are coming!" chills every time. Great video as always!

[@Beryllahawk]

Hearing about the Eagles that lived in Numenor gave me a chill too - imagine one of the Faithful having to say, "The Eagles are leaving." Or worse yet. "The Eagles are gone."

[@genghisgalahad8465]

Well, the Hobbit was made after LotR. It’s a borrowed line not really a parallel...

[@anterovipunen3415]

@@genghisgalahad8465 XDDDDDDDDDDD

[@ToxynCorvin8008]

The line was said first in The Hobbit book.

[@admiralsquatbar127]

It's like poetry, it rhymes.

[@alivewtwmusic]

The Eagles were of Manwe. Manwe refused to directly help with events in Middle-Earth, sending instead the Istari. The times the Eagles helped others, they chose to help, and it was the Istari, as well as Galadriel and Elrond. I always felt that Tolkien deciding to have the Eagles show up to save the day at the Gates of Mordor was Tolkien's way of saying Manwe finally decided to send a direct blessing to aid in the war against Sauron. The Eagles timing was perfect, and it was such a blessing to have them to save Frodo and Sam at the end. An author's device to get his heroes out of an impossible situation, sure. But much more than that was Tolkien's on convictions, and I do believe the Eagles showing up when they did were blessings from Manwe. Now, having them cross Mordor weeks earlier, when the Orc archers, Ringwraith's on wings, and the fires and devices of Sauron were on full watch would have been suicide. If they avoided human archers in Mirkwood, why would anyone think they'd fly over a fully fortified Mordor?

[@bobo577]

My guess is Ignorance, that’s why some audience members would think the Eagles would be a viable option, I used to think that way but in the end, the idea is to get to Mordor as covertly as possible. I think Sauron would have been far more dangerous had he learnt that the Fellowship planned to destroy the ring rather than use it. That and considering Boromir succumbed to madness of the ring just by being in its presence, the eagles would suffer the same way.

[@ChiaraSiasat]

The Eagles always manage to show up when a eucastrophe is about to happen. And they are definitely the eyes and ears for the Valar on Middle Earth. Thanks for another amazing video Matt!!

[@juanantoniogragasin1685]

Just imagine a fight between Thorondor and Earendil vs. Ancalagon The Black. Imagine also being a foot soldier in the War of Wrath and you look up into the skies seeing these mighty creatures of dragons and eagles do battle for the fate of Beleriand. I wouldn't blame the foot soldier if he just stood his ground while looking up in shock and awe...

[@Enerdhil]

Thorondor must have fought Ancalagon. The dragon has the advantage of spewing fire, but they ended their battles in stalemate. It took Earendil and Vingilot to take Ancalagon down.

[@ofgondor5312]

@@Enerdhil 180' wing span is insane but Ancalagon crushed mountains.

[@markoligaya560]

@@ofgondor5312 it would most likely be david/goliath type of fight.

[@ofgondor5312]

@@markoligaya560 I’m not opposed to it, I just really want to see it; not the less-than-a-paragraph-length description of it in Chapter 24 of the voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath.

[@Enerdhil]

I wonder how exactly Earendil did kill Ancalagon. He was in a ship, so a sword would be ridiculous. An arrow would be another possibility, but that is like killing an elephant with a toothpick. A spear would be better if he could hurl the spear into the heart of Ancalagon. All those weapons seem against such a foe. That is why I think Earendil steered Vingilot straight into Ancalagon and impaled him with the swan that is carved into the front of the ship, until a gaping hole spilled forth his blood and guts and he fell upon Thangorodrim like a bolt of lightning, utterly destroying it.

[@indio4-215]

It seems as though Manwë continued to watch over Middle-earth through his eagles even into the Third Age. And on the Eagles not bringing Frodo and Sam to Mordor themselves, I personally believe it involves Sauron putting countermeasures in place in the event that the Eagles were to go there for whatever reason. The Eagles are not invincible by any means so naturally, they won't fly into danger recklessly. And Sauron would be a fool to dismiss the Eagles since he would know what they can potentially do for the opposing side since Sauron was there in the First Age when the Eagles were causing trouble for his master with Thorondor, the greatest of the Eagles, leading his brethren. And as for a video suggestion, perhaps you could do one for the Nameless things of Moria.

[@cecaloather8701]

And the Eagles themselves are powerful. They won't dare to bear the Ring themselves even indirectly.

[@puxtbuck6731]

@@cecaloather8701 ah damn.. an eagle dark lord.. that’d be so cool

[@Cancoillotteman]

Also also, the eagles being basically of near Maiar status, if one of them came in proximity to the ring, I am almost sure Sauron would feel and watch them, and all secrecy would be lost

[@YouTubestolemyhandlethosemofos]

@@Cancoillotteman yes no one talks about this. The whole plan was centered around Souron not knowing they were going to destroy the ring!

[@chris_arrows]

I also read somewhere that the reason why manwe didn’t want the eagles to fly frodo to mordor is because he didnt want sauron to capture them and twist them into evil creatures to add to his army. But im not sure. Seems pretty logical though

[@rangerofthenorth1970]

I'm so happy right now!!!!!!! Eaglesre are one of mine's most favorite beign's in all of legendarium and my favorite moment with them is in An Un. Jry, when Eagles are carrying company to Carrock, that beatifful and angelic scene with beautifull and angelic music!!!!!! So epic!!!! @Nerd of the Rings thank you for this video!!!!!! Just keep up with more and more!!!!

[@ColonelPanic007]

Yes, the eagles are really amazing creatures. When things are darkest, it seems the eagles of Manwë appear.

[@213byron]

And they had time to make hits like “Hotel California”

[@matthewterlaga3022]

That image of a giant eagle fighting the dragon is just about the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.

[@control4050]

I have witnessed some mighty eagles during my school days. They'd swoop down and steel food from Kids who used to eat, during lunch time. Ours was an open area outdoors where everybody used to have lunch with eagles and crows looming over our heads. Feeding them was like inviting trouble.

[@irynarovna]

I'm so happy you made this video! I adore Eagles and they are definitely under appreciated characters. Thanks for showing them some love ;)))))

[@ColonelPanic007]

Very well done. A thoroughly captivating video about the great eagles of Middle-earth.

[@TheCinderestBlockAround]

Especially with all the theories about taking the eagles to Mordor I’m constantly outsmarting and just the mysteriousness around the eagles themselves makes me look forward to this video immensely. Thank you for the informal (but entertaining) videos!

[@swordofstabbingold]

Yeah. Sauron has air forces, so how exactly are the very few eagles to survive?

[@micahp.4356]

You, Yoystan, and Robert and the rest; you all are great. Love all of your content.

[@Benjammin1210]

I keep reading and I keep watching these videos. The Tolkien world is just too cool. Can't deny it.

[@M4nicH3dgehog]

Thank you for all of the work that you do on these videos, the quality and detail is amazing.

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks so much!

[@EuclidGamer]

Genuinely I appreciate your literary talent combined with the effort put into visual storytelling. It would be hard for anyone to mistake you for anything other than a true Lord of the rings fan through and through. Glad I found your channel.

[@nathaniellong4281]

I've seen many videos debunking using the Eagles to take the Ring to Mordor, all with excellent points; I'm eager to see your point as well.

[@rubenmenkveld8405]

You're videos are like a gateway to middle-earth giving me an almost therapeutical experience. Thank you!

[@kandyrogers9113]

I would kill for a live action film about the great eagles and their creation story and missions in middle earth!!!

[@KKlawm]

So glad you're going to cover why the eagles can't just fly into Mordor. I've covered it in youtube comments before (there's at least three off the top of my head that are applicable) but it'd be nice to get a youtube video on that.

[@manuela1986]

Dangit, now I have Hotel California stuck in my head again 🎶🦅

[@brianmiller1077]

If any of their songs were appropriate it would be Journey of the Sorcerer kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2e9oJiwmNZkiKM Bonus for having the HGttG having Martin Freeman (Bilbo) as Arthur Philip Dent. OK OK not as humable as Hotal California I admit

[@aarushpalit504]

I'm getting the silmarilion! After listening to the ebook👌👌

[@galactus9678]

I have got the book it's great

[@ytbmax9371]

I have to say you are the best Lotr channel. The other channels are good aswell but the way you tell things is just nice to listen too.

[@brandondiotte2104]

If the Fellowship did ride the eagles into Mordor the most likely outcome would be the groups total defeat. Not because of the eagles being weak, as in aerial combat they could compete with and even defeat dragons, but because a convocation of eagles bearing nine individuals would have broadcasted the Fellowships intent to Sauron. Given the amount of time it would take them to fly from Rivendell to Mordor, even if they flew in the a straight line the whole way there it would still allow Sauron ample time to amass his forces at Mount Doom at which point no matter who the fellowship included from Middle-Earths long list of heroes they would have been overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of orcs, trolls, and other foul races before Frodo could even enter into the Crack of Doom.

[@desmonides]

@Han Boetes Gollum is the real hero of LOTR.

[@bywhiskey5789]

Its the same reason why they didn't bring Glorfindel on the Fellowship. It wasn't enough just to get to mount Doom. They had to get there without Sauron knowing they intend to destroy the ring.

[@erickpoorbaugh6728]

Also, they couldn't have flown nonstop. Gwaihir couldn't even bring Gandalf from Orthanc to Rivendell. They would have had to land and rest several times, which would have made them vulnerable. Even landing on ledges wouldn't be a defense, since there would be places where they'd likely have to stop without ledges (unless they followed the Misty Mountains south to the White Mountains, and then the White Mountains eastward, which would bring them near Orthanc, Edoras, Minas Tirith, and Minas Morgul), and the Nazgul had flying mounts anyway.

[@davidspring4003]

Also, the eagles are, I believe, only slightly less powerful than the Maiar. They'd have been corrupted by the One and Gwaihir would have become an avian Dark Lord.

[@Thechezbailey]

Not with 10,000 eagles could you do this. It is folly.

[@specialk5353]

Just wanna say first off, love the channel and content and second off, thank u for taking the time to do this. One of our nightly deals is for my gf and I to pick at least 2 of these to watch and it makes us both enjoy the story even more. So thank you for doing this again, you and your vids have brought myself and my lady closer together as well.

[@NerdoftheRings]

That is so great to hear! Glad you both are enjoying the channel!

[@mohanicus]

they are my favorite character in all of the movies. gandalf's rescue of frodo and sam in mordor at the end of return of the king was beautifully shot

[@dandsch]

Lol I Ioved how the video ended. Thought we were gonna get a quick explanation on the eagle thing and then he drops the subscribe thing. I am definitely looking forward to that video!

[@manuela1986]

My favorite part ofc is Fingon saving Maedhros from that mountain wall with help of an eagle. That whole part, him searching and then both singing to find each other... So extra but so poetic 😁😁♥️

[@Enerdhil]

The singing comes up in LotR when Samwise sings out of despair and Frodo hears him and sings so Sam could figure out where he was.

[@queenberuthiel5469]

Best bros.😭

[@Sephiroth144]

Of course, whether it was singing or SINGING, since we've seen the Ainur and the Elves singing songs with power in them, (and it wouldn't be crazy if the Eagles had songs of power as well), is a question...

[@12classics39]

⁠​⁠@@EnerdhilLúthien did the same thing to locate Beren in Tol-in-Gauhroth and Beren did the same thing to let her know where he was.

[@awakened_link1041]

Absolute unsung heroes throughout the legendarium. I'd love to learn what became of them in the Fourth Age.

[@michaelblower7363]

I guess they decided to leave Men to their own devices. As magic was slowly dying out in Middle-Earth, there was probably little need for the Valar to watch over it again.

[@PancakeBoi]

@@michaelblower7363 i think they stayed, because they are tasked with watching the world of men against evil, but maybe their roll was diminished. With elves leaving, and major dark lords defeated, they probably just stayed as messengers and watchers, keeping an eye on men until the end.

[@erikbender1967]

Once again an excellent video. This is my Saturday getaway at least for a few minutes. Love these videos, keep up the excellent work.

[@nancylu02]

Thank you for doing this series! Long live the great eagles!

[@timbotook6447]

Love the Eagles! Especially their help during the fall of Gondolin!

[@missmahinay5297]

Instantly subscribed when I heard the name of the channel! 💛💛💛

[@ninsuhnrey]

Same.😌

[@Elijah-Bravo]

I love how you show all those art pieces as you tell the story, really beautiful stuff.

[@chap8080]

Listening to these videos as I go sleep, nice work man

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks so much!

[@mathisdenis]

What an incredible video! I am so excited for the big debunk! Always found that "fly to mordor" theory was simplictic and not in the ways of Tolkin's work.

[@EvilSandwich]

The Eagles are great, because they make a fantastic way to spot someone who has actually read the books and understood them, and someone who just watched the movies and/or skimmed the books and could only comprehend the absolute surface-level of what he was reading. It's pretty much a meme at this point on how "Why didn't the Eagles just fly them to Mordor?" is considered to be Baby's First Know-Nothing, Know-It-All pedantic, bad faith, hot take in the Tolkien fandom. If they really apply themselves and try hard, eventually they'll move on to other pedantic topics, like arguing over whether balrogs had wings or not.

[@JaGEM09]

Totally loved this, it was great to know about these great eagles!

[@Sara.m.t]

I’ve so been waiting for this!! Aaaaaaaaa i’m so excited! Thank you, Matt 😁

[@ParabolicDavid]

Such an awesome channel! Love NERD OF THE RINGS. Keep up the great work

[@nawalathhariansyah3263]

I always wanted to know more about these guys, Thanks for the video!

[@shehansenanayaka3046]

We always appreciate your hard work and dedication towards these videos. Love your videos. They're brilliant and wonderful and also awesome.

[@frenchroast1355]

The eagles were second only to Aragorn as my favorite characters in the LOTR and Gwaihir my childhood hero. Loved this vid.

[@admiralsquatbar127]

The Eagles didn't bother with most of the second age, they were too busy writing Hotel California.

[@some_gh0st]

I’m curious how frequent it was for an eagle to fall in battle. They sound like an elite Air Force that has never failed a mission. I wonder if each eagle was able to body anything and everything or if they had mass numbers at some points. Such loyal and noble beings whichever the case.

[@lorekeepermeerah]

I love these videos so much

[@NerdoftheRings]

Great idea! I'll add the Maeras to my list!

[@lorekeepermeerah]

@@NerdoftheRings Yay!

[@mermaidprincess9411]

Yes PLEASE

[@SJKonrad]

Everything you make is good. Thank you for having this channel.

[@DarkAquaVII]

I can't get over some of the beautiful illustrations. 😍 Thank you Nerd of the Rings for making this beautiful video! Keep these videos up! 💛

[@vainor797]

Let's go I've been wanting this video for soooo long thank u !

[@richardtorres312]

Fascinates me in how Tolkien was thinking when he was writing about the great eagles. They could personify something incredibly mystical or ethereal to him.

[@TheMarcHicks]

Technically speaking, its Hurin who first "betrayed" Gondolin-albeit unwittingly. As without him revealing its general location, Maeglin might never have gotten himself caught.

[@MrDrooshKa]

Always enjoy your vids. Your cadence comes across very informative and soothing.

[@emperornapoleon6204]

I can’t wait to hear the debunking video! I find it so silly that people bring that up!

[@infocarl6081]

You already know that the eagles is one of the greatest creation in Middle Earth when they are on par with the dragons

[@AnnaMarianne]

I hadn't realized Gwaihir was that old, nor remembered that he participated in the story of Beren and Lúthien.

[@darthveider21]

Many Thanks for your job!! We learn a lot of things about our favorite world! A Huge LOTR fan from Greece!

[@navvesegal9593]

I got a question to those who know LotR lore really well: Why did Eru Iluvatar interfere with arda directly because of the actions of Sauron twice (sinking Numenor and reviving Gandalf) but didn't interfere when Melkor fought the valar? If I remember correctly Eru even stated that nothing that Melkor did will ruin his plans for the world.

[@RedDev3M]

Really interesting question and would love to hear what the answer could be.

[@nixiontm]

probably because sauron was a bigger threat than melkor, not because he was more powerful, but because he was smarter and cunning

[@TheRedBook]

He didn't sink Númenor because of Sauron, he sank it because of the actions of the Númenóreans. Even with Sauron hastening their downfall and being a part of it, they still made the choice, and only the Faithful were saved. As for Gandalf. He intervened to aid in the plan of the Valar. Gandalf sacrificed himself at the moment of the plan's failure and Eru took it up and enhanced it through Gandalf. It's almost like leaving the Valar to it but then aiding them in completing their plan which was a good one but failed for various reasons. And he didn't intervene to do anything against Melkor because Melkor was free to do as he pleased. Eru wouldn't create the Ainur to have various gifts and the possibility of a fall and then smite any who fell. He sees the bigger picture. With the evil of Melkor, good would come from it, with despair would come hope. Melkor is a part of the plan, an instrument in the "devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined".

[@navvesegal9593]

@@TheRedBook Interesting answer, though I still don't understand why he had to interfere with Numenor/Gandalf if his plan was so intricate as to make a being powerful enough to be a god yet powerless against the destiny chosen for him.

[@navvesegal9593]

@@nixiontm Melkor was extremely cunning. He was able to convince all the valar that he has changed, Corrupt Feanor and cause a headache to elves and men for a long time not just becuase he was incredibly powerful

[@rothbardfreedom]

Tolkien in The Hobbit: "Then the Eagles came and saved the day" Reader: "Wait, what?"

[@knuckles543]

always the bloody eagles! did sauron not enlist enough archers? cause there was a distinct lack of them at the black gate and the battle of the morannon (for both armies)

[@JohnSmith-un9fy]

I had a rare chance of meeting the eagle used in the filming of the LOTR movies. I can't remember his name but he was huge. Truly massive bird.

[@glorfindel4945]

An amazing video Matt! I would love to see a full video about the Ents and the Ent wives.

[@MarshWaha]

I love your videos, you do some great work!

[@ubiras1000]

great content as always. I would like to see Huan the hound of Valinor next.

[@alicehuseland6846]

Don’t forget about interaction between Gandalf and Gwaihir/the great eagle referencing a previous time when he got injured by an arrow and Gandalf saved him.

[@humayunkabir5837]

The eagles are the unsung heroes in the middle earth. They always came in the end to help when everything seems lost and hopeless.

[@TiagoRamosVideos]

Amazing work, thanks 👏

[@Djentle-Rain]

Can't wait for the video why the Eagles can't if just flew the ring to Mordor!!! Keep up the excellent content

[@Lemminjoose]

Holy shit...a movie about Thorondor could be freaking amazing.

[@frankd4581]

Please make a video explaining The Giants Of Middle Earth please

[@Singe0255]

I always thought of the eagles as a 'Deus ex machina' of sorts. Not necessarily from a plot laziness perspective, but more as a homage to source literature that employs such plot devices.

[@awakened_link1041]

I can see that. The Great Eagles seemed to always be reserved as a "last resort" when there were no other options left. I like that about them. People forget they're their own sentient race and not Middle-Earth's personal taxi service.

[@TheRedBook]

Think of them less as a Deus Ex Machina and more of a poignant moment reflecting a eucatastrophe - a sudden happy turn in a story which pierces you with a joy that brings tears. After centuries and centuries of evil, sorrow, and suffering, you get a moment like this when disaster is averted in one moment but it requirse an optimistic view of the unfolding of events in the narrative over seeing it as lazy. Tolkien knew what he was doing by using them.

[@cmcoreas]

I've been waiting for this!! Landroval!

[@tommyshelby1489]

Love your videos keep them coming please.

[@Sanguinary797]

A wingspan of 180 feet is crazy, Thorondir is basically a Kaiju.

[@galactus9678]

I love how he says Earendil!!

[@anooprana2346]

Do a video on castle and strong holds of middle Earth

[@brianmiller1077]

How many Minas Tiriths were there?

[@Sage2000]

For some reason I have tears in my eyes. So much dark in our real world… the idea of angelic creatures watching over us somehow is appealing to me at the moment

[@Hakudan2]

Hahahah I love how we all have been having that damn question about flying directly to mordor with the ring (or flying the dwarves and bilbo to misty mountains) but we will have to wait for a video of that XD smart! I can't wait to watch it when it's finished.

[@abelnazreen5719]

I seriously can't stop watching this video. Thanks man T_T

[@kenzotako6334]

I’m really excited this video ❤️❤️ Thank you so much Good for next videos !

[@kkurisua]

Nice video!

[@jamiegregg9211]

awesome cool vid Matt enjoyed it looking forward to your next one

[@mechengineer4life]

Eagles: Tolkien’s SAS and MI6 all rolled into one badass package!!

[@fxmikes4522]

Eagle vs dragon. Hell yeah

[@Thechezbailey]

In the books the eagles can talk, and they don't seem like the types to give you a ride into the Land of Raining Lava just because you asked nicely. The rings gets heavier as you approach Mt. Doom -- that's a fact, so the eagles can't carry it alone. They might be able to carry the ring bearer like Sam does, but there are still wraiths on wings, poison orc arrows, toxic fumes, and a well-guarded volcano at the end of the line, all trying to stop you. Not with ten thousand eagles could you do this. It is folly.

[@valentinom.4292]

It's a very risky gamble, so no wonder they didn't do it.

[@sigmasquadleader]

Folly? What about walking in to Mordor, Boromir?

[@elanacurl]

Ty for this video sweetheart and all the others, enjoying your channel

[@guianpaulobaldovino196]

OHHH I'VE BEEN WATING FOR THIS!

[@Anthintendo]

Comic reviewer Linkara of Atop The Fourth Wall said that his biggest problem with the eagles is that the movies don’t really explain them (this was during a review of a comic adaptation of The Hobbit). So thanks for making this video.

[@DeiHumble]

My favorite grew right there, the Clutch grew. when you least expect certain death , the eagles show up, and whoop that @$$ . keep up the good job and keep it coming NOTR!!!

[@phiology1983]

Happy Saturday!

[@juanchoguerrero9143]

The Eagles are coming

[@corybohn2013]

Makes me cry every time I see, “The eagles are coming!”-pippin

[@sonofflames8065]

Please make a video about Beorn and the Beornings, and their full history. ☺️🙏🏼

[@forestcityterrain]

Can you please do a SHIRE video? the history of it ect..

[@kreeepyk0]

Ohh! Is that where Crissaegrim comes from? It's a terrific weapon in Castlevania Symphony of the Night.

[@kreeepyk0]

Looks like in other games it's called Valmanway which sounds like another Tolkien reference

[@stephenkrus]

Those #Eagles are #MVPs 👑✨👍

[@dalestark3343]

Great Video!!

[@NathanS__]

Community's second DnD episode: Abed "The sky-spiders take you as far as their complex religion allows."

[@joespeigle1240]

Haven't seen your video on the subject yet, but my reasoning for why the eagles couldn't fly the ring to mount doom is simple. The evil of the ring would disrupt the eagles to the point of confusion, and also the ring at that height in the sky may send some kind of signal or make itself drop from the sky at the most opportune moment like it did from Isildur and Gollum

[@michaelormerod1898]

omg went looking for the next video only to realise this was only uploaded 14 hours ago!

[@corysinman]

Could you do a video discussing the potentially analogies, allegories, and metaphors that Tolkien was trying to reflect on from real world events. I’ve heard LOTR was partially an analogy for aspects of World War II. Thank you and wonderful content!

[@scottwendt9575]

Someone once mentioned to me how the eagles seemingly always waiting until the very last moment to enter the fight was an intentional parallel to the great power of the West… The United States. That Tolkien held the US military in great awe and respect, but at the same time maybe felt they could at times have responded a little quicker the great wars could have been less destructive. The Eagles seem to share a similar position in his literature. They have clearly overwhelming power in battle, they only arrive when defeat and death is imminent, their power is legendary throughout the world, they can strike anywhere at will and they will decide when, where and who to help. This was very nearly the position the US held in the post World War period.